The Between-Competition Running Demands of Elite Hurling Match-Play

Temporal Changes and Between-Competition Differences in the Activity Profile of Elite Hurling Referees

Background/Objectives: This study examined the activity profile of elite hurling referees during games in the National Hurling League (NHL) and All-Ireland Championship (AIC) and across all divisions of the NHL and phases of the AIC. Temporal changes between the first and second half and across the four quarters were also examined. Methods: Data were collected from 36 referees using 10-Hz global positioning system technology during 106 NHL and 85 AIC games and analyzed for duration, total distance, very low-speed movement (<0.69 m·s-1), walking (≥0.69-1.59 m·s-1), low-speed running (≥1.60-3.08 m·s-1), moderate-speed running (≥3.09-4.62 m·s-1), high-speed running (HSR) (≥4.63-6.34 m·s-1), and very high-speed running (VHSR) (≥6.35 m·s-1) distance and peak running speed. Results: Total distance was not significantly different between games in the NHL (120.7 ± 9.4 m·min-1) and AIC (122.8 ± 9.9 m·min-1, ES = 0.04). There was also no significant difference in HSR distance between the NHL (17.1 ± 6.5 m·min-1) and AIC (18.0 ± 7.2 m·min-1, ES = 0.10). The only significant difference between the NHL and AIC was in LSR distance, which was higher in the AIC (ES = 0.24). VHSR distance was significantly higher during games in Division 3A+3B (0.7 ± 0.8 m·min-1) compared to Division 1A+1B (0.2 ± 0.3 m·min-1) and Division 2A+2B (0.1 ± 0.3 m·min-1). HSR distance was significantly lower during games in the All-Ireland Series (15.7 ± 6.7 m·min-1) compared to games in the Leinster (21.1 ± 8.5 m·min-1) and Munster (17.9 ± 5.4 m·min-1) Championships. Conclusions: The findings of this study can be used to support the development of physical conditioning programs that are specific to the demands experienced during competitive match play.

Science and Hurling: A Review

Hurling is one of the world’s fastest field sports. Since the last review of science and Gaelic sports in 2008, there has been an increase in sports science provisions across elite and sub-elite cohorts, resulting in increased hurling-specific literature equating to an additional 111 research investigations into the game across all sports science disciplines. The present review aims to provide an updated analysis of the current research on the game and propose recommendations for future research. Overall, intermittent aerobic fitness remains an important physical quality during competition, with a focus on games-based training methodologies within the literature. Within the current review, we provide updated normative data on the running demands, physiological responses, and anthropometric and performance profiles of hurling players. The increased literature across the sport has led to the development of a hurling-specific simulation, that can now be utilised practically in training and research processes for hurling cohorts. Furthermore, the monitoring of internal and external training loads across training and match environments, in addition to response variables such as well-being, appears to have become more prominent, allowing practitioners to design training regimes to achieve optimal dose and response characteristics. Analysing the game from a scientific perspective can allow for more efficient preparatory practices, to meet the specific requirements of players at all age levels. Collaborative research among the various sports science disciplines, is required to identify strategies to reduce the incidence of injury and enhance performance in hurling. The current review provides updated information to coaches and practitioners regarding position-specific physical qualities, and match-play demands that can concurrently support the training process within hurling.