John David Duggan

The investigation aimed to determine if live feedback of team- and player-specific global positioning system (GPS) running performance data between bouts of hurling small-sided games (SSGs) altered the physical and physiological responses during subsequent bouts of SSGs during a 6-week hurling pre-season period. Twenty-four (n = 24) hurling players (age 25.5 ± 3.2 years; height 177.9 ± 3.2 cm; body mass 83.5 ± 4.5 kg) received either feedback or no feedback during hurling-specific SSGs across a 6-week pre-season period. Teams were assigned to two specific groups, a) GPS live feedback or b) no GPS live feedback (control) for each session, with feedback provided during the SSG rest interval. Running performance (10-Hz, STATSports, Apex, Northern Ireland), heart rate (Polar T31 coded, Polar Electro, Finland), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Data was analyzed using linear mixed-effect models with the effect size (Cohen’s d) used to determine the size of the effect between feedback and non-feedback conditions. Trivial-o-small differences at all time points were observed in heart rate and RPE measures during SSGs, respectively. Trivial-to-moderate effects were observed between feedback and non-feedback conditions for total distance (p = 0.04; ES = 0.25; small) high-speed running (p = 0.043; ES = 0.59; moderate), maximal speed (p = 0.345; ES = 0.11; trivial) and accelerations (p = 0.03; ES = 0.55; moderate). The current data suggests that coaches and applied practitioners may use live GPS feedback to alter the running and physiological performance within hurling-specific SSGs during a pre-season period.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programme, a neuromuscular training intervention involving muscular strength, proprioception, balance, and plyometric exercises, in reducing ankle injury incidence among football players. Included are randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving players of any age, sex, or competition level, comparing the FIFA 11+ programme with standard warm-up routines. Studies were eligible if they had a minimum follow-up of five months and reported at least two of the following: number of ankle injuries, incidence rate, and exposure hours. Searches were conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE (via OVID), Scopus, and SPORTDiscus up to October 2024. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2), and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. Three RCTs, involving 3833 participants and 286,827 exposure hours, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis showed that the FIFA 11+ programme significantly reduced ankle injury rates compared to control groups (rate ratio (RR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46–0.96, p = 0.03, I² = 52%), reflecting a 33% lower risk. The certainty of the evidence was rated as moderate due to bias in two studies. In conclusion, the FIFA 11+ programme significantly reduces ankle injury incidence and supports implementation at all levels. However, further research is needed to examine long-term effects, optimal doses, and applicability across diverse football populations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an in-season athletic motor skill competency (AMSC) programme on the physical bio-motor qualities of youth academy soccer players. Thirty-four (n = 34) U14 and U15 male underage academy soccer players were recruited from a League of Ireland (LOI) soccer club. The study was conducted over 10 weeks that included a pre-testing battery, an 8-week intervention, and a post-testing battery. Pre- to post-intervention, the U14 squad experienced significant increases in countermovement jump (CMJ) peak power, and both chin-up three repetition maximum (3RM) and predicted 1RM (p < 0.05, effect size [ES] = 0.15 to 0.25). The U15 squad displayed significant changes in 5m sprint time (p < 0.05, ES = 0.20); CMJ height, peak power, and propulsive impulse (p < 0.05, ES = -0.17 to -0.58). The U15 squad demonstrated a significant improvement in their 5m sprint time compared to the U14 squad (p < 0.05). Additionally, 38% of the U14 squad showed improvements exceeding the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) across seven CMJ variables (jump height, peak power, eccentric duration, RSImod, mean peak force, propulsive impulse, time to take-off). Similarly, 43% of the U15 squad achieved positive changes greater than the SWC in sprint speed, strength, and 5 of the jump variables. This study provides valuable evidence for integrating an AMSC programme into youth soccer training regimens to optimize player development and performance.

