Delaney, Jace Angus (2016) Peak Running Intensities of Professional Football. PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

The use of global positioning systems (GPS) in team sports is now widespread, providing coaches with a useful tool for accurately quantifying the physical demands of training and competition. A number of training load metrics have been identified using these systems, however it was previously unclear which variables were most appropriate for use in a teamsport setting. Furthermore, traditional match analysis techniques do not accurately detect within-match fluctuations in running intensity that may provide insight into developing specific training and recovery methodologies. This series of studies first established the peak running intensities achieved during professional rugby league competition, using a novel moving average technique. This method outlined a considerable oversight in traditional methods, where the peak periods of play may have been missed. Secondly, these studies investigated the contextual factors affecting running intensity within interchange rugby league players. Next, the importance, reliability and usefulness of acceleration-based measures using GPS technology within team sports were evaluated. A comprehensive assessment of the peak running intensities achieved during team-sport competition was then performed, with particular reference to the football codes. Lastly, a novel application of power law analysis was used to quantify the relationship between running intensity and the duration of the moving average applied. This series of studies provides coaches with a precise overview of the true peak intensities of competition, and furthermore presents a simple, practical tool for estimating match running intensity as a function of time. As a result, coaches may provide players with an environment where technical, competitive and physical traits can be developed concurrently, using specific methodologies such as small-sided games. If athletes are exposed to the rigors of competition during training they will become more resilient, and when faced with these situations during a match, these events will be less “catastrophic”.

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