Repeated-sprint Activity Research Articles

Modulators of Change-of-Direction Economy After Repeated Sprints in Elite Soccer Players.

To investigate the acute effect of repeated-sprint activity (RSA) on change-of-direction economy (assessed using shuttle running economy [SRE]) in soccer players and explore neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory characteristics that may modulate this effect. Eleven young elite male soccer players (18.5 [1.4]y old) were tested on 2 different days during a 2-week period in their preseason. On day 1, lower-body stiffness, power and force were assessed via countermovement jumps, followed by an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to measure maximal aerobic capacity. On day 2, 2 SRE tests were performed before and after a repeated-sprint protocol with heart rate, minute ventilation, and blood lactate measured. Pooled group analysis indicated no significant changes for SRE following RSA due to variability in individual responses, with a potentiation or impairment effect of up to 4.5% evident across soccer players. The SRE responses to RSA were significantly and largely correlated to players' lower-body stiffness (r = .670; P = .024), and moderately (but not significantly) correlated to players' force production (r = -.455; P = .237) and blood lactate after RSA (r = .327; P = .326). In summary, SRE response to RSA in elite male soccer players appears to be highly individual. Higher lower-body stiffness appears as a relevant physical contributor to preserve or improve SRE following RSA.

Does participation in Downhill mountain biking affect measures of executive function?

This study assessed the influence of downhill mountain biking on acute measures of executive function. Twenty-three participants took part in the study and were assigned to either, FIELD (N=7, mean age 27 ± 9 yrs), LAB (N=8, mean age 36 ± 9 yrs) or CONTROL (N=8, mean age 41 ± 9 yrs) groups. Participants performed the Stroop colour-word test via a tablet pc app (EncephalApp). Additionally, the Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B) were completed. Significant main effects were found for OffTime (F2,12 = 13.04; p = .001; ηp2 = .69), OnTime (F2,12 = 4.31; p = .04; ηp2 = .42) and OnTrials (F2,12 = 10.74; p = .002; ηp2 = .64), with the results showing a decrement in Stroop test performance following Trial1 and Trial4 compared to BL for the FIELD group. A significant main effect was found for TMT-A (F2,12 = 7.50; p = .008; ηp2 = .56), with performance improving following Trial4 compared to BL for the FIELD group. LAB and CONTROL groups significantly improved on the TMT-B from BL to Trial1 and Trial4 (F2,14 = 4.31; p = .04; ηp2 = .38 and F2,14 = 13.70; p = .001; ηp2 = .66, respectively). Results suggest participation in downhill mountain biking in this cohort significantly impaired executive function when compared to repeated sprint activity within a laboratory. This is indicative of repeated head accelerations caused by riding over rough terrain.

Using the interaction of speed and acceleration to detect repeated-sprint activity in team sports

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the occurrence and characteristics of repeated-sprint (RS) activity in elite team sport competition when classified according to speed and/or acceleration, and their interaction via metabolic power (Pmet). Methods: Elite male hockey players (N = 16) wore player-tracking devices in six international matches. Sprint efforts were defined using four separate classifications: speed >5.5 m∙s−1, acceleration >1.5 m∙s−2, speed-or-acceleration, and Pmet >25.5 W∙kg−1. RS bouts were defined as ≥3 efforts with mean recovery ≤21 s. For Pmet, RS bouts were also classified using a maximal recovery period ≤21 s. The number of sprint efforts and RS bouts, and the number of efforts, effort durations and recovery periods within RS bouts, were compared across each classification method, and between mean and maximal recovery criteria. Results: More RS bouts were identified via Pmet (8.5 ± 2.8) than either speed and/or acceleration, and comprised more efforts (4.0 ± 0.4) with shorter recovery periods (11.5 ± 1.8 s). Fewer RS bouts (7.3 ± 2.8 vs. 8.5 ± 2.8) were identified with a maximum rather than mean recovery criterion. Conclusions: Definitions of sprint efforts and recovery periods which reflect ATP depletion and replenishment via Pmet suggest that RS activity occurs frequently in team sport competition, and is more demanding than when speed and/or acceleration are used to define RS activity in variable-speed locomotion.

