Kinematics of the field hockey penalty corner push-in

The aims of the study were to determine those variables that significantly affect push-in execution and thereby formulate coaching recommendations specific to the push-in. Two 50 Hz video cameras recorded transverse and longitudinal views of push-in trials performed by eight experienced and nine inexperienced male push-in performers. Video footage was digitized for data analysis of ball speed, stance width, drag distance, drag time, drag speed, centre of massy displacement and segment and stick displacements and velocities. Experienced push-in performers demonstrated a significantly greater (p < 0.05) stance width, a significantly greater distance between the ball and the front foot at the start of the push-in and a significantly faster ball speed than inexperienced performers. In addition, the experienced performers showed a significant positive correlation between ball speed and playing experience and tended to adopt a combination of simultaneous and sequential segment rotation to achieve accuracy and fast ball speed. The study yielded the following coaching recommendations for enhanced push-in performance: maximize drag distance by maximizing front foot-ball distance at the start of the push-in; use a combination of simultaneous and sequential segment rotations to optimise both accuracy and ball speed and maximize drag speed.     

Characterising the impact performance of field hockey sticks

Published research on field hockey equipment is scarce. The aim of this research was to investigate methods for characterising the impact performance of field hockey sticks. Three sticks were used with fundamental frequencies in the range 74?C154?Hz. Striking an initially still ball with a stick was identified as the preferred method for characterising performance. Impacts were simulated at mean velocities of 19?m/s at toe and 16?m/s at the shaft. The mean apparent coefficient of restitution and standard deviation were ?0.32?±?0.05 at the toe and ?0.18?±?0.02 at the shaft. The foundation work presented here provides the foundations for developing a methodology for characterising the impact performance of field hockey sticks.     

Human perceptions of artificial surfaces for field hockey

Measuring the performance of a sports surface is typically derived from a series of field and laboratory tests that assess the playing properties under simulated game conditions. However, from a player’s perspective their own comfort and confidence in the surface and its playing characteristics are equally if not more important. To date no comparative study to measure playing preference tests has been made. The aim of this research was to develop a suitable method for eliciting player perceptions of field hockey pitches and determine the key themes that players consider when assessing field hockey pitches. To elicit meaningful unbiased human perceptions of a playing surface, an individual subjective analysis was carried out, using interviews and inductive analysis of the recorded player statements. A qualitative analysis of elite hockey players (n = 22) was performed to obtain their perceptions immediately after a competitive match. The significant surface characteristics that emerged as part of an inductive analysis of their responses were grouped together and formed five general themes or dimensions: player performance, playing environment, pitch properties, ball interaction and player interaction. Each dimension was formed from a hierarchy of sub-themes. During the analysis, relationships between the dimensions were identified and a structured relationship model was produced to highlight each relationship. Players’ responses suggested that they perceived differences between pitches and that the majority of players considered a ‘hard’ pitch with a ‘low’ ball bounce facilitating a ‘fast’ game speed was desirable. However, further research is required to understand the relative importance of each theme and to develop appropriate measurement strategies to quantify the relevant engineering properties of pitch materials.     

The use of GPS to evaluate activity profiles of elite women hockey players during match-play

The aim of the study was to assess the match-play activity patterns of elite women field-hockey players using a global positioning system (SPI Elite, GPSports, Fyshwick, Australia). The activity of 25 players was analysed for 13 international matches, totalling 158 player-match analyses. Overall mean playing time was 48 ± 4 min but this varied according to playing position (defenders: 56 ± 11 min; midfielders: 50 ± 10 min; forwards: 38 ± 7 min; P < 0.001, d = 0.57-1.92). In total, 55.5 ± 6.3% of match time was spent performing low-intensity exercise (standing: 5.8 ± 2.7%; walking: 49.7 ± 5.6%). Moderate-intensity exercise accounted for 38.1 ± 5.0% (jogging: 25.8 ± 3.5%; running: 12.3 ± 2.9%) of player match-time, with the remainder made up of high-intensity exercise (fast running: 4.9 ± 1.4%; sprinting: 1.5 ± 0.6%). Forwards spent more time performing moderate- (41.4%) and high-intensity (7.7%) exercise than defenders and midfield players (P < 0.001). This is the first study to use a global positioning system to assess the activity characteristics of elite female hockey players and demonstrate that these characteristics differ according to playing position. These differences are probably attributable to the ways in which substitution of players occurs.     

