Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(7): 523-528
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273710
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Physical Demands and Physiological Responses During Elite Field Hockey

J. Lythe1 , 2 , A. E. Kilding1
  • 1AUT University, Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
  • 2New Zealand Academy of Sport North Island, New Zealand
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision February 07, 2011

Publication Date:
11 May 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the physical demands of elite men's field hockey using modern time-motion analysis techniques. 18 elite male players (age: 24.4±4.5 yrs) participated in 5 matches, during which physical outputs of players were quantified using GPS units and heart rate monitors. The mean total distance covered by each individual player was 6 798±2 009 m. Mean total distance covered per position for 70 min (position70) was 8 160±428 m. Distance covered per position70 decreased by 4.8% between the 1st and 2nd halves (P<0.05). Fullbacks covered significantly less total distance than all other positions (P<0.05). High-intensity running (>19 km.h−1) comprised 6.1% (479±108 m) of the total distance covered and involved 34±12 sprints per player, with an average duration of 3.3 s. Average HR was higher in the 1st half (86.7% HRmax) than the 2nd half, (84.4% HRmax), though this was not significant (P=0.06). The results suggest that modern day elite field hockey is a physically demanding team sport. Quantification of the demands and outputs of players at this level provides a useful framework on which to develop conditioning practices. The difference in physical outputs observed for some positions suggests position-specific conditioning is required at the elite level.

References

Correspondence

Dr. Andrew E. KildingPhD 

Auckland University of

Technology

Division of Sport and

Recreation

Private Bag 92006

1020 Auckland

New Zealand

Phone: +64/9/921 99 99

Fax: +64/9/921 99 60

Email: andrew.kilding@aut.ac.nz