Collins, D.K., Doran, D.A., Morton, J., McRobert, A.P., Reilly, T.P. (2012) Work Rate Analysis of Elite Hurling Match-Play. In G. Whyte (Ed.). Presented at the In: Procceedings of ICSEMIS 2012 Pre-Olympic Conference: Sport Inspiring a Learning Legacy. 19-24th July, Glasgow, UK.
BACKGROUND
Global positioning system (GPS) monitoring of movement patterns is a method for quantifying the work-rate of athletes. This data provides a conceptual framework for the development and prescription of sport specific training regimes.
AIM(s)/ OBJECTIVE(s)
The aims of the study were to quantify the movement activity displayed by elite hurling players and to examine the occurrence of high-intensity activity during match-play.
METHODS
Fifty-three, male outfield elite hurling players wore 15 Hz GPS (GPSports, Australia) units in 3 non-competitive games (70 min). The movement activities were categorized as passive (0-7 km·h-1), slow (7-12 km·h-1), medium (12-17 km·h-1), fast (17-22 km·h-1) and maximal (22-40 km·h-1). For each activity, total distance, percentage of distance and percentage of total time were calculated. Activities were further classified into low-intensity (LI: 0-17 km·h-1) and high-intensity (HI: 17-40 km·h-1) activity. Variations between each half were analysed using a paired t-test and is presented as mean and standard deviation. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS/ FINDINGS
The average distance covered during the game was 8017 ± 1145 m, with a range of 6067 – 10636 m. A significant difference in the total distance covered, (p<.001) between the first (4112.2 m ± 612) and second halves (3905 m ± 556) was observed. A significant difference in the distance covered in LI (p<.001) and HI (p=.001) activity between the first (LI: 3430 m ± 550; HI: 682 m ± 197 m) and second half (LI: 3261 m ± 514; HI: 649 m ± 189) was also observed.
DISCUSSION
Elite hurling requires intermittent bouts of low-intensity movement patterns interspersed with periods of complex high-intensity activity. This indicates that field based fitness tests or training regimen should be both multi-modal and intermittent in nature to simulate the demands of match-play. Decrements in performance may be related to fatigue and requires further investigation.
Table1. The physical demands of hurling represented by distance, percentage distance and percentage time.