Time-motion analysis of elite field hockey, with special reference to repeated-sprint activity

Limited information exists about the movement patterns of field-hockey players, especially during elite competition. Time-motion analysis was used to document the movement patterns during an international field-hockey game. In addition, the movement patterns of repeated-sprint activity were investigated, as repeated-sprint ability is considered to be an important fitness component of team-sport performance. Fourteen members of the Australian men's field-hockey team (age 26+/-3 years, body mass 76.7+/-5.6 kg, VO2max 57.9+/-3.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); mean+/-s) were filmed during an international game and their movement patterns were analysed. The majority of the total player game time was spent in the low-intensity motions of walking, jogging and standing (46.5+/-8.1, 40.5+/-7.0 and 7.4+/-0.9%, respectively). In comparison, the proportions of time spent in striding and sprinting were 4.1+/-1.1 and 1.5+/-0.6%, respectively. Our criteria for 'repeated-sprint' activity (defined as a minimum of three sprints, with mean recovery duration between sprints of less than 21 s) was met on 17 occasions during the game (total for all players), with a mean 4+/-1 sprints per bout. On average, 95% of the recovery during the repeated-sprint bouts was of an active nature. In summary, the results suggest that the motion activities of an elite field-hockey competition are similar to those of elite soccer, rugby and Australian Rules football. In addition, the investigation of repeated-sprint activity during competition has provided additional information about the unique physiological demands of elite field-hockey performance.     

High-intensity intermittent running and field hockey skill performance in the heat

Nine well-trained, unacclimatized female hockey players performed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) interspersed with three field hockey skill tests in hot (30 degrees C, 38% relative humidity) and moderate (19 degrees C, 51% relative humidity) environmental conditions. Field hockey skill performance declined in both the hot and moderate conditions following 30 and 60 min of the LIST compared with pre-LIST values (P < 0.01). This decrement in performance was compounded in the hot environment with a 6% poorer performance in the heat recorded for the second skill test at 30?min (P < 0.05, hot 101.7 +/- 3.6 vs moderate 95.7 +/- 2.9 s; mean +/- s(x)). However, no difference was found in the decision-making element of the skill test. Fifteen-metre sprint times were slower in the hot condition (P < 0.01). In the hot environment, rectal temperature (P < 0.01), perceived exertion (P < 0.05), perceived thirst (P < 0.01), blood glucose concentration (P < 0.05) and serum aldosterone concentration (P < 0.01) were higher. Estimated mean ( +/- s(x)) sweat rate was higher in the hot trial (1.27 +/- 0.10 l.h(-1)) than in the moderate trial (1.05 +/- 0.12 l.h(-1)) (P < 0.05). Body mass was well maintained in both trials. No differences in serum cortisol, blood lactate, plasma volume or plasma ammonia concentrations were found. These results demonstrate that field hockey skill performance is decreased following intermittent high-intensity shuttle running and that this decrease is greater in hot environmental conditions. The exact mechanism for this decrement in performance remains to be elucidated, but is unlikely to be due to low glycogen concentration or dehydration.     

Activity profile and physical demands of male field hockey umpires in international matches

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the physical demands and activity profiles of international field hockey umpires during match-play. We collected GPS data and heart rates from ten umpires over 16 international matches. Total mean distance covered in a full match was 6655±406 m. No differences were observed between mean distances covered in the first and second halves (3390±241 m and 3264±253 m respectively; P =0.093). Hockey umpires spent 2.7±1% of the total match time performing high-intensity running (>15.5 km · h^–1). Paired t-tests revealed no difference in the distance umpires covered during high-intensity running in the first versus the second half (339±168 m vs. 285±106 m; P=0.113), or in the number of sprints performed (3.4±2.3 vs. 2.8±2.1; P=0.290). There was large inter-individual variability in the total distance covered at high intensity (range 274–999 m). No difference in mean heart rates was evident between the first and second half (150±9 and 147±10 beats · min^–1 respectively; P =0.055). The results of this study show that the performance of the participating hockey umpires did not decrease from the first to the second half. Training and testing procedures should be updated to reflect the specific role of the hockey umpire.     

