Match-Play Temporal and Position-Specific Physical and Physiological Demands of Senior Hurlers

The Maximal Intensity Period: Rationalising its Use in Team Sports Practice

Quantifying the highest intensity of competition (the maximal intensity period [MIP]) for varying durations in team sports has been used to identify training targets to inform the preparation of players. However, its usefulness has recently been questioned since it may still underestimate the training intensity required to produce specific physiological adaptations. Within this conceptual review, we aimed to: (i) describe the methods used to determine the MIP; (ii) compare the data obtained using MIP or whole-match analysis, considering the influence of different contextual factors; (iii) rationalise the use of the MIP in team sports practice and (iv) provide limitations and future directions in the area. Different methods are used to determine the MIP, with MIP values far greater than those derived from averaging across the whole match, although they could be affected by contextual factors that should be considered in practice. Additionally, while the MIP might be utilised during sport-specific drills, it is inappropriate to inform the intensity of interval-based, repeated sprint and linear speed training modes. Lastly, MIP does not consider any variable of internal load, a major limitation when informing training practice. In conclusion, practitioners should be aware of the potential use or misuse of the MIP.

Factors influencing performance and injury risk in elite female Gaelic team sport players and future research directions: a narrative review

Background

Sports science research in elite female Gaelic team sports has increased in recent years, but still a large disparity exists between the volume of studies involving male and female players. As a consequence of this, it is difficult for practitioners to develop an evidence-based approach when working with female players.

Main body

In this review, we discuss the current research available in elite female Gaelic team sports with focus on seven specific areas including physical and physiological demands, anthropometric and performance characteristics, injury risk, nutritional considerations, and female physiology. There appears to be unique physical demands data in match play across positions in Camogie, however, there is currently no comparative data available in ladies Gaelic football. Similarly, there is no research available on the physiological demands of both elite female Gaelic team sports. According to existing literature, performance characteristics such as speed and power are lower in this population compared to other elite female team sports. Although data is limited, the anthropometric characteristics of elite female Gaelic team sport players appear homogenous with some positional differences observed at a sub-elite level. Previous research has demonstrated a high prevalence of lower limb injuries in female elite Gaelic team sports and the provision of quality, evidence-based strength & conditioning could help mitigate these injury risks. Female Gaelic team sport players have been shown to have poor nutrition knowledge and inadequate intakes of micronutrients. Finally, although menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptives have been shown to influence performance in other female intermittent sports, to date there has not been any research carried out in elite female Gaelic team sport players.

Conclusions

It is evident that limited research has been carried out on elite female Gaelic sport players. More up-to-date, high-quality investigations are needed to address the research gaps, which in turn should enable practitioners in the field to apply sound, evidence-based practice/theory when working with this population.

Science and Hurling: A Review

Hurling is one of the world’s fastest field sports. Since the last review of science and Gaelic sports in 2008, there has been an increase in sports science provisions across elite and sub-elite cohorts, resulting in increased hurling-specific literature equating to an additional 111 research investigations into the game across all sports science disciplines. The present review aims to provide an updated analysis of the current research on the game and propose recommendations for future research. Overall, intermittent aerobic fitness remains an important physical quality during competition, with a focus on games-based training methodologies within the literature. Within the current review, we provide updated normative data on the running demands, physiological responses, and anthropometric and performance profiles of hurling players. The increased literature across the sport has led to the development of a hurling-specific simulation, that can now be utilised practically in training and research processes for hurling cohorts. Furthermore, the monitoring of internal and external training loads across training and match environments, in addition to response variables such as well-being, appears to have become more prominent, allowing practitioners to design training regimes to achieve optimal dose and response characteristics. Analysing the game from a scientific perspective can allow for more efficient preparatory practices, to meet the specific requirements of players at all age levels. Collaborative research among the various sports science disciplines, is required to identify strategies to reduce the incidence of injury and enhance performance in hurling. The current review provides updated information to coaches and practitioners regarding position-specific physical qualities, and match-play demands that can concurrently support the training process within hurling.

The positional and temporal running demands of elite inter-county camogie match play across 5-min intervals

Purpose

Camogie is a native Irish female field sport game. This investigation aimed to establish elite camogie players’ positional and temporal running demands across 5-min intervals during competitive match play.

Methods

Thirty-one (n = 31) inter-county camogie players (age: 24 ± 4 years; height: 167.2 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 67.0 ± 7.5 kg) from two squads wore commercially available 10-Hz Playertek GPS units (Playertek by Catapult, Australia) during Senior All-Ireland Championship games (n = 8). Players were categorised according to match positions (defenders, mid-fielders, forwards). Games were split into quarters, and subsequently into 5-min intervals for analysis (5-min intervals are more closely associated with small-sided games and training than half-by-half comparisons).

