Differences in Physical Demands Among Offensive and Defensive Players in Elite Men Bandy

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the physiological sport-specific demands (total distance, mean velocity, effective game time, and time in five velocity zones) in elite bandy players of offensive and defensive playing positions. Method: Data were collected with 10 Hz GPS-units in the Swedish Elite League during the season 2015/16. Ten male elite bandy players were examined during 13 matches. Data were analyzed with Independent Samples Test and with descriptive statistics. Result: Analysis showed that defensive positions covered a significantly longer (p < .001) total distance (23.2 ± 2.4 km vs 21.1 ± 3.5 km) compared to the offensive positions. Significantly higher (p < .001) mean velocity was found in offensive positions (17.8 ± 1.0 km/h vs 15.5 ± 1.6 km/h) in relation to defensive positions. In variable effective game time analysis exposed significant differences (p < .001) between offensive positions and defensive positions (90.4 ± 3.5 min vs 71.3 ± 11.9 min). Furthermore, in easy and moderate skating defensive positions spent significantly (p < .001) more time and in fast, very fast, and sprint skating offensive positions spent significantly (p < .001) more time in relation to each other. The descriptive analysis of positions indicates that libero, defender, and half have the longest game time, half skate the longest distance, and forward have the highest mean velocity during the game. Conclusion: From a practical perspective, the result can provide coaches knowledge when planning the setup in training drills. Thus, the training sessions could be more specific to the playing position, which could maximize the player's physiological outcome in order to optimize performance.

An Analysis of Acceleration, Deceleration and High-Intensity Skating during Elite Bandy Match-Play: A Case Study

“…Data collected during the extra time of the match were not included in the analyses. The speed zones of 25-29.99 km•h −1 and ≥ 30 km•h −1 were based on previously defined published data from bandy [2] and recommendations by Sweeting et al [20]. Acceleration and deceleration were defined as follows: (1) the acceleration/deceleration had to reach a minimum of 1 m•S −2 to mark the start of the acceleration/deceleration event;…”

“…Bandy is a winter team sport played on ice with similarities to soccer. Previous studies have investigated the physical workload during elite bandy by measuring heart rate and velocity patterns during match-play [1,2]. Blomqvist et al [1] observed that elite bandy players reach a heart rate between 70-90% of their maximum and spend up to 27% of the time above the lactate threshold during match-play depending on the player's position.…”

“…Blomqvist et al [1] observed that elite bandy players reach a heart rate between 70-90% of their maximum and spend up to 27% of the time above the lactate threshold during match-play depending on the player's position. Furthermore, Persson et al [2] observed significant differences in the velocity patterns between defensive and offensive players, where defensive players spend significantly longer time skating between 4-20 km/h and the offensive players above 20 km/h.…”

“…Previous studies investigating the physical workload in bandy illustrate that bandy includes skating in velocities covering both aerobic and anaerobic intensities [1,2]. Activities at an anaerobic intensity, for example, acceleration, deceleration, and skating in high velocities, also contribute to the physical workload [3].…”

“…Skating in bandy at velocities above 25 km/h is considered high-intensity skating [2]. A previous study observed differences between defensive and offensive players with offensive players (midfielders and forwards) spending more time at velocities above 25 km/h than defensive players [2]. However, knowledge is lacking regarding how highintensity skating develops during bandy match-play.…”