The Maximal Intensity Period: Rationalising its Use in Team Sports Practice.

Quantifying the highest intensity of competition (the maximal intensity period [MIP]) for varying durations in team sports has been used to identify training targets to inform the preparation of players. However, its usefulness has recently been questioned since it may still underestimate the training intensity required to produce specific physiological adaptations. Within this conceptual review, we aimed to: (i) describe the methods used to determine the MIP; (ii) compare the data obtained using MIP or whole-match analysis, considering the influence of different contextual factors; (iii) rationalise the use of the MIP in team sports practice and (iv) provide limitations and future directions in the area. Different methods are used to determine the MIP, with MIP values far greater than those derived from averaging across the whole match, although they could be affected by contextual factors that should be considered in practice. Additionally, while the MIP might be utilised during sport-specific drills, it is inappropriate to inform the intensity of interval-based, repeated sprint and linear speed training modes. Lastly, MIP does not consider any variable of internal load, a major limitation when informing training practice. In conclusion, practitioners should be aware of the potential use or misuse of the MIP.

The Between-Competition Running Demands of Elite Hurling Match-Play.

The current study aimed to investigate the differences in running demands between the National Hurling League (NHL) and the Championship, and within playing positions. GPS (10 Hz, STATSports Apex GNSS) were used to analyse the running demands during 34 games (2017-2020 seasons) of the Championship and the NHL. The running demands (total-, relative-, high-speed- [>17 km·h-1] and sprint [≥22 km·h-1] distance, number and length of sprints, and peak speed) were compared between competitions. Greater total- [ES = 0.32], relative- [ES = 0.26], and sprint-distance [ES = 0.41], and number of sprints [ES = 1.29] were completed in the Championship. The high-speed distance was similar between competitions. Half-backs and half-forwards covered greater total- (ES = 0.91 and 0.21, respectively), relative- (ES = 1.14 and 0.68, respectively), high-speed- (ES = 0.69 and 0.44, respectively), and sprint-distance (ES = 0.50 and 1.26, respectively), number of sprints (ES = 2.66 and 1.73, respectively), and peak speed (ES = 1.09 and 1.32, respectively) in the Championship. There was no difference (p < 0.05) in the sprint distance covered between positions in the Championship. The results showed that the Championship is more physically demanding. The findings present key implications for the transition between competitions.

Lower-Limb Muscle Strength, Anterior-Posterior and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Professional, Elite Academy and Amateur Soccer Players.

Given the importance of the lower-limb strength and strength balance in soccer players and its relationship with injury prevention and performance, the present study compared quadriceps and hamstrings strength, the conventional (Hconc:Qconc), functional (Hecc:Qconc) hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio and inter-limb strength asymmetry in professional, elite academy and amateur male soccer players. In this cross-sectional study, two hundred-six soccer players (professional = 75, elite academy = 68, amateurs = 63) volunteered to participate. Quadriceps and hamstrings isokinetic peak torque was investigated at 60° .s-1 in both the concentric and eccentric modality and at 300°.s-1 in the concentric modality. The conventional Hconc:Qconc, functional Hecc:Qconc ratio and quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry were then calculated. Professional players presented greater quadriceps and hamstrings strength than elite academy (effect size from small to moderate) and amateur players (moderate to very large). Both the conventional Hconc:Qconc and functional Hecc:Qconc ratio were greater in professional than elite academy and amateur players (small to moderate). Overall, quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry was greater in amateurs than professional (small to very large) and elite academy (trivial to large) players. The present findings provide coaches and medical staffs with normative lower-limb muscle strength data on professional, academy and amateur soccer players. Overall lower-limb muscle strength and inter-limb strength asymmetry could be used to evaluate possible inference on injury prevention and performance. The hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio poorly differentiates between the soccer players background and offers limited prediction for injury prevention and performance.

Acceleration, Deceleration and Dynamic Stress Load in Elite Hurling: A Between-Quarter and Between-Position Comparison.

