Volume and Intensity of Locomotor Activity in International Men's Field Hockey Matches Over a 2-Year Period

The locomotor demands of international men's field hockey matches were investigated across positions (DEF, MID, FWD) and playing quarters. Volume (i.e., total values) intensity relative to time) data collected using 10-Hz GPS/100-Hz accelerometer units from the #11 world-ranked (WR) team, during 71 matches, against 24 opponents [WR 12 ± 11 (range, 1–60)]. Mean SD team distance (TD) was 4,861 871 m, with 25% (1,193 329 m) “high-speed running” (>14.5 km h ?1 ) 8% (402 144 “sprinting” (>19.0 ). Reduced TD ?3 4%) average speed ?3.4 4.7%) occurred through subsequent quarters, vs. Q1 ( p < 0.05). A “large” negative relationship r = ?0.64) found between duration speed. Positional differences 0.05) identified for all volume metrics including; 45:50 8:00 min; 37:37 7:12 FWD, 33:32 6:22 min), 5,223 851 m; 4,945 827 4,453 741 m), sprinting 315 121 437 445 129 acceleration efforts (>2 m s ?2 ; DEF, 48 12; 51 11; 50 14). Intensity variables similarly revealed positional but a different pattern positions; 115 10 min 132 134 15 ), 7 3 4 14 accelerations 1.1 0.3 n 1.4 0.2 1.5 Physical outputs reduced despite unlimited substitutions, demonstrating importance optimizing physical preparation prior competition. highlight specific requirements, forwards displaying shorter durations greater high-intensity activities than defenders.