A Comparison of Peak Intensity Periods across Male Field Hockey Competitive Standards

• Main Authors: Eoin Cunniffe (Author), Adam Grainger (Author), Walter McConnell (Author), Ulrik McCarthy Persson (Author), Eamonn Delahunt (Author), Colin Boreham (Author), Catherine Blake (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2021-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/sports9050058; 2075-4663
• Keywords: external load; global positioning systems; match analysis; field hockey; team sports; Sports; GV557-1198.995
• Source: Sports, Vol 9, Iss 5, p 58 (2021)

This investigation aimed to compare the international level peak intensity period of male field hockey players to those experienced during professional and amateur club hockey match play. Twenty-seven players from an international squad were monitored for all activity relating to field hockey over three seasons. The peak intensity period, of 3 min duration, was extracted from match play files for international and club matches. Club matches were categorised by league standard-professional vs. amateur. The output for the peak intensity period, within positions, was compared using linear mixed models (LMMs) and post hoc pairwise comparisons. Significance levels were set as <i>p</i> < 0.05 and Cohen's d was utilised for effect sizes. Competition level had a main effect on relative total distance <i>(p</i> < 0.05) and significant interaction effects were found between competition level and position (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Midfielders competing in amateur leagues and international match play completed less relative total distance than those who compete in professional leagues (−47.88 m/min, <i>p</i> < 0.05), (−46.06 m/min, <i>p</i> < 0.05) with large effect sizes reported. No other position displayed significant differences for peak periods. Match play in professional leagues provide opportunities for midfielders to experience peak intensity periods of a greater magnitude than international match play.