Background: This study aimed to compare acceleration and deceleration demands of intercounty Camogie players, and differences across playing positions and halves of play. Hypothesis: The middle 3 positions will have greatest accelerations and decelerations variables across match play and halves of play. Study Design: Nonrandomized, repeated measures design. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Global positioning systems (GPS) (10 Hz) collected data from 28 participants during 18 competitive matches across 2 seasons; 206 individual player datasets were analyzed. Results: Half-backs ( P < 0.05; effect size [ES], -1.75) and midfielders ( P < 0.05; ES, -1.68) covered significantly greater total number of accelerations than full-forwards. In acceleration zone 4, midfielders ( P < 0.05; ES, = -1.67) and half forwards covered a significantly greater number than full-forwards ( P < 0.01; ES, = -1.41). Midfielders accumulated a significantly greater distance in acceleration zone 4 than full-backs ( P < 0.05; ES, = -0.57). Significant decrements were observed between halves in total number of accelerations ( P < 0.01; ES, = 0.49), accelerations in zones 1 to 4 ( P < 0.01; ES, 0.16-0.43), total distance of accelerations, and acceleration distance in zones 2 to 4 ( P < 0.05; ES, 0.25; P < 0.01; ES, 0.45; P < 0.01; ES, 0.38). There were significant decrements in the total number of decelerations ( P < 0.01; ES, 0.43), number of decelerations in zones 2 ( P < 0.05; ES, 0.25), 3 ( P < 0.01; ES, 0.45), and 4 ( P < 0.01; ES, 0.38), and total deceleration distance ( P < 0.01; ES, 0.16). Conclusion: Half-backs and midfielders covered significantly greater total number of accelerations than full-forwards. Significant decrements in several acceleration and deceleration variables were observed between halves. Clinical Relevance: Players competing in intercounty Camogie should receive progressive exposure to acceleration and deceleration-based movement demands to prepare players for intercounty Camogie match play.

Duggan, JD, Byrne, P, Malone, S, Cooper, S-M, and Moody, J. The physical and physiological demands of intercounty camogie during competitive match-play. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): e510–e520, 2024—The aim of this study was to determine the physical and physiological demands of intercounty camogie match-play between positions and halves of play. Data were collected from 28 players during 18 competitive games using global positioning systems (10-Hz) and heart rate monitors (2.4-GHz). The study demonstrated that intercounty camogie players covered a total distance (TD) (m ± SD ) of 6,040 ± 628 m, relative distance (RD) of 83 ± 13 m·min ⁻¹ , and maximum speed of 25 ± 1 km·h ⁻¹ . Furthermore, the players covered a mean sprint distance of 214 ± 112 m and 14 ± 6 sprints. Players' mean heart rate (HRmean) and HRmax was 138 ± 23 b·min ⁻¹ and 164 ± 20 b·min ⁻¹ , respectively. There were decrements between halves in TD ( p < 0.01 , ES = −0.45), RD ( p < 0.01 , ES = −0.45), maximum speed ( p < 0.05 , ES = −0.18), HRmax ( p < 0.05 , ES = −0.23), running ( p < 0.01 , ES = −0.34), high-speed running ( p < 0.01 , ES = 0.34), sprinting ( p < 0.01 , ES = −0.10), HRmax ( p < 0.05 , ES = −0.23), and HRmax % ( p < 0.05 , ES = −0.24). Midfielders covered a greater TD compared with full-forwards ( p < 0.05, ES = −0.38) and half-forwards ( p < 0.05 , ES = −0.38). Full-backs covered a significantly lower RD than midfielders ( p < 0.05 , ES = −1.2), half-backs compared with full-forwards ( p < 0.05 , ES = 1.14), and half-forwards compared with full-forwards ( p < 0.05 , ES = 1.15). Full-forwards covered significantly less RD when compared with half-backs ( p < 0.05 , ES = −1.14), midfielders ( p < 0.05 , ES = −1.47), and half-forwards ( p < 0.05 , ES = −1.15). The findings provide physical and physiological values on the match demands of intercounty camogie match-play.

