The Match Heart Rate and Running Profile of Elite Under-21 Hurlers During Competitive Match-Play

Abstract

Young, D, Mourot, L, Beato, M, and Coratella, G. The match heart rate and running profile of elite under-21 hurlers during competitive match-play. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2925-2933, 2018-The aims of the current study were to examine the physical and physiological demands of elite under-21 male hurling match-play across halves of play and between positions. Global positioning systems (10 Hz) and heart rate (HR) monitors were used to collect data from 95 players during 10 games. Total distance (TD), relative speed, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, total sprints, and mean length of sprint was 6,688 ± 942 m, 112 ± 16 m·min, 661 ± 203 m, 274 ± 111 m, 18 ± 8 m, and 16 ± 5 m, respectively. Players' mean HR (HRmean) and peak HR (HRpeak) was 165 ± 9 b·min and 190 ± 7 b·min, respectively. Decrements in TD (p < 0.05, effect size [ES] = 0.81), HSR (p < 0.05, ES = 0.69), and HRmean (p < 0.05, ES = 0.80) were found between halves. Full backs covered significantly less TD than half backs (p < 0.05, ES = -1.24), midfielders (p < 0.05, ES = -1.39), and half forwards (p < 0.05, ES = -1.85). Half forwards covered a greater TD than full forwards (p < 0.05, ES = 0.94), greater HSR than full backs (p < 0.05, ES = 1.13), and greater sprint distance than half backs (p < 0.05, ES = 1.41). Between-half decreases were evident in TD, HSR, and HRmean, with no significant positional differences observed in TD, HSR, number of sprints, length of sprint, HRpeak, and HRmean between half backs, midfielders, and half forwards. The current findings provide data that coaches should consider to customize training program design for under-21 hurlers.

The Validity and Between-Unit Variability of GNSS Units (STATSports Apex 10 and 18 Hz) for Measuring Distance and Peak Speed in Team Sports

“…In team sport context, the common technologies utilized to quantify external load parameters are: global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), video tracking systems (VTS), and local positioning systems (LPS/radar) ( Di Salvo et al, 2006 ; Buchheit et al, 2014a ; Beato and Jamil, 2018 ). Previous investigations have employed such technologies to evaluate training and match load responses in team sport modalities like soccer, rugby, hurling, etc., ( Coutts and Duffield, 2010 ; Jennings et al, 2010 ; Cummins et al, 2013 ; Vickery et al, 2014 ; Beato et al, 2017a ; Young et al, 2018 ). The main applications of such technological solutions consist in the ability to collect and further analyze distance-driven and positional measures like: total distances covered (TD), peak speed (Vpeak), and high intensity running efforts during training sessions and matches ( Varley et al, 2012 ; Cummins et al, 2013 ; Vickery et al, 2014 ).…”

The match-play sprint performance of elite senior hurlers during competitive games

“…The aim of the game is to outscore the opposition by striking the ball between the opposition’s goal posts [1], over the crossbar (1 point) or between and under the crossbar (3 points) [2,3]. The playing positions consist of 1 goalkeeper and 14 outfield players (full-backs, half-backs, midfielders, half-forwards, and full-forwards) who compete on a playing pitch which is 140 m long and 88 m wide over a duration of 70 minutes (min) (two 35-min halves) [2,3]. In each positional line, there is a convention of player-to-player marking, where the attackers’ role is to invade the defenders’ area and score.…”

“…In each positional line, there is a convention of player-to-player marking, where the attackers’ role is to invade the defenders’ area and score. The defenders are tasked with preventing the attackers from scoring, while the midfielders act as a link between attack and defense [1,2]. Elite senior hurlers compete for National hurling League, Provincial and All-Ireland championships [1].…”

“…The use of global positioning satellite (GPS) technology has facilitated the collection of distances covered across low- and high- intensity efforts [2,4–12]. Total distance (TD), relative speed, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, peak speed were reported at senior [9,10] and U21 level [2] using GPS. Elite senior hurlers [10] cover similar relative TD to elite U21’s [2] but cover higher relative TD than sub-elite senior hurlers [9].…”

“…Total distance (TD), relative speed, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, peak speed were reported at senior [9,10] and U21 level [2] using GPS. Elite senior hurlers [10] cover similar relative TD to elite U21’s [2] but cover higher relative TD than sub-elite senior hurlers [9]. However, comparable peak speeds and total sprint distance have been found between senior (elite and sub-elite) [9,10] and U21 hurlers [2].…”