This study described the decrement in accelerations, decelerations and dynamic stress load (DSL) between quarters in elite hurling. GPS (10-Hz) were used to record data from 42 players over 22 games (2018-2020 season). The number of accelerations and decelerations and DSL between quarters were assessed. Accelerations and decelerations were greater in Q1 than Q2 (ES = 0.28 and ES = 0.44, respectively), and Q4 (ES = 0.57 and ES = 0.60, respectively), and in Q3 compared to Q4 (ES = 0.50 and ES = 0.44, respectively). The DSL was 56 ± 21 AU in Q1, 56 ± 20 AU in Q2, 52 ± 20 AU in Q3 and 56 ± 24 AU in Q4. There was a decrease in DSL in Q3 compared to Q1 (ES = -0.20) and Q2 (ES = -0.20). Each position experienced a temporal decrease in at least one quarter (ES = 0.43-1.46) in all metrics except full-backs', half-backs' and full forwards' accelerations, midfielders' decelerations and midfielders' and half forwards' DSL. Current data show temporal decrements in running performance in Q2 and Q4 and DSL in Q3. Players should be conditioned to minimize the drop-off in running performances following the third quarter.

The Performance Effect of Scheduled Carbohydrate and Caffeine Intake during Simulated Team Sport Match-Play.

The aim of the current investigation was to identify the effects of scheduled carbohydrate (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation on simulated team sport match-play performance. Ten male hurling players completed three hurling match-play simulation protocols (HSP) performed 7 days apart in a double-blind, randomized design. Supplementation included CHO, CHO + CAF, and placebo (PLA). In a randomized order, participants ingested either a 6% CHO solution, a PLA solution of similar taste, or a combined intake of 6% CHO solution + 200 mg CAF capsule. At specific time points (Pre-0 min; half time (HT)-30 min; full time (FT)-60 min), participants completed a repeated sprint protocol (RAST; 12 × 20 m). Physiological [% maximal oxygen uptake (%VO2max), % mean oxygen uptake (%VO2mean), % maximal heart rate (%HRmax), % mean heart rate (%HRmean), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and blood lactate (BLa)] and performance [(best sprint time (RSAbest), mean sprint time (RSAmean), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE)] variables were monitored throughout each simulation. Non-significant differences were observed between supplement trials (CHO, CHO + CAF, and PLA) for BLa (η2 = 0.001, small), %VO2max (η2 = 0.001, small), %VO2mean (η2 = 0.004, small), %HRmax (η2 = 0.007, small), %HRmean (η2 = 0.018, small), RER (η2 = 0.007, small), RPE (η2 = 0.007, small), and RSAbest (η2 = 0.050, small). RSAmean performance significantly improved in CHO + CAF trials compared to PLA, with sprint times significantly improved from Pre to FT also (η2 = 0.135, medium). A significant difference was observed in BLa between time points (Pre, HT, and FT) (η2 = 0.884, large) in % HRmax (η2 = 0.202, medium), %HRmean (η2 = 0.477, large), and RER (η2 = 0.554, large) across halves and in RPE across time points (η2 = 0.670, large). Our data provide novel data regarding the effects of CHO and CAF supplementation on team sport performance, with co-ingestion of CHO + CAF reducing the decrement in repeated sprint performance compared to PLA.

Match-Play Temporal and Position-Specific Physical and Physiological Demands of Senior Hurlers.

Young, D, Beato, M, Mourot, L, and Coratella, G. Match-play temporal and position-specific physical and physiological demands of senior hurlers. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1759-1768, 2020-The aims of the current study were to examine the temporal differences in match-running performances and heart rate (HR) in elite senior hurling players between halves of play and field positions. Global positioning systems (10 Hz) and HR monitors were used to collect data from 48 players over 18 games. Running performances (total distance [TD], relative distance, high-speed running [HSR], sprint efforts [SE], mean length of sprints, and sprint distance [SD]) and HR values (HRmean and HRpeak) were assessed. Decrements in TD (p = 0.009, effect size [ES] = -0.15), relative distance (p = 0.009, ES = -0.18), HSR (p = 0.001, ES = -0.28), SE (p = 0.001, ES = -0.23), SD (p = 0.001, ES = -0.24), HRmean (p < 0.001, ES = -0.38), and HRpeak (p < 0.001, ES = -0.21) were found between halves. Half backs showed between-half decrements in all metrics (p < 0.05) except SD (p = 0.130, ES = -0.26). Midfielders (p < 0.001, ES = -0.68) and half forwards (p < 0.001, ES = -0.79) experienced second-half decrements in HSR. No decrements (p > 0.05) in running performances were found between halves for full backs. HRmean was lower in full backs (p = 0.007, ES = -0.46) and half backs (p = 0.001, ES = -0.76) in the second half. Coaches should consider the specific HSR between-half temporal decrements in half backs, midfielders, and half forwards, and customize training program design to minimize these decrements.

