Effect of Changing Match Format from Halves to Quarters on the Performance Characteristics of Male University Field Hockey Players

Abstract

The study examined whether the performance characteristics of male university field hockey players differed when the match format was 2 × 35 min halves compared to 2 × 2 × 17.5 min quarters. Thirty-five male university field hockey players (age 21.2 ± 3.0 years, height 1.81 ± 0.07 m, body mass 75.1 ± 8.9 kg), competing at national level in the UK, were monitored over 52 matches played across the 2018–2019 (2 × 35 min halves) and 2019–2020 (2 × 2 × 17.5 min quarters) seasons using 15 Hz Global Positioning System units and heart rate monitors. Total distance, high-speed running distance (≥15.5 km·h−1), accelerations (≥2 m·s−1), decelerations (≤−2 m·s−1), average heart rate and percentage of time spent at >85% of maximum heart rate were recorded during both match formats. Two-level random intercept hierarchal models (Match—level 1, Player—level 2) suggested that the change in format from 2 × 35 min halves (2018–2019 season) to 2 × 2 × 17.5 min quarters (2019–2020 season) resulted in a reduction in total distance and high-speed running distance completed during a match (by 221 m and 120 m, respectively, both p < 0.001). As no significant cross-level interactions were observed (between season and half), the change from 35 min halves to 17.5 min quarters did not attenuate the reduced physical performance evident during the second half of matches (total distance: −235 m less in second half; high-speed running distance: −70 m less in second half; both p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that the change in match format did alter the performance characteristics of male university field hockey players, but the quarter format actually reduced the total distance and high-speed running distance completed during matches, and did not attenuate the reduction in performance seen during the second half of matches.

External loads associated with Hockey5s: the new version of U16 youth field hockey

“…The change in format was associated with a reduction in external load among both female 13 and male 11 players. The average distance covered by male players was also reduced with the 4-quarter compared to the traditional format, 6456 ± 820 m to 8388 ± 683 m 11,14 . The modi ed format was also associated with a reduction in distance covered among defenders, mid elders and attacks, although the lowest intensity values were observed among the defenders compared to players in the other two positions 14 .…”

“…Evaluation of the characteristics of external competitive loads in the traditional eld hockey format (2 x 35 minute periods, 11 players per team) noted variation by level of competition, position and tactical solutions; overall male players covered an average distances varying from 6,000 to 10,000 m in a game [7][8][9][10][11] . The variation among players was related to differences in team tactics and/or applicable game rules, among other factors.…”

“…The variation among players was related to differences in team tactics and/or applicable game rules, among other factors. The most recent changes introduced for seniors included a change in the game format -four quarters of 15 minutes in contrast to two halves of 35 minutes 11 , while the number of players (11 people per team) and pitch size were retained 12 . The change in format was associated with a reduction in external load among both female 13 and male 11 players.…”

Physical, physiological demands and movement profiles of professional men’s field hockey games

“…It is challenging to compare the HSRD data across studies because there is no standardised HSRD threshold. The commonly used HSRD thresholds in men's hockey were 15 kmh -1 , 15.5 kmh -1 , and 19 kmh -1 (Casamichana, Morencos, Romero-Moraleda, & Gabbett, 2018;Ihsan, et al, 2021;Lam, et al, 2021;Morencos, et al, 2018;Sunderland & Edwards, 2017;White & MacFarlane, 2013).…”

“…There was only one study that investigated the heart rate data for men's team, however, the participants in the study were student athletes, not professional athletes. Meanwhile, the game format was different from the standard Federation of International Hockey (FIH) rules (Lam, et al, 2021). Field hockey is a fast-paced and intermittent team sport that allows unlimited substitutions during the game.…”