Running Performance Profile among Playing Positions and Quarters in Elite Female Field Hockey Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the running-related variables during competitions across playing positions and quarters in elite female field hockey players.METHODS: A total of 136 data from 41 players were collected using GPS units during national-level competitions. The running-related variables included the total distance covered (TD, unit: m), relative distance (RD, unit: m/min), proportion of low-(LID, 0-6 km/h), moderate-( MID, 6.1-15 km/h), and high-intensity (HID, ≥15.1 km/h) distance of the total distance covered (unit: %), and sprint efforts (SE, ≥19.1 km/h, ≥1s; unit: bouts).RESULTS: The defenders’ TD (5,619.77±1,046.14 m) was shorter than that of midfielders (5,475±1,043.33 m) and forwards (4,684.22± 1,066.11 m), and the RD of midfielders (103.64±9.10 m/min) was longer than that of forwards (99.03±10.37 m/min) and defenders (92.42±10.85 m/min). The midfielders had the highest MID(47.08±5.51%), while the highest HID (16.23±3.62%) was observed in the forwards. Defenders performed 35.12±5.25 bouts, with the highest number of sprints among the playing positions. Regardless of the playing positions, 1 quarter had the highest TD, RD, and HID, and the SE was the highest in 4 quarter.CONCLUSIONS: The players’ specific requirements can be managed by practitioners and coaches using the running performance profile; further, it can be used to design training programs containing suitable running volumes to improve players’ performance.