The relationships of activity patterns and heart rate profiles with physical performance tests in premier league club field hockey players in Johannesburg

Abstract

Purpose: The physical match demands in field sports such as football are well known, yet the description of these demands during field hockey, as well as their relationship with fitness tests are limited, specifically at club level. Therefore, the aims of this study were to describe the physical match performance (activity and heart rate profiles) of field hockey players in the premier league, and to determine the relationships between fitness capacity and high intensity match activity (running and sprinting). Methods: Fitness and physical match performance data were collected from 27 male and 29 female participants over nine matches with each player tested on one to three occasions. Fitness tests performed were the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level One, submaximal heart rate recovery (at 10, 20, 30 and 60 seconds), and repeat sprint ability. Results: The percent of match time spent above 95% maximal heart rate decreased significantly in both males (p < 0.01) and females (p < 0.05) in the second half. In addition, the percent of playing time spent running and sprinting decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the second half in males only. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level One was significantly correlated to percent of playing time spent running during matches in females (r= 0.54, p < 0.05). Heart rate recovery (10s, 20s, 30s) was significantly correlated with percent of playing time spent sprinting during matches in females (r= 0.73, p < 0.01, r= 0.53, p < 0.05 and r= 0.58, p < 0.05) respectively. Furthermore, heart rate recovery (60s) was significantly correlated with percent of match playing time spent running in females (r= 0.77, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Both male and female club level field hockey players experience a high physiological stress during matches, and male players have a decrease in running and sprinting performance during the second half of competition. This information can be used to optimize training interventions. Additionally, fitness tests such as the submaximal heart rate recovery can be used to assess a player’s capability to perform high intensity activity during matches. Such tests are less fatiguing than maximal tests and may be implemented as a field hockey specific fitness test at club level.