The aim of the current investigation was to examine the locomotor performance profile of elite ladies Gaelic football (LGF) players in relation to playing position and quarters of play. Thirty (n = 30) elite LGF players (age: 24 ± 4 years, height: 169 ± 5 cm, body mass: 61 ± 4 kg) were monitored using 10 Hz GPS technology (Playertek; Catapult Sports; Australia) resulting in 145 individual samples collected over 18 competitive matches across the 2021 and 2022 LGF seasons. Locomotor performance was determined across the following variables: total distance covered (TD, m), relative distance (m·min⁻¹), high-speed running (HSR, ≥ 4.4 m·s⁻¹), very high-speed running (VHSR, ≥ 5.5 m·s⁻¹), relative HSR (RHSR; m·min⁻¹), peak velocity (m·s⁻¹), percentage peak velocity (%PeakV), accelerations (n; ≥ 3 m·s⁻²), and decelerations (n; ≤ −3 m·s⁻²). Data were classified based on playing position and quarter of play. The greatest TD was covered by half-backs, midfielders, and half-forwards, with these positions covering significantly greater distances than full-backs (p < 0.05). Similarly, half-backs, midfielders, and half-forwards covered the greatest high-speed distance (HSR). When running performance was analysed across quarters, a significant position by quarter interaction was observed for all running performance variables, except peak velocity and percentage peak velocity. A consistent trend for reduced locomotor performance was evident in the second and fourth quarters across all positional lines. The current data provide coaches with the position-specific locomotor requirements of LGF match-play, which can inform the design of training content for LGF players, along with match-day strategies. Given the reduction in locomotor performance observed across the match, performance staff may consider the use of nutritional interventions, rewarm-up strategies, or specific substitution policies to mitigate the decrement in locomotor performance observed across match-play.

Ladies Gaelic football (LGF) is a traditional, amateur Gaelic sport played by female athletes. LGF is an invasion-based field sport involving high-intensity, intermittent match play. There is currently a paucity of research on intercounty (elite level) LGF despite a growing interest in the male version of the game. This article aims to provide strength and conditioning recommendations for LGF with particular focus on the intercounty level of play. Recommendations within this article include a needs analysis, female injury epidemiology, physical and physiological demands, female physiology, strength training, and specific conditioning guidelines based on the sport. Additional recommendations include an LGF-specific testing battery, a proposed periodization cycle, and sports-specific speed and agility development.

Background: Sports science research in elite female Gaelic team sports has increased in recent years, but still a large disparity exists between the volume of studies involving male and female players. As a consequence of this, it is difficult for practitioners to develop an evidence-based approach when working with female players.Main body: In this review, we discuss the current research available in elite female Gaelic team sports with focus on seven specific areas including physical and physiological demands, anthropometric and performance characteristics, injury risk, nutritional considerations, and female physiology. There appears to be unique physical demands data in match play across positions in Camogie, however, there is currently no comparative data available in ladies Gaelic football. Similarly, there is no research available on the physiological demands of both elite female Gaelic team sports. According to existing literature, performance characteristics such as speed and power are lower in this population compared to other elite female team sports. Although data is limited, the anthropometric characteristics of elite female Gaelic team sport players appear homogenous with some positional differences observed at a sub-elite level. Previous research has demonstrated a high prevalence of lower limb injuries in female elite Gaelic team sports and the provision of quality, evidence-based strength & conditioning could help mitigate these injury risks. Female Gaelic team sport players have been shown to have poor nutrition knowledge and inadequate intakes of micronutrients. Finally, although menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptives have been shown to influence performance in other female intermittent sports, to date there has not been any research carried out in elite female Gaelic team sport players.Conclusions: It is evident that limited research has been carried out on elite female Gaelic sport players. More up-to-date, high-quality investigations are needed to address the research gaps, which in turn should enable practitioners in the field to apply sound, evidence-based practice/theory when working with this population.