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The aim of this study was to determine the physical and physiological demands of intercounty camogie match-play between positions and halves of play. Data were collected from 28 players during 18 competitive games using global positioning systems (10-Hz) and heart rate monitors (2.4-GHz). The study demonstrated that intercounty camogie players covered a total distance (TD) (m ± SD) of 6,040 ± 628 m, relative distance (RD) of 83 ± 13 m⋅min-1, and maximum speed of 25 ± 1 km⋅h-1. Furthermore, the players covered a mean sprint distance of 214 ± 112 m and 14 ± 6 sprints. Players' mean heart rate (HRmean) and HRmaxwas 138 ± 23 b⋅min-1 and 164 ± 20 b⋅min-1, respectively. There were decrements between halves in TD (p < 0.01, ES = -0.45), RD (p < 0.01, ES = -0.45), maximum speed (p < 0.05, ES 5 -0.18), HRmax(p < 0.05, ES = -0.23), running (p < 0.01, ES = -0.34), high-speed running (p < 0.01, ES = 0.34), sprinting (p < 0.01, ES 5 -0.10), HRmax(p < 0.05, ES = -0.23), and HRmax % (p < 0.05, ES = -0.24). Midfielders covered a greater TD compared with full-forwards (p < 0.05, ES 5 -0.38) and half-forwards (p < 0.05, ES 5 -0.38). Full-backs covered a significantly lower RD than midfielders (p < 0.05, ES 5 -1.2), half-backs compared with full-forwards (p < 0.05, ES 5 1.14), and half-forwards compared with full-forwards (p < 0.05, ES 5 1.15). Full-forwards covered significantly less RD when compared with half-backs (p < 0.05, ES 5 -1.14), midfielders (p < 0.05, ES 5 -1.47), and half-forwards (p < 0.05, ES 5 -1.15). The findings provide physical and physiological values on the match demands of intercounty camogie match-play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current investigation was to examine the locomotor performance profile of elite ladies Gaelic football (LGF) players in relation to playing position and quarters of play. Thirty (n = 30) elite LGF players (age: 24 ± 4 years, height: 169 ± 5 cm, body mass: 61 ± 4 kg) were monitored using 10 Hz GPS technology (Playertek; Catapult Sports; Australia) resulting in 145 individual samples collected over 18 competitive matches across the 2021 and 2022 LGF seasons. Locomotor performance was determined across the following variables: total distance covered (TD, m), relative distance (m·min−1), high-speed running (HSR, ≥ 4.4 m·s−1), very high-speed running (VHSR, ≥ 5.5 m·s−1), relative HSR (RHSR; m·min−1), peak velocity (m·s−1), percentage peak velocity (%PeakV), accelerations (n; ≥ 3 m·s−2), and decelerations (n; ≤ −3 m·s−2). Data were classified based on playing position and quarter of play. The greatest TD was covered by half-backs, midfielders, and half-forwards, with these positions covering significantly greater distances than full-backs (p < 0.05). Similarly, half-backs, midfielders, and half-forwards covered the greatest high-speed distance (HSR). When running performance was analysed across quarters, a significant position by quarter interaction was observed for all running performance variables, except peak velocity and percentage peak velocity. A consistent trend for reduced locomotor performance was evident in the second and fourth quarters across all positional lines. The current data provide coaches with the position-specific locomotor requirements of LGF match-play, which can inform the design of training content for LGF players, along with match-day strategies. Given the reduction in locomotor performance observed across the match, performance staff may consider the use of nutritional interventions, rewarm-up strategies, or specific substitution policies to mitigate the decrement in locomotor performance observed across match-play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the differences in training and match load in English Premier League (EPL) 1st team and U23 players. Identifying differences in relative and absolute physical outputs in relation to Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) and Maximal Sprint Speed (MSS) and how this informs monitoring and training prescription. Methods: Two groups of full-time professional football players (1st team, n = 24 and U23 squad, n = 27) participated in this study. Training and match data were categorised into weekly blocks from Monday to Sunday. Each player's weekly total was then averaged to provide a squad