Activity profile, PlayerLoad™ and heart rate response of Gaelic football players : A pilot study

The objectives of this study were to; quantify positional differences in the activity profiles of Gaelic football players and to evaluate decrements in physical performance during a pre-season competition. Global positioning system (GPS) data was recorded from 36 players from 3 teams across 5 games. The relative distance covered in locomotor activities, peak speed, relative PlayerLoad™ (PL.min-1 ) and heart rate responses were evaluated between playing positions and across match periods using a mixed model analysis. The mean relative distance of 92.4 ± 23.3 m.min-1 covered, comprised 28.4 ± 10.2 m.min-1 of high intensity running (m.min-1 ≥ 4.0 m.s-1 ) and 9.9 ± 3.9 m.min-1 of very high intensity running (m.min-1 ≥ 5.5 m.s-1 ). High intensity running and relative PlayerLoad™ (PL.min-1 ) was significantly higher in half-backs, midfielders and half-forwards compared to the full-backs, whereas only the half-backs and half-forwards displayed significantly greater values compared to full-forwards. When compared to the first 15 min (P1) of the game, analysis of pooled positional data revealed significant declines in; overall relative distance covered, jogging (≥2.0 - < 4.0 m.s-1 ), running (≥4.0 -