Time-motion analysis of elite women’s field hockey, with particular reference to maximum intensity movement patterns

The aim of this study was to establish the activity profile of elite level female field hockey players during competition. In addition, the nature of sprint activity concerning pre- and post-sprint activity was investigated. Twelve elite female outfield players (age 22 ± 3 years) from the women’s English National League were videoed for the entire duration of a game. Definitions of each movement classification (stand, walk, jog, cruise, sprint) were established for analysis. A lunge defined as a sudden elongated step, but with a bent front knee, was included in analysis due to its frequent use in field hockey. The majority of the game was spent in low intensity activity (90%). A mean significant decrease (P<0.05) in the amount of high intensity activity performed in the second half, coupled with a significant decrease in average heart rate in the second half (174 ± 12 beats·min−1 vs. 169 ± 11 beats·min−1; p<0.01), suggests a manifestation of fatigue resulting in a decrease in physical performance. To conclude, field hockey is predominantly low intensity in nature, interspersed with short periods of high intensity effort. Despite the continuous substitutions rule, there is a decline in work rate in the second half.