The running performance of elite ladies Gaelic football with respect to position and halves of play

Abstract

Purpose The current investigation aimed to examine the running performance of elite Ladies Gaelic football (LGF) match-play and establish the within game positional profile, in addition to the running performance of players across halves of play. Methods GPS technology was used to examine the running performance of thirty-three (n = 33) elite LGF players (age; 23 ± 5 years, height; 173 ± 5 cm, body mass; 63 ± 4 kg). Across the duration of the observational period, one hundred and thirty-one (n = 131) individual samples were collected over 15 competitive matches. Data were classified based on positional line and across halves of play. Running performance was determined across the following performance variables of total distance covered (m) (TD), relative distance (m·min−1), HSR (≥ 4.4 m·s−1), RHSR (HSR; m·min−1), percentage HSR (% HSR), VHSR (≥ 5.5 m·s−1), peak velocity (m s−1), percentage peak velocity (% PeakV), accelerations (n; ≥ 3 m·s−2) and decelerations (n; ≤ − 3 m·s−2), Results Independent of position the mean distance covered during match play was 7319 ± 1021 m which equates to a relative work rate of 116 ± 9 m·min−1. The high-speed distance of players was 1547 ± 432 m, which equates to a relative high-speed running distance of 25 ± 11 m·min−1. The maximal velocity of players was 7.17 ± 0.41 m·s−1 reflective of a relative maximal velocity of 86 ± 4 percent. The greatest distances were covered by half-backs, midfielders, and half-forwards, with these positions covering significantly greater distances than full-backs (p ≤ 0.05; ES: 0.59–1.25; small-moderate) and full-forwards (p ≤ 0.05; ES: 0.44–1.21; small-moderate). While TD and maximal velocity was shown not to change across halves of play, significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) were observed across HSR (ES: 0.64–1.02; moderate), accelerations and decelerations (ES: 0.59–1.20; moderate). Conclusion The current investigation is the first of its kind within elite LGF, the data within the investigation can aid the coaching process by allowing for the development of sport-specific training regimen specific to the positional needs of elite LGF players.

Strength and Conditioning Recommendations for Female Athletes: The Gaelic Footballer

“…Despite the plethora of global positioning system (GPS) research in the male versions of Gaelic team sports (98,107), research in LGF is still embryonic. The running performance of elite intercounty LGF has recently been investigated, reporting that players covered 7,319 6 1,021 m in total distance and 1,547 6 432 m in high-speed running (HSR) distance during match play (96). Half backs, midfielders, and half forwards covered greater distances than full backs and full forwards (96).…”

“…The running performance of elite intercounty LGF has recently been investigated, reporting that players covered 7,319 6 1,021 m in total distance and 1,547 6 432 m in high-speed running (HSR) distance during match play (96). Half backs, midfielders, and half forwards covered greater distances than full backs and full forwards (96). Furthermore, there were significant reductions in HSR and accelerations and decelerations across halves of play (96).…”

“…High-intensity activities need to be considered to gain a more insightful overview of match demands (44). In elite LGF, the middle 3 positional lines covered the greatest high speed and very high running distances compared with the other positions (96). Further research is necessary for LGF to aid practitioners in replicating the demands of the game in training and to provide an optimal conditioning stimulus.…”

“…Each team includes a goalkeeper, 2 lines of 3 defensive players (full back and half back), 2 midfielders, and 2 lines of attacking players (half forward and full forward) (Figure 1). LGF matches comprised 2 30-minute halves and are played on a rectangular pitch, 144 m in length and 88 m in width (96). The primary skills of LGF include high catching, handling, kicking over short and long distances, solo running with the ball, passing the ball by hand, blocking, and intercepting (127).…”

“…The primary skills of LGF include high catching, handling, kicking over short and long distances, solo running with the ball, passing the ball by hand, blocking, and intercepting (127). The game's physical demands include high-speed running, accelerations, decelerations, and change of direction-based movement (96).…”