Citation

Collins K, McRobert A, Morton JP, Sullivan DO, Doran DA. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2018; 32(3): 805-811.

Affiliation

Gaelic Sports Research Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool, L3 2ET.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000001822

PMID

28562524

Abstract

The current study describes the global work-rate of elite hurling match-play and the influence which positional difference has on work-rate is considered. The movement of ninety-four players was recorded using GPS, sampling at 4Hz in a total of 12 games. Data were classified according to the positional line on the field and period of the match. The total and high speed distance of match-play was 7617 ± 1219 m (95% CI, 7367 - 7866) and 1134 ± 358 m (95% CI, 1060 - 1206) respectively. The maximum speed attained was 29.8 ± 2.3 kmhr with a mean speed of 6.1 ± 1 kmhr. The second (271 ± 107 m [p=.001; ES=0.25]), third (278 ± 118 m [p=.001; ES=0.21]) and fourth quarter (255 ± 108 m [p=.001; ES=0.31]) high speed running distance differed significantly from the first quarter (330 ± 120 m). There was a significant difference in total (p=.001; ES=0.01-0.85), high speed running (p=.001; ES=0.21-0.76) and sprint (p=0.013; ES=0.01-0.39) distance across the positions, with midfielders undertaking the highest volume of work, followed by the half-forward and half-back lines and finally the full-forward and full-back lines. A decrease in high speed running distance appears to occur through out the game and in particular at the latter stages of each half. Distinct positional work profiles are evident. The present finding provide a context upon which training which replicates the work-rate of match-play may be formulated, thus helping to improve the physical preparation of elite players.

Language: en