Results

Analysis revealed significant positional and temporal differences to exist (p < 0.05). Mid-fielders covered greater total (r = 0.16–0.19) and relative distance (r = 0.15–0.17), with forwards covering greater high-speed distances (r = 0.09–0.19). Mid-fielders had greater temporal performance decrements for sprint distance between all first quarter intervals and 55–60 interval (Kendall’s W (W = 0.86–1.00), as well as the 0–5 and all final quarter intervals for total distance (W = 0.86–1.00). Defenders had significant performance decreases during the 25–30 (W = 0.29–0.60) and 40–45 interval (W = 0.14–0.57) for both total and relative distance. Forwards exhibited the lowest performance decrement, with no significant differences for peak speed, high-speed running, or sprint distance (W = 0.00–0.53).

Conclusion

Positional and temporal differences are evident in elite camogie match play. Mid-fielders have the greatest total and sprint distance decrements, with defenders also exhibiting total and relative distance decreases. Coaches should focus on temporal differences with respect to position, to minimise performance decrements.

The Between-Competition Running Demands of Elite Hurling Match-Play

The current study aimed to investigate the differences in running demands between the National Hurling League (NHL) and the Championship, and within playing positions. GPS (10 Hz, STATSports Apex GNSS) were used to analyse the running demands during 34 games (2017–2020 seasons) of the Championship and the NHL. The running demands (total-, relative-, high-speed- [>17 km·h⁻¹] and sprint [≥22 km·h⁻¹] distance, number and length of sprints, and peak speed) were compared between competitions. Greater total- [ES = 0.32], relative- [ES = 0.26], and sprint-distance [ES = 0.41], and number of sprints [ES = 1.29] were completed in the Championship. The high-speed distance was similar between competitions. Half-backs and half-forwards covered greater total- (ES = 0.91 and 0.21, respectively), relative- (ES = 1.14 and 0.68, respectively), high-speed- (ES = 0.69 and 0.44, respectively), and sprint-distance (ES = 0.50 and 1.26, respectively), number of sprints (ES = 2.66 and 1.73, respectively), and peak speed (ES = 1.09 and 1.32, respectively) in the Championship. There was no difference (p < 0.05) in the sprint distance covered between positions in the Championship. The results showed that the Championship is more physically demanding. The findings present key implications for the transition between competitions.

Training Load Monitoring Considerations for Female Gaelic Team Sports: From Theory to Practice

Athlete monitoring enables sports science practitioners to collect information to determine how athletes respond to training loads (TL) and the demands of competition. To date, recommendations for females are often adapted from their male counterparts. There is currently limited information available on TL monitoring in female Gaelic team sports in Ireland. The collection and analysis of female athlete monitoring data can provide valuable information to support the development of female team sports. Athletic monitoring can also support practitioners to help minimize risk of excessive TL and optimize potential athletic performance. The aims of this narrative review are to provide: (i) an overview of TL athlete monitoring in female team sports, (ii) a discussion of the potential metrics and tools used to monitor external TL and internal TL, (iii) the advantages and disadvantages of TL modalities for use in Gaelic team sports, and (iv) practical considerations on how to monitor TL to aid in the determination of meaningful change with female Gaelic team sports athletes.

Acceleration, Deceleration and Dynamic Stress Load in Elite Hurling: A Between-Quarter and Between-Position Comparison

This study described the decrement in accelerations, decelerations and dynamic stress load (DSL) between quarters in elite hurling. GPS (10-Hz) were used to record data from 42 players over 22 games (2018–2020 season). The number of accelerations and decelerations and DSL between quarters were assessed. Accelerations and decelerations were greater in Q1 than Q2 (ES = 0.28 and ES = 0.44, respectively), and Q4 (ES = 0.57 and ES = 0.60, respectively), and in Q3 compared to Q4 (ES = 0.50 and ES = 0.44, respectively). The DSL was 56 ± 21 AU in Q1, 56 ± 20 AU in Q2, 52 ± 20 AU in Q3 and 56 ± 24 AU in Q4. There was a decrease in DSL in Q3 compared to Q1 (ES = −0.20) and Q2 (ES = −0.20). Each position experienced a temporal decrease in at least one quarter (ES = 0.43–1.46) in all metrics except full-backs’, half-backs’ and full forwards’ accelerations, midfielders’ decelerations and midfielders’ and half forwards’ DSL. Current data show temporal decrements in running performance in Q2 and Q4 and DSL in Q3. Players should be conditioned to minimize the drop-off in running performances following the third quarter.