average for each metric examined. Results: Match analysis identified significantly higher distance covered above 120% MAS and distance between 120% MAS and 85% MSS (p =.04, effect size [ES] = 0.64; p <.01, ES = 1.13) for the 1st team. Distance above 85% MSS was significantly higher for the U23's (p <.01, ES = 2.92). Training and match data during one-match weeks displayed significantly higher differences in all high-speed variables for 1st team players compared to U23 players (p ≤.05, ES = 0.82–1.78). Analysis of training and match data during a two-match week displayed no significant differences for all physical variables (p >.05). Conclusions: Practitioners should consider the utilisation of individual relative thresholds to identify differences between physical performance variables during training and matches for 1st team and U23 players. Utilising these comparisons to inform training design, could maximise players physical development and potential for successful transition. Importantly, these findings relate to only one EPL club and therefore practitioners should assess their own players' relative training and game outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study examined the reliability of a novel Gaelic football match simulation protocol (GFSP) that simulates the match-specific activity demands of elite Gaelic football match-play. Methods: After familiarisation, 16 male Gaelic footballers performed the GFSP on two occasions, 7–10 days apart to determine the reliability of a range of team sport performance indicators. Results: The total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD) and sprint distance were 8479 ± 594 m, 2349 ± 308 m and 651 ± 319 m, respectively. In addition, decrements in TD (− 2.4%), HSRD (− 11.2%) and sprint distance (− 32.6%) from first to second half were observed. There was no significant difference between repeated trials of the GFSP for all running performance and physiological measurements. The GFSP demonstrates good test–retest reliability for the majority of performance and physiological responses. Between trial coefficient of variations (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were: TD 1.9%, 0.93; HSRD 3.0%, 0.93; sprint distance 17.6%, 0.86; peak speed 4.5%, 0.60; mean heart rate (HR) 1.8%; 0.94; peak HR 2.2%, 0.89. Conclusion: The current investigation shows that the GFSP replicates the average movement demands of elite Gaelic football match play. The current simulation is reliable and may be seen by practitioners as a viable monitoring tool within the Gaelic football research and training process to monitor the effectiveness of various training and nutritional interventions on Gaelic football-related performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the sprint performances of senior Camogie players between halves of play and between positions. Methods: Forty-three (n = 43) elite female Camogie players (23 ± 5 years; 174 ± 5 cm; 68 ± 9 kg) wore 10-Hz GPS devices (STATSports, Apex) to record data in 20 competitive matches during the 2018–2020 season. The total sprint distance (TSD), number of sprints (NOS) < 20 m and ≥ 20 m, and the NOS 80–90% and > 90% of the player's peak speed, the mean sprint duration, and between-sprint duration were analyzed. Results: The TSD was 162 ± 102 m accumulated by 9 ± 5 NOS. The NOS < 20 m and ≥ 20 m was 7 ± 3 and 3 ± 2, respectively. The NOS 80–90% and > 90% was 6 ± 3 and 3 ± 3, respectively. The mean sprint duration and between-sprint duration was 3 ± 1 s and 6:29 ± 3:12 min:sec, respectively. A second-half decrease was observed for TSD (ES = − 0.24), NOS (ES = − 0.33), NOS < 20 m (ES = − 0.50) and ≥ 20 m (ES = − 1.00), and NOS > 90% (ES = − 0.63). Full-backs accumulated less TSD and NOS than half-backs (ES = − 1.07, − 1.21, respectively), midfielders (ES = − 1.54, − 1.41, respectively) and half-forwards (ES = − 0.91, − 0.92, respectively). Midfielders and half-forwards had a longer mean length of sprint (ES = 0.88, 0.92, respectively) and mean sprint duration (ES = 0.66, 0.60, respectively) compared to full-backs. Half-backs performed a greater NOS < 20 m than full-backs (ES = 1.17). Conclusion: The current results provide a sprint profile of Camogie match-play, where positional differences should be considered in training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]