Evaluating Physical Workload by Position During Match in Elite Bandy

Abstract

Blomqvist, S, Ervasti, PE, and Elcadi, GH. Evaluating physical workload by position during match in elite bandy. J Strength Cond Res 32(9): 2616-2622, 2018-To improve current understandings of physical workload (WL) in elite bandy, 10 bandy players were monitored for heart rate (HR) during 13 matches over 1 championship season. Participants were divided into 5 subgroups according to playing position-libero, defender, halves, midfielder, and forward. Heart rate measurements were analyzed with 2 different methods to compute physical WL-(a) percentage of total time spent in different HR zones (HRres) and (b) WL based on the Edwards method. Also determined was the time spent at HR levels above the lactate threshold (LT). A one-way analysis of variance was used for analysis. For WL, according to the Edwards method, significant differences (p = 0.05) were shown between the groups with defenders presenting the highest scores, and forwards and liberos the lowest. A significant difference (p = 0.05) was found between liberos and halves and the other positions as to how much time they spent in zone 70-80% of HRres. In 91-100% of HRres, there was a distinct difference between defenders and the other positions and also forwards differed significantly from liberos, defenders, and halves (p = 0.05). The libero spent only 1% of the time over the LT, whereas the midfielder spent approximately 27% of the time over the LT. Overall, defenders showed the greatest WL during a match and liberos the lowest. The practical implications of these findings can help coaches and trainers design training methods specific to each position and individualized training sessions for each player in elite bandy.

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

“…In this present study, a visual analysis of all figures indicates that halves, midfielder, and forward had the highest overall demands for the variables total distance, mean velocity, and time spent in highest velocity zones. An explanation of the differences between this present study and Blomqvist et al (2018) may be due to the demands in acceleration and deceleration. In soccer, for example, it has been demonstrated that a high acceleration and repeated sprint ability are important factors of performance (Hoff & Helgerud, 2004;Mohr et al, 2003).…”

“…Bandy is a fast winter sport with maximum velocities up to 37 km/h and is categorized with intermittent movements' patterns. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that offensive positions spend more time (midfielder about 28 min and forwards 21 min) above lactate threshold vs defensive positions (libero 0.8 min, defender, and half about 15 min (Blomqvist et al, 2018). To skate in highvelocity zones the player´s anaerobic capacity can be an important key performance indicator.…”

“…The physical internal workload measured by heart rate is probably an important factor of match play. Blomqvist et al (2018) reported that the defensive position (defender) had the highest internal workload of all playing positions. In this present study, a visual analysis of all figures indicates that halves, midfielder, and forward had the highest overall demands for the variables total distance, mean velocity, and time spent in highest velocity zones.…”

“…The majority of the scientific research in bandy has been focused on investigating maximal oxygen uptake or injuries (Häkkinen & Sinnemäki, 1990, 1991Timpka et al, 2007Timpka et al, , 2002. A study by Blomqvist et al (2018) evaluated the physical workload by using heart rate measurement. The results demonstrated that the defensive position defender had the highest physical workload and the defensive position libero had the lowest.…”

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

“…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.…”