• Wayne Patrick Lombard 
  • Michael Ian Lambert 

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

This research aimed to analyse the physical performance and game-related statistics of 17 international female hockey players across an Olympic cycle, exploring whether these metrics changed synchronously. Data from 24 physical performance tests and 102 matches, monitored with 10 Hz GPS units, were evaluated. Minimal variability was observed in the 30 m sprint performance (Coefficient of Variation, CV = 2.3 ± 0.8%), while the greatest variability was found in pull-up tests (CV = 35.8 ± 12.1%). Significant temporal improvements were noted in the YoYo test (p < 0.001), and sprint times for 10m and 30m distances (p < 0.001 for both). Strength, muscular endurance, and neuromuscular metrics also enhanced significantly over time (p < 0.008). Reactive Strength Index (RSI), improved over time (p < 0.008), but none of the values differed significantly from the first test. On average, players covered 5469 ± 1159 m per match, with no significant change in high-speed running distance (637 ± 246 m) across the five years. However, the average running speed did increase (114 ± 13 m.min−1 ;p< 0.001). The findings elucidate the performance benchmarks for elite female hockey players and suggest that advancements in individual performance tests do not necessarily correlate with match statistics, underscoring the complexity of athletic progression and its implications for player management.

References

  1. Australian Institute of Sport (2014). In C. J. Gore, & R. K. Tanner (Eds.), Physiological tests for elite athletes (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.
     Google Scholar
  2. Bangsbo, J., Iaia, F. M., & Krustrup, P. (2008). The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Sports Medicine, 38(1), 37–51. https://doi. org/10.2165/00007256-200838010-00004.
     Google Scholar
  3. Bishop, C., Brazier, J., & Turner, A. (2015). A needs analysis and testing battery for field hockey. United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association, 36, 15–26.
     Google Scholar
  4. Cunniffe, E., Connor, M., Beato, M., Grainger, A., Mcconnell, W., & Blake, C. (2024). Analysing the physical output of international field hockey players through the lens of the phase of play. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 19(1), 338–352.
     Google Scholar
  5. Curran, O., Neville, R. D., Passmore, D., & MacNamara, Á. (2022). Variability in locomotor activity in a female junior interna- tional hockey team. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25(7), 586–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2022.02.007.
     Google Scholar
  6. Dickie, J. A., Faulkner, J. A., Barnes, M. J., & Lark, S. D.(2017). Electromyographic analysis of muscle activation during pull-up variations. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 32, 30–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.11.004.
     Google Scholar
  7. Haff, G. G., & Triplett, N. T. (2015). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (4th ed., vol. 26). Human Kinetics.
     Google Scholar
  8. Jennings, D., Cormack, S. J., & Coutts, A. J. (2012). GPS analysis of an international field hockey tournament. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 7, 224–231.
     Google Scholar
  9. Johnston,R. J., Watsford, M. L., Kelly, S.J., Pine, M. J., & Spurrs, R. W. (2014). Validity and interunit reliability of 10 Hz and 15 Hz GPS units for assessing athlete movement demands. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(6), 1649–1655. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000323.
     Google Scholar
  10. Kapteijns, J. A., Caen, K., Lievens, M., Bourgois, J. G., & Boone, J. (2021). Positional match running performance and performance profiles of elite female field hockey. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(9), 1295– 1302. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2020-0337.
     Google Scholar
  11. Lake, J. P., Augustus, S., Austin, K., Mundy, P., McMahon, J. J., Comfort, P., & Haff, G. G. (2018). The validity of the push band 2.0 during vertical jump performance. Sports, 6(4), 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6040140.
     Google Scholar
  12. Lauersen, J. B., Andersen, T. E., & Andersen, L. B. (2018). Strength training as superior, dose-dependent and safe prevention of acute and overuse sports injuries: A systematic review, qualitative analysis and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(24), 1557. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099078.
     Google Scholar
  13. Laursen, P., & Buchheit, M. (2019). Science and Application of High-Intensity Interval Training. Human Kinetics.
     Google Scholar
  14. Linke, D., & Lames, M. (2017). Substitutions in elite male field hockey—a case study. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 16(3), 924–934. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2016.11868939.
     Google Scholar
  15. Lombard, W. P., Cai, X., Lambert, M. I., Chen, X., & Mao, L. (2021). Relationships between physiological characteristics and match demands in elite-level male field hockey players. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 16(4), 985–993. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954121998065.
     Google Scholar
  16. Lombard, W., & Lambert, M. (2024). Physical fitness metrics and their relationship to locomotor activity profiles among female international field hockey players across an Olympic cycle. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 27(5), 341–353.
     Google Scholar
  17. McGuinness, A., Malone, S., Hughes, B., & Collins, K. (2018). The physical activity and physiological profiles of elite international female field hockey players across the quarters of competitive match-play. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(11), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000002483.
     Google Scholar
  18. McGuinness, A., Malone, S., Petrakos, G., & Collins, K. (2019). The physical and physiological demands of elite international female field hockey players during competitive match-play. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(11), 3105-3113.
     Google Scholar
  19. McMahon, G. E., & Kennedy, R. A. (2019). Changes in player activity profiles following the 2015 FIH rule changes in elite women’s hockey. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(11), 3114–3122. https://doi.org/10.1519/ jsc.0000000000002405.
     Google Scholar
  20. Newans, T., Bellinger, P., Drovandi, C., Buxton, S., & Minahan, C.(2022). The utility of mixed models in sport science: A call for further adoption in longitudinal data sets. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 17(8), 1289-1295. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0496.
     Google Scholar
  21. Seitz, L. B., Reyes, A., Tran, T. T., de Villarreal, E. S., , & Haff, G. G. (2014). Increases in lower-body strength transfer positively to sprint performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 44(12), 1693–1702. https://doi. org/10.1007/s40279-014-0227-1.
     Google Scholar
  22. Stratford, C., Dos’Santos, T., & McMahon, J. J. (2020). The 10/5 repeated jumps test: Are 10 repetitions and three trials necessary? Biomechanics, 1(1), 1–14. https:/zdoi.org/10.3390/biomechanics1010001.
     Google Scholar
  23. Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., & Stone, M. H. (2016). The importance of muscular strength in athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 46(10), 1419–1449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0486-0.
     Google Scholar
  24. Tromp, M., & Holmes, L. (2017). The effect of free-hit rule changes on match variables and patterns of play in international standard women’s field hockey. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11(2), 376–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2011.11868557.
     Google Scholar
  25. Turner, A. (2011). The science and practice of periodization; A brief review. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 33(1), 34–46. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0b013e3182079cdf
     Google Scholar