Positional Comparisons in the Impact of Fatigue on Movement Patterns in Hockey

To examine the influence of the match period on the movement patterns of hockey players according to their playing positions under the introduction of quarters (QTRs).

Sixteen subelite-level Spanish National League male hockey players participated in the study (age: 25.5 [2.9] y; body mass: 74.6 [5.5] kg). Global positioning system devices were used to monitor players' running performance during 17 competitive matches (113 match-play profiles). Only players who played for at least 85% of the game were analyzed. Players were placed into 3 position categories: backs, midfielders, and forwards.

Moderate to large differences in relative total distance were found between midfielders and both backs and forwards in all QTRs (effect size [ES]: 0.4-1.2). ES for total distance was moderate for midfielders when compared with backs during the first QTR (moderate ES: 0.7). Midfielders and forwards covered more distance (m and m·min^-1) in high-velocity zones than backs (ES: 0.6). Acceleration activities (n·min^-1) at moderate and high intensities decreased in all groups across QTRs with moderate to very large ES (ES: 0.4-1.4). Relative sprinting distance decreased in backs (ES: 0.8). Backs had fewer repeated-sprint bouts (n and n·min^-1) as the game progressed (ES: 1.0).

During competitive match play, a degree of positional variation can be observed across QTRs. The relative distance and the number of accelerations and decelerations at moderate and high intensity decreased across QTRs. No between-QTRs differences in high-speed activity were reported.