Match-Play Demands of Elite U17 Hurlers During Competitive Matches.

Young, D, Mourot, L, Beato, M, and Coratella, G. Match-play demands of elite U17 hurlers during competitive matches. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 1982-1989, 2020-The current study aimed to quantify the match-play workload in elite male under 17 hurlers, measuring the differences between the first and second halves and between positions. Global positioning system (10-Hz) and heart rate monitors were used to collect data from 76 players during 18 matches. Players' total distance (TD), relative distance (RD), high-speed running (HSR), the number and length of sprints, and the total sprint distance (TSD) was 6,483 ± 1,145 m, 108 ± 19 m·min, 583 ± 215 m, 18 ± 6, 15 ± 3 m, and 272 ± 77 m, respectively. Peak and mean heart rate were 194 ± 8 b·min and 167 ± 4 b·min, respectively. Decrements in TD (p < 0.001, effect size [ES] = 0.72), RD (p < 0.001, ES = 0.72), HSR (p < 0.001, ES = 0.55), the number of sprints (p < 0.001, ES = 0.57), mean length of sprint (p < 0.011, ES = 0.25), TSD (p < 0.001, ES = 0.69), mean heart rate (p < 0.001, ES = 0.35), and peak heart rate (p < 0.001, ES = 0.52) were found between halves. Largely-to-very largely greater TD, RD, and HSR were covered by midfielders, half-backs, and half-forwards compared with full-backs and full-forwards. No between-position difference was found in peak and mean heart rate. The current results are the first to highlight the differences in external and internal position-specific workload in elite male under 17 hurlers. Coaches need to consider the position-specific demands and between-half drop-off to prepare young hurlers appropriately to repeat the match-play performances of competition.

Identification of Maximal Running Intensities During Elite Hurling Match-Play.

Young, D, Malone, S, Beato, M, Mourot, L, and Coratella, G. Iidentification of maximal running intensities during elite hurling match-play. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2608-2617, 2020-The current study aimed to describe the duration-specific running intensities of elite hurling players during competition with respect to position using a rolling average method. Global positioning systems (10-Hz Viper; STATSport, Viper, Newry, Northern Ireland) were used to collect data from 36 elite hurling players across 2 seasons. Players were categorized according to playing positions (full-backs, half-backs, midfielders, half-forwards, and full-forwards). A total of 230 full match samples were obtained from 22 competitive games for analysis. The velocity-time curve was analyzed using a rolling average method, in which the maximum relative total distance (TD; m·min), high-speed running distance (HSR; m·min), and sprint distance (SD; m·min) intensities were calculated across 10 different rolling time durations (1-10 minutes) within each game. There were large to very large (effect sizes [ES] = 0.66-4.33) differences between 1 minute rolling averages and all other durations for TD, HSR, and SD. However, pairwise comparisons between 6 and 10 minutes for TD, HSR, and SD were smaller and more variable (ES = 0.07, trivial to ES = 0.85, moderate). Half-backs, midfielders, and half-forwards achieved a higher maximal relative TD and HSR in all duration-specific fields when compared with full-backs and full-forwards. No positional difference was observed in 1- and 2-minute durations for SD. Because the rolling average duration increased the maximum TD, HSR and SD running intensities decreased across all positions. These data provide knowledge of the peak running intensities of elite hurling competition and can be used to design training activities to sufficiently prepare players for these "worst-case scenarios."

The match-play sprint performance of elite senior hurlers during competitive games.