Metabolic power in hurling with respect to position and halves of match-play

The current investigation compared the metabolic power and energetic characteristics in team sports with respect to positional lines and halves of match-play. Global positioning system (GPS) technology data were collected from 22 elite competitive hurling matches over a 3-season period. A total of 250 complete match-files were recorded with players split into positional groups of full-back; half-back; midfield; half-forward; full-forward. Raw GPS data were exported into a customized spreadsheet that provided estimations of metabolic power and speed variables across match-play events (average metabolic power [P_met], high metabolic load distance [HMLD], total distance, relative distance, high-speed distance, maximal speed, accelerations, and deceleration). P_met, HMLD, total, relative and high-speed distance were 8.9 ± 1.6 W·kg^-1, 1457 ± 349 m, 7506 ± 1364 m, 107 ± 20 m·min^-1 and 1169 ± 260 m respectively. Half-backs, midfielders and half-forwards outperformed full-backs (Effect Size [ES] = 1.03, 1.22 and 2.07 respectively), and full-forwards in P_met (Effect Size [ES] = 1.70, 2.07 and 1.28 respectively), and HMLD (full-backs: ES = -1.23, -1.37 and -0.84 respectively, and full-forwards: ES = -1.77, -2.00 and -1.38 respectively). Half-backs (ES = -0.60), midfielders (ES = -0.81), and half-forwards (ES = -0.74) experienced a second-half temporal decrement in HMLD. The current investigation demonstrates that metabolic power may increase our understanding of the match-play demands placed on elite hurling players. Coaches may utilize these findings to construct training drills that replicate match-play demands.

The inter-unit and inter-model reliability of GNSS STATSports Apex and Viper units in measuring peak speed over 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 meters

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the inter-unit reliability (Apex vs. Apex; Viper vs. Viper) and inter-model reliability (Apex vs. Viper) from 5 to 30 m sprinting activity. Ten team sport players (age 22 ± 1 years) were enrolled in this crossover study and performed 1271 trials (436 Apex vs. Apex, 464 Viper vs. Viper, 371 Apex vs. Viper) consisting of 5–10 m, 10–15 m, 15–20 m, and 20–30 m sprints. Inter-unit reliability was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and coefficient of variation (CV), while between-unit and model analysis were subsequently performed to evaluate differences in Vpeak. Apex (10 Hz) units had excellent inter-unit reliability for all distances, whereas Viper (10 Hz) units had good to excellent reliability. The CV was good (< 5%) for both GNSS models. Significant differences were found in Vpeak in Sprint 5–10 = 0.13 CI (0.08, 0.182) m^.s^-1, Sprint 10–15 = 0.06 CI (0.01, 0.1) m^.s^-1, and in Sprint overall = 0.06 CI (0.03, 0.09) m^.s^-1. Both Viper and Apex units can consistently report Vpeak measurements since good to excellent ICC and good CV were found. However, Vpeak measurements are significantly different between models for distances less than 15 m. In conclusion, this study shows that differences exist among manufacturers’ models and that the two GNSS models should not be used interchangeably to quantify Vpeak.

The match-play sprint performance of elite senior hurlers during competitive games

The typical sprint profile in elite hurling has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sprinting demands of elite hurling competition and characterize the sprinting patterns of different playing positions. GPS (10-Hz, STATSports Viper) were used to collect data from 51 hurlers during 18 games. The total sprint (≥22 km·h-1) distance (TSD), the number of sprints (NOS) classified as length (<20 m, ≥20 m) and relative speed thresholds (<80%, 80-90%, >90%), the between-sprint duration and the number of repeated-sprint bouts (≥2 sprints in ≤60 s) were analyzed. The NOS was 22.2 ± 6.8 accumulating 415 ± 140 m TSD. The NOS <20 m, ≥20 m was 14.0 ± 4.7 and 8.1 ± 3.6 respectively. The NOS <80%, 80-90% and >90% was 10.6 ± 4.3, 8.2 ± 3.6, 3.4 ± 2.4 respectively. The between-sprint duration and the repeated-sprint bouts were 208 ± 86 s and 4.5 ± 2.6 respectively. TSD (ES = -0.20), NOS (ES = -0.34), NOS <20 m (ES = -0.33), ≥20 m (ES = -0.24), 80-90% (ES = -0.35) >90% (ES = -0.13) and repeated-sprint bouts (ES = -0.28) decreased between-halves. Full-backs performed a lower NOS <80% than half-backs (ES = -0.66) and a shorter mean duration of sprints than half-backs (ES = -0.75), midfielders (ES = -1.00) and full-forwards (ES = -0.59). These findings provide a sprint profile of elite hurling match-play that coaches should consider to replicate the sprint demands of competition in training.