江苏省女子曲棍球后备人才培养现状研究

采用文献资料法、问卷调查法等,对江苏省女子曲棍球后备人才培养现状进行研究,结果显示:江苏省女子曲棍球后备人才培养模式较为先进,科学化训练程度较高,训练保障体系优越。但教练员执教年限较短,科研能力薄弱;后备人才生源区域局限性明显,各个年龄段人才储备不均衡;后备人才文化学习现状不理想;曲棍球项目普及率低,出路相对狭窄,缺乏社会关注和安置政策保障。建议:提高教练员科学化训练水平;推动曲棍球项目普及开展;出台措施,促进后备人才全面发展;拓宽后备人才的出路与就业渠道。     

Perceptual-cognitive skill training and its transfer to expert performance in the field: Future research directions

Abstract

Perceptual-cognitive skills training provides a potentially valuable method for training athletes on key skills, such as anticipation and decision-making. It can be used when athletes are unable to physically train or are unable to experience repeated key situations from their sport. In this article, we review research on perceptual-cognitive skills training and describe future research areas focusing on a number of key theories and principles. The main aim of any training intervention should be the efficacy of retention and transfer of learning from training to field situations, which should be the key consideration when designing the representative tasks used in perceptual-cognitive skills training. We review the principles that seek to create practice tasks that replicate those found in the field, so as to increase the amount of transfer that occurs. These principles are perception–action coupling, the contextual interference effect and contextual information, which suggest there should be a high level of similarity between training and real-life performance when designing perceptual-cognitive skills training. In the final section, we discuss the transfer of retained skill acquisition from perceptual-cognitive skills training to field performance, which we suggest to be the key area for future research in this area.     

Habituation of 10-year-old hockey players to treadmill skating

This study assessed changes in selected physiological and kinematic variables over 6 weeks of treadmill skating in an effort to understand the process of habituation to this novel training modality. Seven male, Atom-A hockey players who were injury-free and had no previous treadmill skating experience participated in the study. Players performed four 1-min skating bouts at progressively increasing speeds, each week, for 6 weeks. One speed (10.5 km/h) was repeated weekly to allow for assessment of the habituation process. Our criteria for habituation were: a decrease in stride rate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion, and an increase in stride length, trunk angle and vertical movement of the centre of mass, leading to a plateau, over the course of the 6-week study. Significant decreases were seen in stride rate, heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion, and significant increases were found in stride length. Some of these changes were evident after only one week of training and all were present by week 4. After 6 weeks (24 min) of exposure to treadmill skating, all participants displayed a visibly more efficient skating style.     

Relation between multidimensional performance characteristics and level of performance in talented youth field hockey players

To determine the relationship between multidimensional performance characteristics and level of performance in talented youth field hockey players, elite youth players (n = 38, mean age 13.2 years, s = 1.26) were compared with sub-elite youth players (n = 88, mean age 14.2 years, s = 1.26) on anthropometric, physiological, technical, tactical and psychological characteristics. Multivariate analyses with performance level and gender as factors, and age as the covariate, showed that the elite youth players scored better than the sub-elite youth players on technical (dribble performance in a peak and repeated shuttle run), tactical (general tactics; tactics for possession and non-possession of the ball) and psychological variables (motivation) (P <?0.05). The most discriminating variables were tactics for possession of the ball, motivation and performance in a slalom dribble. Age discriminated between the two groups, indicating that the elite youth players were younger than the sub-elite players. In the guidance of young talented players to the top as well as in the detection of talented players, more attention has to be paid to tactical qualities, motivation and specific technical skills.     