The Physiological Responses of Caffeine Supplementation During Repeated-Sprint Activity

Caffeine is one of the most widely used drugs in the world due to its benefits of increasing mental and physical capabilities. Caffeine also is commonly used as an ergogenic aid when performing repeated-sprint activity (RSA). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 200 mg of caffeine during RSA on heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration (BLa), and sprint time (ST). METHODS: Thirty-two students (Age: 22.19 ± 2.29 years) participated in the study. The study followed a randomized crossover design, in which each participant ingested either 200 mg of caffeine or placebo 45 minutes prior to sprinting. The sprinting protocol consisted of three sets of six maximal-effort 30-meter sprints. Each sprint covered a 15-meter distance between the starting and the secondary marker, such that each subject sprinted down to the secondary and back to the starting. Each of the sprints in a set were separated by a total of 20 seconds of active recovery. Following each set, HR, BLa, ST, and RPE were recorded. RESULTS: The caffeine trials were not significantly different than the placebo for HR and RPE. However, for RPE, there was a main effect for time [F(3,93) = 292.810, p < 0.001]. The caffeine trials (Resting: 1.30 ± 0.52 mmol/L; Set 1: 11:33 ± 2.38 mmol/L; Set 2: 13.26 ± 3.02 mmol/L; Set 3: 13.67 ± 2.49 mmol/L) elicited increased BLa compared to the placebo (Resting: 1.37 ± 0.53 mmol/L; Set 1: 9.24 ± 2.43 mmol/L; Set 2: 11.46 ± 2.87 mmol/L; Set 3: 11.83 ± 2.55 mmol/L). The caffeine trials (Set 1: 6.78 ± 0.58 secs; Set 2: 6.81 ± 0.55 secs; Set 3: 6.85 ± 0.57 secs) also produced a decreased average ST compared to the placebo (Set 1: 7.00 ± 0.64 secs; Set 2: 7.02 ± 0.62 secs; Set 3: 7.12 ± 0.63 secs). For the average ST, there were significant main effects for condition [F(1,31) = 36.839, p < 0.001] and time [F(2,62) = 5.806, p = 0.006]. CONCLUSION: Caffeine supplementation of 200 mg elicits an increase in RSA in college-aged non-athletes.

Repeated high-speed running in elite female soccer players during international competition

ABSTRACTObjectives: To provide a detailed analysis of the repeated high-speed demands of competitive international female soccer match play. Methods: A total of 148 individual match observations were undertaken on 107 outfield players in competitive international matches, using a computerised tracking system (STATS, Leeds, England). High-speed activity was classified as either sprint activity (SA) (>25.1 km h-1) or high-speed running (HSR) (>19.8 km h-1). Repeated sprint activity (RSA) was defined as a minimum of two sprints with < 20 s recovery between sprints and repeated high-speed activity (RHSA) was defined as a minimum of two high-speed runs or sprints with < 20 s recovery between efforts. Results: HSR bouts occurred ~5 times more frequently than SA bouts. Central defenders (CD) completed ~50–80 fewer HSR bouts (moderate count ratio (CR): range 0.61–0.70) and ~10–20 fewer SA bouts (moderate CR: range 0.53–0.69) than all other playing positions. RSA bouts occurred less frequently than RHSA bouts (33 ± 10 vs. 1.1 ± 1.1).Conclusion: Consideration of both RHSA and RSA bouts is necessary to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the demands of female match play. Practitioners can utilise this information to construct position-specific training and testing programmes.

The Physiological Oxidative Stress Response to Cold Water Immersion Following a Repeated Sprint Activity in Trained Men

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) after repeated-sprint activity (RSA), as the indicators of physiological oxidative stress response, followed by cold water immersion (CWI). Materials and Methods : Twenty trained men were assigned to take part in this study. After performing repeated-sprint activity, 10 participants immersed in the cold water (14°C), and 10 participants passively sat on a chair at room temperature. Blood sampling was performed before and after repeated-sprint activity, after cold water immersion or passive rest, and after 24 hours. Result : The repeated-sprint activity increased the serum levels of protein carbonyl (t = 3.97, P = 0.001) and malondialdehyde (t = 9.54, P < 0.001). Cold water immersion had a significant effect on serum protein carbonyl levels after repetitive activities; and the results of mean differences indicated a significant reduction immediately (5.92) and 24 hours after recovery (12.93), compared to before recovery. Moreover, the results indicated a significant reduction in protein carbonyl 24 hours after recovery (7.01), compared to immediately after recovery. However, the results of repeated measures analysis of variance on the measurement stages showed that only the time effect (P < 0.001) was significant; but the group effect (P = 0.572), and the interaction of the measurement steps with the group (P = 0.915) were not significant. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that repeated-sprint activity resulted in increased oxidative stress, but cold water immersion did not have more impact than passive rest.

