Feasibility of a Global Positioning System to Assess the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Polo Performance

Abstract

The implementation of global positioning systems (GPS) has become widely supported in a variety of sports, due to the insight it provides into athlete workloads, training parameters and playing styles. Despite widely reported use of GPS in equine settings, few studies have quantified the reliability of spatiotemporal characteristics in a dynamic environment of high intensity gameplay. Due to the unique game demands of Polo for both riders and horses, this study aimed to assess the inter-unit reliability between a traditional GPS placement between the shoulder blades and a Polo specific placement on players' belts, in order to inform the feasibility of GPS implementation within Polo. GPS data was collected across 37 unique rider-horse interactions. GPS metrics included distance covered, speeds attained and number of sprints performed. Data was further categorised into respect to equine specific speed zones. All metrics agreed across multiple reliability measures and were deemed qualitatively reliable (ICC>0.70 and CV<10%), with sprint count displaying 100% agreement between units. Findings suggest the spatiotemporal characteristics of Polo can be reliably measured via GPS through a traditional or belt-based placement, which leaves the decision of GPS placement at riders' discretion.

All things being equal: spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s 16-goal Polo

“…Data were collected from a total of chukkas across both Open and Women's Polo tournaments (n = 130 and n = 128, respectively; no a priori sample size calculations were performed but this represents two entire tournaments across multiple teams) using player worn GPS monitors (VX Sport) set to equestrian mode with a sampling frequency of 10 Hz and a speed range of 0 -60 km/h. We have previously shown this method to produce reliable results for the metrics assessed in the present investigation [10], when mounted either between the players' shoulders or worn on players' belts.…”

“…These incidents all slow down Polo play, therefore fewer metres are accrued in higher speed zones, so the differences between Open and Women's play have occurred in spite of longer chukka lengths in Open Polo. A further limitation of this study is the use of player worn GPS, whilst this is the most feasible strategy for Polo due to multiple horse changes [10], it means braking and turning forces cannot be calculated at the joint and thus our work does not directly support that of Tan and Wilson [19] who calculated the forces experienced…”

“…Previously, we have shown increases in average speed attained and distance covered per chukka [7] as cumulative handicap increases in Open Polo; cumulative handicap may also affect high intensity activities [7], imposing additional internal physiological loads upon horses and players [8][9][10][11][12]. Thus, an understanding of the equine demands of Women's Polo is required.…”

The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0 &ndash; 24 Goal Polo

“…The speed range permits for derivation of speed zones (see 2.3 Data Processing and Analysis) but does not set an absolute upper limit upon data captured. These devices have previously been reported as reliable independent of unit position (CV <10% and ICC>0.70 [15]), for use in Polo [7]. GPS units were turned on 30 minutes prior to the start of each game to allow sufficient time for satellites to be located and a secure connection to multiple satellites established.…”

“…Despite reported widespread use in equine settings [4][5][6], the use of GPS to provide tactical or training value in equestrian sport appears limited or underreported. This may be due to a 2 of 10 perceived inability to interpret the data obtained [5][6][7] hence, most published GPS use in equestrian settings consists of methodological reports, typically pertaining to reliability [7][8][9][10][11].…”