Multidimensional performance characteristics and standard of performance in talented youth field hockey players: a longitudinal study

To identify performance characteristics that could help predict future elite field hockey players, we measured the anthropometric, physiological, technical, tactical, and psychological characteristics of 30 elite and 35 sub-elite youth players at the end of three consecutive seasons. The mean age of the players at the end of the first season was 14.2 years (s = 1.1). Repeated-measures analyses of covariance, with standard of performance and measurement occasion as factors and age as a covariate, showed that the elite players fared better than the sub-elite players on technical and tactical variables. Female elite youth players also scored better on interval endurance capacity, motivation, and confidence. Future elite players appear to have excellent tactical skills by the age of 14. They also have good specific technical skills and develop these together with interval endurance capacity better than sub-elite youth players in the subsequent 2 years. To verify our conclusions, we will be tracking these players into adulthood.     

关于冰球运动的生理学基础的研究

从冰球运动的生理学基础出发,分析和探讨了影响冰球运动员运动的生理学诸因素.     

A biomechanical comparison in the lower limb and lumbar spine between a hit and drag flick in field hockey

Research has revealed that field hockey drag flickers have greater odds of hip and lumbar injuries compared to non-drag flickers (DF). This study aimed to compare the biomechanics of a field hockey hit and a specialised field hockey drag flick. Eighteen male and seven female specialised hockey DF performed a hit and a drag flick in a motion analysis laboratory with an 18-camera three-dimensional motion analysis system and a calibrated multichannel force platform to examine differences in lower limb and lumbar kinematics and kinetics. Results revealed that drag flicks were performed with more of a forward lunge on the left lower limb resulting in significantly greater left ankle dorsiflexion, knee, hip and lumbar flexion (Ps<0.001) compared to a hit. Drag flicks were also performed with significantly greater lateral flexion (P < 0.002) and rotation of the lumbar spine (P < 0.006) compared to a hit. Differences in kinematics lead to greater shear, compression and tensile forces in multiple left lower limb and lumbar joints in the drag flick compared to the hit (P < 0.05). The biomechanical differences in drag flicks compared to a hit may have ramifications with respect to injury in field hockey drag flickers.     

谈比赛中运动员的冰球意识

通过论述运动员冰球意识的内容,指出了冰球意识是一个优秀冰球运动员能力的首要组成部分,其培养具有十分重要的意义,并提出冰球意识的培养途径.     

拖拉雪橇练习在冰球训练中的应用

1 雪橇训练器械简介 在加拿大许多的冰球运动员使用拖拉雪撬作为提高身体素质训练的专项运动方式.雪撬是发展臀部和腿部肌肉组织爆发力的训练装置.为确保雪橇的最大稳定性,在前面有2个平滑的向上的牵引撬.在雪橇顶部焊接一个架设在平台上的一根能支撑多种杠铃片(可达500 Ib)的垂直棒(如图2).与附加装置牵引链相连的两个链被固定在两个横杆的最高环.根据训练的刺激需要,训练可以通过1-2个手柄、附件、带子或绳子等广泛的搭配起来一起执行.使用雪橇练习应选在一个平坦的、足够大的草地(例如橄榄球或足球场地).     

谈冰球运动员的赛前心理准备

冰球运动员的赛前心理准备至关重要,是获取比赛胜利的前提.从运动员赛前心理状态出发,认为制定适宜的比赛动机、正确的心理定向、合理控制比赛情绪、树立必胜信念和适应性训练是赛前心理准备的重要内容.     

对2003年全国男子冰球锦标赛的调研

通过对2003年全国男子冰球锦标赛的调研,指出了我国男子冰球发展的现状,及各队的综合实力,对今后男子冰球的发展提出建议.     

谈少年冰球运动员身体素质训练

对少年冰球运动员发展身体素质的重要性及最佳训练时期进行了论述,提出了在陆地发展少年冰球运动员速度素质、力量素质、耐力素质、灵敏协调素质的具体方法和训练手段.