Neuro-muscular Fatigue Induced by Repeated-Sprint Exercise: The Effect of Cold Water Immersion

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) of biceps femoris, rectous femoris, and vastus laterialis muscles after one bout of repeated-sprint ability (RSA) and cold water immersion (CWI). Materials and Methods: Twenty trained athletes were selected to take part in this study. After performing repeated-sprint activity, 10 participants immersed in cold water (14 °C) and 10 participants sat on a chair at room temperature. Electromyography-Maximal voluntary contraction (EMG-MVC) was performed at four intervals: before and after RSA, after CWI or passive rest and after 24 h. Results: The results showed that there was a significant decrease in RMS of the vastus laterialis [P CWI = 0.037, P Control (P CON ) = 0.010] and rectus femoris (P CON , P CWI = 0.0001) muscles after RSA activity in the 1 st day and the MDF of the vastus laterialis (P CWI = 0.100, P CON = 0.850) muscle also had no significant changes during RSA. Meanwhile, the MDF of rectus femoris decreased significantly (P = 0.001) right after CWI and the last set of the activity (P = 0.030). There were also no significant changes in RMS (P CON = 1.00, P CWI = 0.999) and MDF (P CWI = 0.190, P CON = 0.450) of biceps femoris. Conclusion: Our study showed that CWI had no effects on neuro muscular function. -

Adaptation to Damaging Dance and Repeated-Sprint Activity in Women.

Brown, MA, Howatson, G, Keane, KM, and Stevenson, EJ. Adaptation to damaging dance and repeated-sprint activity in women. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2574-2581, 2016-The repeated bout effect (RBE) refers to the prophylactic effect from damaging exercise after a single previous bout of exercise. There is a paucity of data examining the RBE in women, and investigations using exercise paradigms beyond isolated eccentric contractions are scarce. In light of the limited literature, this investigation aimed to determine whether 2 different sport-specific exercise bouts would elicit a RBE in women. Twenty-one female dancers (19 ± 1 years) completed either a dance-specific protocol (n = 10) or sport-specific repeated-sprint protocol (n = 11). Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), limb girths, creatine kinase (CK), countermovement jump height, reactive strength index, maximal voluntary contraction, and 30-meter sprint time were recorded before and 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. An identical exercise bout was conducted approximately 4 weeks after the initial bout, during which time the subjects maintained habitual training and dietary behaviors. DOMS and 30-meter sprint time decreased after a second bout of both activities (p = 0.003; (Equation is included in full-text article.)= 0.38 and p = 0.008; and (Equation is included in full-text article.)= 0.31, respectively). Circulating CK was also lower at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the second bout, independent of group (p = 0.010 and (Equation is included in full-text article.)= 0.23). Compared with the repeated-sprint protocol, the magnitude of change in DOMS was greater after a subsequent bout of the dance protocol (p = 0.010 and (Equation is included in full-text article.)= 0.19). These data are the first to demonstrate that dance and repeated-sprint activity resulting in muscle damage in women confers a protective effect against muscle damage after a subsequent bout.

Muscle Damage Response in Female Collegiate Athletes After Repeated Sprint Activity

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a well-investigated area, however there is a paucity of data surrounding the damage response in females. The aim of this study was to examine the damage responses from a sport-specific bout of repeated sprints in female athletes. Eleven well-trained females (mean ± SD; age: 22 ± 3 years; height: 166.6 ± 5.7 cm; mass: 62.7 ± 4.5 kg) in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle completed a repeated sprint protocol designed to induce EIMD (15 × 30 m sprints). Creatine kinase, countermovement jump height, knee extensor maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), 30-m sprint time, and limb girth were recorded before, after, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. Creatine kinase was elevated at 24, 48, and 72 hours (p ≤ 0.05), peaking at 24 hours (+418%) and returning toward baseline at 72 hours. Countermovement jump height was reduced immediately after, 24, and 48 hours (p ≤ 0.05). Sprint performance was also negatively affected immediately after, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. Muscle soreness peaked at 48 hours (p < 0.01) and remained significantly elevated at 72 hours after exercise (p < 0.01). Limb girth and MVIC did not alter over time. This study provides new information on the EIMD response in trained females after a sport-specific bout of repeated sprints. Importantly, this damage response has the potential to negatively affect performance for several days after exercise.