The typical sprint profile in elite hurling has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sprinting demands of elite hurling competition and characterize the sprinting patterns of different playing positions. GPS (10-Hz, STATSports Viper) were used to collect data from 51 hurlers during 18 games. The total sprint (≥22 km·h-1) distance (TSD), the number of sprints (NOS) classified as length (<20 m, ≥20 m) and relative speed thresholds (<80%, 80-90%, >90%), the between-sprint duration and the number of repeated-sprint bouts (≥2 sprints in ≤60 s) were analyzed. The NOS was 22.2 ± 6.8 accumulating 415 ± 140 m TSD. The NOS <20 m, ≥20 m was 14.0 ± 4.7 and 8.1 ± 3.6 respectively. The NOS <80%, 80-90% and >90% was 10.6 ± 4.3, 8.2 ± 3.6, 3.4 ± 2.4 respectively. The between-sprint duration and the repeated-sprint bouts were 208 ± 86 s and 4.5 ± 2.6 respectively. TSD (ES = -0.20), NOS (ES = -0.34), NOS <20 m (ES = -0.33), ≥20 m (ES = -0.24), 80-90% (ES = -0.35) >90% (ES = -0.13) and repeated-sprint bouts (ES = -0.28) decreased between-halves. Full-backs performed a lower NOS <80% than half-backs (ES = -0.66) and a shorter mean duration of sprints than half-backs (ES = -0.75), midfielders (ES = -1.00) and full-forwards (ES = -0.59). These findings provide a sprint profile of elite hurling match-play that coaches should consider to replicate the sprint demands of competition in training.

Metabolic power in hurling with respect to position and halves of match-play.

The current investigation compared the metabolic power and energetic characteristics in team sports with respect to positional lines and halves of match-play. Global positioning system (GPS) technology data were collected from 22 elite competitive hurling matches over a 3-season period. A total of 250 complete match-files were recorded with players split into positional groups of full-back; half-back; midfield; half-forward; full-forward. Raw GPS data were exported into a customized spreadsheet that provided estimations of metabolic power and speed variables across match-play events (average metabolic power [Pmet], high metabolic load distance [HMLD], total distance, relative distance, high-speed distance, maximal speed, accelerations, and deceleration). Pmet, HMLD, total, relative and high-speed distance were 8.9 ± 1.6 W·kg-1, 1457 ± 349 m, 7506 ± 1364 m, 107 ± 20 m·min-1 and 1169 ± 260 m respectively. Half-backs, midfielders and half-forwards outperformed full-backs (Effect Size [ES] = 1.03, 1.22 and 2.07 respectively), and full-forwards in Pmet (Effect Size [ES] = 1.70, 2.07 and 1.28 respectively), and HMLD (full-backs: ES = -1.23, -1.37 and -0.84 respectively, and full-forwards: ES = -1.77, -2.00 and -1.38 respectively). Half-backs (ES = -0.60), midfielders (ES = -0.81), and half-forwards (ES = -0.74) experienced a second-half temporal decrement in HMLD. The current investigation demonstrates that metabolic power may increase our understanding of the match-play demands placed on elite hurling players. Coaches may utilize these findings to construct training drills that replicate match-play demands.

The Match Heart Rate and Running Profile of Elite Under-21 Hurlers During Competitive Match-Play.

Young, D, Mourot, L, Beato, M, and Coratella, G. The match heart rate and running profile of elite under-21 hurlers during competitive match-play. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2925-2933, 2018-The aims of the current study were to examine the physical and physiological demands of elite under-21 male hurling match-play across halves of play and between positions. Global positioning systems (10 Hz) and heart rate (HR) monitors were used to collect data from 95 players during 10 games. Total distance (TD), relative speed, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, total sprints, and mean length of sprint was 6,688 ± 942 m, 112 ± 16 m·min, 661 ± 203 m, 274 ± 111 m, 18 ± 8 m, and 16 ± 5 m, respectively. Players' mean HR (HRmean) and peak HR (HRpeak) was 165 ± 9 b·min and 190 ± 7 b·min, respectively. Decrements in TD (p < 0.05, effect size [ES] = 0.81), HSR (p < 0.05, ES = 0.69), and HRmean (p < 0.05, ES = 0.80) were found between halves. Full backs covered significantly less TD than half backs (p < 0.05, ES = -1.24), midfielders (p < 0.05, ES = -1.39), and half forwards (p < 0.05, ES = -1.85). Half forwards covered a greater TD than full forwards (p < 0.05, ES = 0.94), greater HSR than full backs (p < 0.05, ES = 1.13), and greater sprint distance than half backs (p < 0.05, ES = 1.41). Between-half decreases were evident in TD, HSR, and HRmean, with no significant positional differences observed in TD, HSR, number of sprints, length of sprint, HRpeak, and HRmean between half backs, midfielders, and half forwards. The current findings provide data that coaches should consider to customize training program design for under-21 hurlers.