The match-play running performance of elite Camogie players across halves of play

Abstract

Camogie is one of the most popular female sports in Ireland, yet the demands of match-play are unknown. The current study aimed to examine the match-play running performance of elite Camogie players between halves of play and playing positions. GPS (STATSports, Apex 10-Hz) collected data from 36 players (23 ± 4 years, height: 168 ± 5 cm body mass: 65 ± 6 kg) over 22 games. Activity was characterised into total distance [TD] (m), relative distance (RD) (m min−1), distance (m) at walking (< 7.9 km h−1), running (8–15.9 km h−1), high-speed running [HSR] (16–19.9 km h−1) and sprinting (≥ 20 km h−1), number of sprints (n) and mean length of sprints (m). The TD, RD, HSR, and sprint distance was 5881 ± 906 m, 98 ± 15 m min−1, 546 ± 259 m and 183 ± 130 m, respectively. Decrements in TD (ES: − 0.46), RD (ES: − 0.43), HSR (ES: − 0.15), sprint distance (ES: − 0.18), and the number of sprints (ES: − 0.25) were found between halves. Full-backs covered less TD, RD and HSR than half-backs (ES: − 0.65 to − 1.14), midfielders (ES: − 0.66 to − 1.10), half-forwards (ES: − 0.71 to − 0.75) and full-forwards (ES: − 0.57 to − 0.63). Half-backs performed more sprints than full-backs (ES: 0.76) with no difference between any other position. Midfielders, half-forwards and full-forwards had a longer mean length of sprint compared to half-backs (ES: − 1.00 to − 1.17) and full-backs (ES: − 0.78 to − 1.00). This is the first study to report the running performance of elite Camogie match-play. The data can aid the coaching process by allowing for the development of sports-specific training methodologies for elite Camogie players.