Neuromuscular fatigability during repeated-sprint exercise in male athletes.

This study aimed to determine the pattern of neuromuscular fatigability that manifests during repeated-sprint running exercise. Twelve male participants (mean ± SD: age, 25 ± 6 yr; stature, 180 ± 7 cm; body mass, 77 ± 7 kg), currently training and competing in intermittent sprint sports, performed a repeated maximal sprint running protocol (12 × 30 m, 30-s rest periods). Pre- and postexercise twitch responses to transcutaneous motor point stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation were obtained to assess knee extensor neuromuscular and corticospinal function, respectively. Throughout the protocol, during alternate rest periods, blood lactate samples were taken and a single knee extensor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors was performed, with motor point stimulation delivered during and 2 s after, to determine voluntary activation (VA) and peripheral fatigue. The repeated-sprint protocol induced significant increases in sprint time and blood [lactate] from the third sprint onwards (P < 0.001). Furthermore, knee extensor MVC, resting twitch amplitude, and VA were all significantly reduced after two sprints and reached their nadir after sprint 10 (Δ12%, Δ24%, Δ8%, P < 0.01, respectively). In line with a reduction in motor point-derived VA, there was also a reduction in VA measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation (Δ9%, P < 0.05) immediately after exercise. These data are the first to demonstrate the development of neuromuscular fatigability of the knee extensors during and immediately after repeated-sprint exercise. Peripheral and central factors contributing to muscle fatigability were evident after two maximal sprints, and over half of the drop in postexercise MVC was due to supraspinal fatigue. Thus, peripheral, central, and supraspinal factors all contribute to the performance decrement and fatigability of the knee extensors after maximal repeated-sprint activity.

Changes in muscle recruitment of the lower limb musculature following repeated sprints between the wickets

Introduction: It is well known that overuse injuries of the lower limb musculature are a common occurrence in batsmen. The repeated sprint activity between the wickets in addition to the rapid accelerations and decelerations required when sprinting and turning have been proposed to be linked to these overuse injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether muscle recruitment patterns and sprint times change over time during sprinting between the wickets comparing two conditions of varying intensity of effort.

Repeated High-Speed Activities during Youth Soccer Games in Relation to Changes in Maximal Sprinting and Aerobic Speeds

The aim of this study was to examine in highly-trained young soccer players whether substantial changes in either maximal sprinting speed (MSS) or maximal aerobic speed (as inferred from peak incremental test speed, V(Vam-Eval)) can affect repeated high-intensity running during games. Data from 33 players (14.5±1.3 years), who presented substantial changes in either MSS or V(Vam-Eval) throughout 2 consecutive testing periods (~3 months) were included in the final analysis. For each player, time-motion analyses were performed using a global positioning system (1-Hz) during 2-10 international club games played within 1-2 months from/to each testing period of interest (n for game analyzed=109, player-games=393, games per player per period=4±2). Sprint activities were defined as at least a 1-s run at intensities higher than 61% of individual MSS. Repeated-sprint sequences (RSS) were defined as a minimum of 2 consecutive sprints interspersed with a maximum of 60 s of recovery. Improvements in both MSS and V(Vam-Eval) were likely associated with a decreased RSS occurrence, but in some positions only (e. g., - 24% vs. - 3% for improvements in MSS in strikers vs. midfielders, respectively). The changes in the number of sprints per RSS were less clear but also position-dependent, e. g., +7 to +12% for full-backs and wingers, - 5 to - 7% for centre-backs and midfielders. In developing soccer players, changes in repeated-sprint activity during games do not necessarily match those in physical fitness. Game tactical and strategic requirements are likely to modulate on-field players' activity patterns independently (at least partially) of players' physical capacities.

