Activity profile and between-match variation in elite field hockey

This study aimed to: 1) provide a position specific activity profile for elite male hockey players; 2) determine if the activity profile was altered by the introduction of the ‘self-pass’ rule and 3) provide information relating to match to match variability in elite male field hockey. The activity of 28 elite male field hockey players was analysed over 2 seasons totalling 395 player-match analyses using Global Positioning Satellite technology. Total distance, high speed running (>15.5 km.h-1), sprinting (>20 km.h-1) and mean speed were recorded. Players were categorised into 4 positions: full-back (FB); half-back (HB); midfield (M) and forward (F). Data were analysed using a 2 way ANOVA (season, position) and between-match coefficients of variation (CV). The time played differs with position (FB: 65.5±5.3, HB: 49.5±11.5, M: 45.9±7.1, F: 39.5±5.4 min; P<0.0005) and thus affected the activity profile. Total distance covered was greater for full backs (FB: 8001±447, HB: 6435±1399, M: 6415±908, F: 5844±762 m, p<0.001) and mean speed and percentage time spent high-speed running and sprinting was greater for forwards than all other positions (HSR: FB: 6.8±1.0, HB: 8.8±1.3, M: 10.7±1.2, F: 13.5±1.8 %, p