Volume and Intensity of Locomotor Activity in International Men's Field Hockey Matches Over a 2-Year Period

Abstract

The locomotor demands of international men's field hockey matches were investigated across positions (DEF, MID, FWD) and playing quarters. Volume (i.e., total values) and intensity (i.e., relative to playing time) data were collected using 10-Hz GPS/100-Hz accelerometer units from the #11 world-ranked (WR) team, during 71 matches, against 24 opponents [WR 12 ± 11 (range, 1–60)]. Mean ± SD team total distance (TD) was 4,861 ± 871 m, with 25% (1,193 ± 329 m) “high-speed running” (>14.5 km h−1) and 8% (402 ± 144 m) “sprinting” (>19.0 km h−1). Reduced TD (range, −3 to 4%) and average speed (range, −3.4 to 4.7%) occurred through subsequent quarters, vs. Q1 (p < 0.05). A “large” negative relationship (r = −0.64) was found between playing duration and average speed. Positional differences (p < 0.05) were identified for all volume metrics including; playing duration (DEF, 45:50 ± 8:00 min; MID, 37:37 ± 7:12 min; FWD, 33:32 ± 6:22 min), TD (DEF, 5,223 ± 851 m; MID, 4,945 ± 827 m; FWD, 4,453 ± 741 m), sprinting distance (DEF, 315 ± 121 m; MID, 437 ± 144 m; FWD, 445 ± 129 m), and acceleration efforts (>2 m s−2; DEF, 48 ± 12; MID, 51 ± 11; FWD, 50 ± 14). Intensity variables similarly revealed positional differences (p < 0.05) but with a different pattern between positions; average speed (DEF, 115 ± 10 m min−1; MID, 132 ± 10 m min−1; FWD, 134 ± 15 m min−1), sprinting (DEF, 7 ± 3 m min−1; MID, 12 ± 4 m min−1; FWD, 14 ± 4 m min−1), and accelerations (DEF, 1.1 ± 0.3 n min−1; MID, 1.4 ± 0.2 n min−1; FWD, 1.5 ± 0.3 n min−1). Physical outputs reduced across playing quarters, despite unlimited substitutions, demonstrating the importance of optimizing physical preparation prior to international competition. Volume and intensity data highlight specific positional requirements, with forwards displaying shorter playing durations but greater high-intensity activities than defenders.

The influence of possession status on the physical output of male international hockey players

“…2 Male hockey players cover between 5,232–6586 m during match play, while completing 25% of this total distance in high intensity zones. 3–5 Player position can have a major impact on the physical output of players, with midfielders and forwards completing greater high-speed distance and actions whereas defenders tend to complete greater absolute total distance while accumulating more playing time as they are rotated less frequently. 6 , 7…”

“…2 Male hockey players cover between 5,232-6586 m during match play, while completing 25% of this total distance in high intensity zones. [3][4][5] Player position can have a major impact on the physical output of players, with midfielders and forwards completing greater highspeed distance and actions whereas defenders tend to complete greater absolute total distance while accumulating more playing time as they are rotated less frequently. 6,7 Beyond full match or tournament summaries, 6 there has been a lack of granularity and context provided in relation to physical output data in hockey coupled with limited exploration of influencing factors such as technical performance and tactical style.…”

Increased air temperature decreases high-speed, but not total distance, in international field hockey

“…Team-sports, such as field hockey (hockey), are characterized by high aerobic demands (mean ~85% of maximum heart rate) [ 13 ] and intermittent/repeated bouts of sprint activity (21 ± 7 per game) [ 14 ]. In combination, this activity profile provides a greater thermal challenge than continuous intensity exercise of the same mean intensity [ 15 ].…”

“…Compared with other team-sports, modern hockey is characterized by a high average speed during matches (127 ± 15 m.min −1 ), with considerable high-speed (1191 ± 328 m, >14.5 km.h −1 ) and sprinting volumes (401 ± 144 m, >19 km.h −1 ) [ 14 ]. Hockey is therefore considered a repeated-sprint activity, interspersed with low-intensity activities [ 13 ].…”

“…Hockey is therefore considered a repeated-sprint activity, interspersed with low-intensity activities [ 13 ]. We have previously identified locomotor outputs to reduce across playing quarters in international men’s hockey [ 14 ]. We and others [ 23 , 24 ] have also found that the volume and intensity of outputs differs between playing positions.…”