Repeated High-Intensity Running and Sprinting in Elite Women’s Soccer Competition

To the authors' knowledge, no study has investigated the concurrent repeated, high-intensity (RHIA) and repeated-sprint activity (RSA) of intermittent team-sport competition. In this study, they report on the RSA of elite women's football competition. In addition, they describe the nature of RHIA (eg, striding and sprinting activities) that involve a high energy cost and are associated with short (ie, ≤20 s) recovery periods. Thirteen elite women soccer players underwent video-based time-motion analysis on 34 occasions during national and international standard matches. RSA and RHIA were defined as successive (ie, 2) sprints or striding and sprinting efforts that occurred with ≤20 s between efforts. The number of RSA and RHIA bouts performed was similar between the first and second halves of matches. Sprinting and striding/sprinting durations tended to remain relatively stable irrespective of the number of efforts in an RSA or RHIA bout or the period of play. However, recovery duration between efforts increased in the second half, when a greater number of efforts were performed per bout. These findings suggest that first- to second-half reductions in RHIA and RSA do not occur in elite women's soccer competition. However, players increase the amount of low-intensity recovery undertaken between RHIA and RSA efforts, most likely in an attempt to maintain RHIA and RSA performance. These findings emphasize the importance of RSA and RHIA to elite women's soccer and highlight the importance of training this quality to prevent reductions in performance during competitive match play.

β-alanine supplementation improves YoYo intermittent recovery test performance

Backgroundβ-alanine supplementation has been shown to improve high-intensity exercise performance and capacity. However, the effects on intermittent exercise are less clear, with no effect shown on repeated sprint activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of β-alanine supplementation on YoYo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (YoYo IR2) performance.MethodsSeventeen amateur footballers were allocated to either a placebo (PLA; N = 8) or β-alanine (BA; N = 9) supplementation group, and performed the YoYo IR2 on two separate occasions, pre and post 12 weeks of supplementation during a competitive season. Specifically, players were supplemented from early to mid-season (PLA: N = 5; BA: N = 6) or mid- to the end of the season (PLA: N = 3; BA: N = 3). Data were analysed using a two factor ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analyses.ResultsPre supplementation scores were 1185 ± 216 and 1093 ± 148 m for PLA and BA, with no differences between groups (P = 0.41). YoYo performance was significantly improved for BA (+34.3%, P ≤ 0.001) but not PLA (−7.3%, P = 0.24) following supplementation. 2 of 8 (Early – Mid: 2 of 5; Mid – End: 0 of 3) players improved their YoYo scores in PLA (Range: -37.5 to + 14.7%) and 8 of 9 (Early – Mid: 6 of 6; Mid – End: 2 of 3) improved for BA (Range: +0.0 to +72.7%).Conclusions12 weeks of β-alanine supplementation improved YoYo IR2 performance, likely due to an increased muscle buffering capacity resulting in an attenuation of the reduction in intracellular pH during high-intensity intermittent exercise.

The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Power Performance During Repeated Sprint Activity

The dipeptide carnosine has been shown to contribute to the buffer capacity of hydrogen ions (H) during intense exercise. Increasing skeletal muscle carnosine levels through beta-alanine (BA) supplementation has been shown to maintain acid-base balance, delay fatigue, and improve exercise performance. We designed this study to examine the effect of 5 weeks of BA supplementation on repeat high-intensity sprint performance. Nineteen, physically active, college men were divided into 2 groups (control [C], n = 10 or BA, n = 9). We performed double-blind placebo-controlled study where subjects ingested 4 g per day during the first week and 6 g per day over the next 4 weeks of a placebo (rice flour) or a BA supplement. Subjects completed 2 sets of 5 5-second sprints with 45-second recovery separated by 2 minutes of active recovery. All tests were conducted on a non-motorized treadmill against a resistance of 15% of the participant's body weight. We recorded horizontal power (HP) of the running sprint. Post-exercise capillary blood samples were analyzed for lactate to determine the metabolic demands. There were no significant between-group differences (p > 0.05) in HPpeak or HPmean for the repeat sprint protocol. No significant between-group differences were found for performance decrement (% fatigue) for HPpeak or HPmean. In addition, no significant interactions were observed. Post-exercise blood lactate values were similar pre and post supplementation in both groups. The results of this study clearly indicate that 5 weeks of BA supplementation provides no benefit for repeat sprint performance.

