Seasonal changes in body composition of inter-county Gaelic Athletic Association hurlers

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.

Changes in Anthropometric and Performance Parameters in High-Level Endurance Athletes during a Sports Season

Several anthropometric and performance parameters related to aerobic metabolism are associated with performance in endurance runners and are modified according to the training performed. The objective of this study was to investigate the ergospirometric and body composition changes in endurance runners during a sports season in relation to their training. Twenty highly trained men endurance runners performed an incremental test until exhaustion (initial, and at 3, 6, and 9 months) on a treadmill to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max), second ventilatory threshold (VT₂), and their associated running speeds. Skinfolds, perimeters, and weights were measured. No changes were obtained in VO₂ max or VT₂ during the study, although their associated running speeds increased (p < 0.05) after 3 months of the study. Decreases in fat mass (p < 0.05) and muscle mass (p < 0.05) were observed at the end of the season (9 months). Changes occurred in the different skinfolds according to the characteristics of the training performed during the season. In conclusion, vVO₂ max and vVT₂ increase with a greater volume of kilometres trained and can be adversely affected by loss of muscle mass.

Dietary Intake and Energy Expenditure Assessed during a Pre-Season Period in Elite Gaelic Football Players

There is currently a lack of research into the energy demands and associated nutritional intakes of elite Gaelic football players during the pre-season period, which is a crucial time of year for physical development. The aim of the current study was to investigate the dietary intake and energy expenditure (EE) of elite Gaelic football players during a typical pre-season week. Over a seven-day period, which included four training days and three rest days, dietary intake (validated self-reported estimated food diary) and EE (Sensewear Pro armband) were recorded in 18 male players from a single elite inter-county Gaelic football team. Average energy intake (EI) (3283 ± 483 kcal) was significantly (p = 0.002) less than average EE (3743 ± 335 kcal), with a mean daily energy deficit of −460 ± 503 kcal. Training days elicited the greatest deficits between intake and expenditure. The mean carbohydrate (CHO) intake was 3.6 ± 0.7 g/kg/day, protein intake was 2.1 ± 0.5 g/kg/day, and fat intake was 1.6 ± 0.2 g/kg/day. These findings indicate that the dietary practices of the sampled players were inadequate to meet EE and CHO recommendations. Training days are of particular concern, with the players not altering energy and CHO intake to encounter increased energy demands. Education on nutritional strategies for elite Gaelic footballers should be considered in relation to training demands to avoid detriments to performance and health.