Running Demands and Activity Profile of the New Four-Quarter Match Format in Men's Field Hockey

Abstract

Ihsan, M, Yeo, V, Tan, F, Joseph, R, Lee, M, and Aziz, AR. Running demands and activity profile of the new four-quarter match format in men's field hockey. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-This study determined the running demands of men's field hockey with regards to the revised four-quarter match format. Twenty-eight male field hockey players were equipped with global positioning system units while competing in 14 competitive international games over a 1-year period. All matches allowed for unlimited substitutions, and consisted of four 15-minute quarters (i.e., Q1-Q4). A progressive decline in total distance (TD) was observed in Q2 (2,072 ± 141 m) to Q4 (2,055 ± 212 m) compared with Q1 (2,171 ± 195 m, p < 0.05). However, the decline in TD was due to decreases in low-intensity activity (<15 km·h, p < 0.05), as high-intensity running (HIR; >15 km·h) distances were similar throughout Q1-Q4 (p = 0.263). Positional data demonstrated a similar profile, where significant decreases in TD, but not in HIR, was observed across all playing positions at some point over the 4 quarters (p < 0.05). DEF accumulated the lowest amount of TD (7,631 ± 753 m), HIR (2,257 ± 498 m), and high-intensity decelerations (60 ± 9, >-2m·s) compared with MID and FWD (p < 0.05). By contrast, FWD performed the highest amount of HIR (3,090 ± 565 m) and high-intensity accelerations (110 ± 9, >2 m·s) compared with MID and DEF (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that although there was a progressive decline in TD over the 4 quarters of match play, high-intensity running performance (i.e., HIR and high-intensity acceleration) was maintained throughout the match regardless of playing position.

High-Intensity Acceleration and Deceleration Demands in Elite Team Sports Competitive Match Play: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…In the forward position, differences between high-intensity accelerations (0.9 n·min) and decelerations (1.0 n·min) were trivial, suggesting that some forward players may complete more high-intensity accelerations than decelerations during match play. Previous studies have also shown that forward positions accelerate to higher intensities more frequently than defenders and midfielders [79, 80]. This difference could be due to the unlimited interchange rule that reduces effective playing time; meaning less total distance and energy is expended, therefore allowing a higher intensity intermittent profile to be maintained [79].…”

Using Microtechnology to Quantify Torso Angle During Match-Play in Field Hockey

“…It is hypothesized that the differences observed between strikers, midfielders, and defenders with respect to playing time spent in postures between 10 and 40°o f torso flexion are related to the role-specific tasks performed by these athletes, and the associated competing affordances presented to them. Performing in a high-intensity, intermittent sport, field hockey athletes must cover ground quickly (16,27) and may adopt more upright torso postures to do this efficiently. In addition, owing to the 360°nature of the game, they are required to visually explore the playing environment, and more upright postures maximize their ability to move the head and torso to orient their visual field to the horizon line.…”

The Running Performance Decrement in Elite Hurling

“…This drop-off has been suggested to be related to the transient fatigue experienced throughout the game [18]. To further examine the fluctuations of running performance during the game, several team sports have further analysed the match-play running performances by smaller segments [19][20][21][22]. Dividing the match into quarters allowed coaches to identify where the temporal decrements exist [19][20][21][22].…”