Greater Fatigue During Repeated-Sprint Exercise with Shortened Recovery is not Associated with Changes in Systemic Acid-Base Balance

Repeated-sprint activity leads to a decline in mechanical performance (power output), a phenomenon called muscle fatigue. Changes in acid-base status (i.e., metabolic acidosis) have previously been suggested to contribute to fatigue during repeated-sprint exercise. One way to test this hypothesis would be to determine if differences in fatigue, as a result of different repeated-sprint protocols, could be explained by differences in acid-base status. PURPOSE: The present study investigated the effects of varying the recovery time between consecutive sprints on repeated-sprint exercise performance and possible contributing mechanisms. METHODS: Eight young men completed two trials of 18, 4-s cycling sprints, in a random order, on two occasions. In one trial the exercise protocol consisted of 3 sets of 6 sprints separated by 20-s passive recovery intervals. Between each set of sprints subjects rested for 180 s (short recovery protocol; SRP). In the second trial, the exercise protocol consisted of 6 sets of 3 sprints, also separated by 20-s passive recovery intervals. Between each set of sprints subjects rested for 180 s (long recovery protocol; LRP). RESULTS: Relative to the first sprint, PPO decreased more during the SRP compared with LRP over the first 6 sprints (16.1% vs. 8.2%; P = 0.03), 12 sprints (19.4% vs. 11.8%; P = 0.05), and 18 sprints (23.3% vs. 11.7%; P = 0.004). Similarly, the decrease in TW was higher in SRP compared with LRP at any time point (10.1% – 12.6%; P = 0.01–0.003). Relative to the LRP, the SRP trial resulted in a substantial decrease in total work after sprint 6(−6.1%;P=0.002), sprint 12 (−6.2%; P=0.002) and sprint 18 (−7.4%; P=0.003). Despite these differences in repeated-sprint exercise performance, changes in blood acid-base status (pH, lactate, HCO3-), cardiovascular load (heart rate) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) did not differ between the two conditions at any time point (i.e., rest, sprint 6, sprint 12 and sprint 18). CONCLUSION: Differences in repeated-sprint exercise performance, associated with the reduction of the available rest time between sprints, could not be explained by acute changes in systemic acid-base status.

Time-motion analysis of elite field hockey during several games in succession: A tournament scenario

International field hockey tournaments may require teams to play three games within a period of four days. Therefore, there is potential for residual fatigue to affect the movement patterns of players during subsequent games. The purpose of this study was to document changes in time-motion analysis of 14 elite male field hockey players during three games within a period of four days during an international tournament. In addition, the nature of and any changes in repeated-sprint activity were investigated using a criteria of a minimum of three sprints with a mean recovery duration between sprints of < 21 s. The percent of total game time spent standing significantly increased across all three games (7.4+/-.2, 11.2+/-2.7 and 15.6+/-5.6%, respectively, P<0.05). Conversely, the percent time spent jogging significantly decreased from game 1 to game 2 and from game 1 to game 3 (40.5+/-7.3, 34.8+/-7.4 and 29.4+/-5.7%, respectively, P<0.05). Furthermore, the percent time in striding significantly increased from game 1 to game 3 and from game 2 to game 3 (4.1+/-1.3, 5.1+/-0.9 and 5.8+/-1.4%, respectively. P<0.05). Changes in mean motion frequency and duration were recorded across games for the motions of standing, striding and sprinting. The frequency of exercise bouts that met the criteria for 'repeated-sprint' decreased across the three games (17, 11 and 8, respectively). In summary, the results suggest that when elite field hockey players play three games within four days there are significant changes in time-motion analysis.

Time–motion analysis of elite field hockey, with special reference to repeated-sprint activity

Limited information exists about the movement patterns of field-hockey players, especially during elite competition. Time–motion analysis was used to document the movement patterns during an international field-hockey game. In addition, the movement patterns of repeated-sprint activity were investigated, as repeated-sprint ability is considered to be an important fitness component of team-sport performance. Fourteen members of the Australian men's field-hockey team (age 26±3 years, body mass 76.7±5.6 kg, [Vdot]O2max 57.9±3.6 ml · kg−1 · min−1; mean±s) were filmed during an international game and their movement patterns were analysed. The majority of the total player game time was spent in the low-intensity motions of walking, jogging and standing (46.5±8.1, 40.5±7.0 and 7.4±0.9%, respectively). In comparison, the proportions of time spent in striding and sprinting were 4.1±1.1 and 1.5±0.6%, respectively. Our criteria for ‘repeated-sprint’ activity (defined as a minimum of three sprints, with mean recovery duration between sprints of less than 21 s) was met on 17 occasions during the game (total for all players), with a mean 4±1 sprints per bout. On average, 95% of the recovery during the repeated-sprint bouts was of an active nature. In summary, the results suggest that the motion activities of an elite field-hockey competition are similar to those of elite soccer, rugby and Australian Rules football. In addition, the investigation of repeated-sprint activity during competition has provided additional information about the unique physiological demands of elite field-hockey performance.