Evaluation of Anthropometric, Physiological, and Skill-Related Tests for Talent Identification in Female Field Hockey

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to develop an effective testing battery for female field hockey by using anthropometric, physiological, and skill-related tests to distinguish between regional representative (Rep, n = 35) and local club level (Club, n = 39) female field hockey players. Rep players were significantly leaner and recorded faster times for the 10-m and 40-m sprints as well as the Illinois Agility Run (with and without dribbling a hockey ball). Rep players also had greater aerobic and lower body muscular power and were more accurate in the shooting accuracy test, p < 0.05. No significant differences between groups were evident for height, body mass, speed decrement in 6 x 40-m repeated sprints, handgrip strength, or pushing speed. These results indicate that %BF, sprinting speed, agility, dribbling control, aerobic and muscular power, and shooting accuracy can distinguish between female field hockey players of varying standards. Therefore talent identification programs for female field hockey should include assessments of these physical parameters.

Correlations of anthropometric characteristics with physical fitness tests in Indian professional hockey players

“…It was reported that a battery of anthropometric and morphological tests could distinguish between players of different ability in the same sport (Keogh, 2003). The same was true for the field hockey (Scott, 1991;Manna et al, 2009;Singh et al, 2010).…”

“…Estimation of back strength of Indian inter-university male hockey players and significant positive correlations of back strength with height, weight, BMI, hip circumference, % lean body mass and abdominal muscle endurance was reported . Evaluation of anthropometric, physiological and skillrelated tests for talent identification in female field hockey was also reported (Keogh et al, 2003). Correlations of anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness tests remained less reported, especially in Indian context.…”

Anthropometric and physical fitness parameters versus specific performance tests in Brazilian field hockey athletes: a pilot study

“…In this context, body fat percentage measurement is an important anthropometric marker often assessed in sport conditioning programs. Keogh et al [15] evaluated the association between anthropometric variables and performance in physical fitness tests comparing recreational athletes to elite athletes. Greater values in the vertical jump test, multistage fitness test, and 10 m and 40 m speed tests were observed in subjects with the lowest percentage of fat (elite group).…”

“…Correlations between these variables and sports performance are widely related in the scientific literature in several sports [9,14,15,29,30,34].…”

“…Several studies have investigated the correlations between anthropometric variables and physical fitness and specific skill tests in various sports, such as handball [1], basketball [11], volleyball [6], and soccer [31]. Also in this context, Koley et al [16], Singh et al [32] and Keogh et al [15], with the goal of quantifying the performance of hockey athletes, evaluated the anthropometric variables, such as body height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI), and their association with specific tests and physical fitness parameters. Positive associations were found between BMI and specific tests, and also between BMI, body height and muscle performance tests.…”