Effect of Changing Match Format from Halves to Quarters on the Performance Characteristics of Male University Field Hockey Players

The study examined whether the performance characteristics of male university field hockey players differed when match format was 2 × 35 min halves compared to 17.5 quarters. Thirty-five (age 21.2 ± 3.0 years, height 1.81 0.07 m, body mass 75.1 8.9 kg), competing at national level in UK, were monitored over 52 matches played across 2018–2019 (2 halves) and 2019–2020 quarters) seasons using 15 Hz Global Positioning System units heart rate monitors. Total distance, high-speed running distance (≥15.5 km·h−1), accelerations (≥2 m·s−1), decelerations (≤−2 average percentage time spent >85% maximum recorded during both formats. Two-level random intercept hierarchal models (Match—level 1, Player—level 2) suggested that change from (2018–2019 season) quarters (2019–2020 resulted a reduction total completed (by 221 m 120 respectively, p < 0.001). As no significant cross-level interactions observed (between season half), did not attenuate reduced physical evident second half (total distance: −235 less half; −70 Overall, findings suggest alter players, but quarter actually matches, seen matches.