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Sport Sciences for Health

Published in:

13-09-2021 | Original Article

Reliability of a Gaelic football simulation protocol developed to replicate the movement and physiological demands of elite Gaelic football match-play

Authors: Luke O’Brien, Shane Malone, Dominic Doran, Farzad Amirabdollahian, Kieran Collins

Published in: Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Purpose

The current study examined the reliability of a novel Gaelic football match simulation protocol (GFSP) that simulates the match-specific activity demands of elite Gaelic football match-play.

Methods

After familiarisation, 16 male Gaelic footballers performed the GFSP on two occasions, 7–10 days apart to determine the reliability of a range of team sport performance indicators.

Results

The total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD) and sprint distance were 8479 ± 594 m, 2349 ± 308 m and 651 ± 319 m, respectively. In addition, decrements in TD (− 2.4%), HSRD (− 11.2%) and sprint distance (− 32.6%) from first to second half were observed. There was no significant difference between repeated trials of the GFSP for all running performance and physiological measurements. The GFSP demonstrates good test–retest reliability for the majority of performance and physiological responses. Between trial coefficient of variations (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were: TD 1.9%, 0.93; HSRD 3.0%, 0.93; sprint distance 17.6%, 0.86; peak speed 4.5%, 0.60; mean heart rate (HR) 1.8%; 0.94; peak HR 2.2%, 0.89.

Conclusion

The current investigation shows that the GFSP replicates the average movement demands of elite Gaelic football match play. The current simulation is reliable and may be seen by practitioners as a viable monitoring tool within the Gaelic football research and training process to monitor the effectiveness of various training and nutritional interventions on Gaelic football-related performance.

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Title: Reliability of a Gaelic football simulation protocol developed to replicate the movement and physiological demands of elite Gaelic football match-play
Authors: Luke O’Brien
Shane Malone
Dominic Doran
Farzad Amirabdollahian
Kieran Collins
Publication date: 13-09-2021
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Sport Sciences for Health / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1824-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1825-1234
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00834-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Reliability of a Gaelic football simulation protocol developed to replicate the movement and physiological demands of elite Gaelic football match-play

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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