A two-factor framework to assess international male field hockey movement characteristics: Implications for performance preparation

We aimed to establish the nature and structure of the relationships between high-intensity movement characteristics during international field hockey matches. Global positioning system data were obtained from 28 elite male field hockey players (n = 393 international player-matches). Mean and 90% trimmed range were extracted for the 10 most intense 1-min periods (separated by >60s) for: total distance (m); high-speed distance (>5 m·s−1); sprint distance (>7 m·s−1); accelerations (>2.5 m·s−2); decelerations (<−2.5 m·s−2) and high-speed cuts (>45° change-of-direction at >5 m·s−1). Pearson’s correlations were calculated for pairs of characteristics (summed across the 10 most intense periods). An exploratory factor analysis was then applied to movement characteristics. Finally, factors were validated by testing whether they discriminated between playing positions using random-effect linear-mixed models. Factor analysis explained 76% of total variance (χ42 = 286, p < 0.001) and resulted in a two-factor solution: ‘Distance’ (total, high-speed and sprint distance), and ‘Acceleration’ (accelerations and decelerations). High-speed cuts loaded onto both factors. The two factors also discriminated significantly between playing positions. Our data-driven approach indicates that Distance and Acceleration are distinct factors of international male field hockey, specifically, Midfielders cover more distance than Defenders, and Strikers change speed and direction more than Midfielders or Defenders. Practitioners should consider prescribing and monitoring these distinct factors separately.