Match-Play Running Demands and Technical Performance Among Elite Gaelic Footballers: Does Divisional Status Count?

Match-play running demands and technical performance among elite Gaelic footballers: Does divisional status count? J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 169–175, 2021—The aim of the current study was to compare positional differences in running demands and technical performance variables among elite Gaelic football teams from separate divisions. Data were obtained from a division 1 (26.7 ± 2.9 years, 179.2 ± 21.3 cm, 89.9 ± 21.2 kg) and a division 3 (25.7 ± 3.5 years, 183.0 ± 4.7 cm, 84.4 ± 6.5 kg) team. Match-play running variables were collected using 4-Hz global positioning system (GPS) units (VX Sport; Visuallex Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) (Match data sets; division 1: n = 107, division 3: n = 97). Selected variables assessed were high-speed running distance (HSR) (≥17 km·h−1), number of high-speed efforts (HSE) (≥17 km·h−1), relative high-speed distance (RHSD) (≥17 km·h−1; m·min−1), and percentage of time at high speed (%HS). Each variable was analyzed across the 5 positional groups in Gaelic football (full back, half back, midfield, half forward, full forward). The same 25 competitive games were analyzed using the GPS and the Sports Code video analysis system (Sports Code Elite V9; Sportstec, Warriewood, NSW, Australia). Technical performance variables selected for analysis were total kick/hand passes, tackles, shots, and percentage of time in possession. High-speed running distance running demands were differentiated between the divisions; the division 3 team demonstrated significantly greater HSR, HSE, RHSD, and %HS than the division 1 team (p ≤ 0.05). Positional-specific analysis found that the division 3 full back and midfield positional lines had significantly greater HSR, RHSD, and %HS than their division 1 counterparts. The division 1 team made a greater number of total tackles, with significantly more tackles in the middle third (p ≤ 0.05)

Influence of team rating on running performance in elite Gaelic football

It is currently unknown how team rating influences running performance in Gaelic football. Global positioning system technologies were used to quantify match-running performance within 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012-2016). In total 780 player data sets were collected over 95 matches. Running performance variables included total distance, high-speed distance (≥17 km·h), and the percentage of high-speed distance. Team ratings were determined objectively using the Elo rating system for Gaelic football. Reference team rating had trivial effects on total distance (p = 0.011, partial η = 0.008) and high-speed distance (p = 0.011, partial η = 0.008). Opposition team rating had small effects on total distance (p = 0.005, partial η = 0.016) and high-speed distance (p = 0.001, partial η = 0.020). Top-tier teams cover greater total distances and high-speed distance than lower tier teams. Players cover considerably less total distance and high-speed distance against tier-3 and tier-4 teams. Tier-1 players ran a significantly higher percentage of distance at high speed than players who played for tier-2 teams (p = 0.020). The competitive advantage of top-tier Gaelic football teams is closely linked with their ability to demonstrate a higher physical intensity than lower tier teams

The influence of match outcome on running performance in elite Gaelic football

Introduction: Match outcome has been linked to running performance in many sports; however, the association has not yet been examined in Gaelic football. Methods: GPS technologies (4-Hz, VX Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) were used with 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012–2016), amounting to 95 matches. In total, 780 full match data sets were collected. Game movements were divided into total distance and high-speed distance (≥17 km h−1). Match outcomes were divided into big losses (≥6 points), small losses (≤5points), draws, small wins (≤5 points) and big wins (≥6 points). Results: Team (P ≤ 0.001), playing position (P ≤ 0.001) and match outcome (P ≤ 0.034) had a significant effect on total and high-speed distance. In the first (P = 0.008) and second (P = 0.002) quarters of games players ran significantly less high-speed distance in big losses in comparison to draws. In the fourth quarter, players ran significantly less high-speed distance in big losses than in draws (P = 0.001), small wins (P = 0.044) and big wins (P = 0.011). Conclusion: The current study confirms that running performance is a contributing factor to match outcome in Gaelic football. Coaches should be aware how contextual factors can influence running performance

The relationship between technical performance indicators and running performance in elite Gaelic football

The aim of the current study was to assess whether technical performance relates to positional running demands of elite Gaelic football players. Over a period of three years (2014–2016), four elite Gaelic football teams were monitored using GPS technologies. Four hundred and thirty-two individual player samples were collected from 52 competitive matches. Video analysis software was used to code technical performance indicators in all games. Pearson’s correlations were performed between all technical variables and total distance (m) and high-speed distance (≥17 km h−1). Total ball in play time had small to medium effects (r = .233 to .390, p ≥ 0.190) on increasing the amount of total distance and high-speed distance run. Similarly, the percentage of short kick-outs taken by the opposition team and total opposition possession time had small to medium effects (r = .146–.410, p ≥ 0.202) in increasing the amount of total distance and high-speed distance run. The number of fouls made in the middle third had the largest negative effect (r = −.89 to −.325, p ≥ 0.439) on running demands. The results of this study give coaches information on how kick-out strategies, passing strategies and defensive strategies impact on running performance

Determinants, causal connections and outcomes of corporate technology licensing : a systematic review and research agenda

Exchanges in markets for technology (MfT) have grown rapidly in recent years. MfT involve transactions for the use, diffusion and creation of technology. In this article we conduct a systematic review of the emerging market for technology literature and examine one of its most important aspects, corporate technology licensing. Using thematic analysis, we systematically review 78 papers published in 29 journals over 30 years covering the academic disciplines of technology/knowledge management, strategic management, entrepreneurship, innovation management and industrial economics. Based on this analysis, we present an organizing framework for the most prominent determinants, causal connections and outcomes of technology licensing research to date, and identify a research agenda highlighting important avenues for future research in this domai

A multicenter assessment of interreader reliability of LI-RADS version 2018 for MRI and CT

Background: Various limitations have impacted research evaluating reader agreement for Liver Imaging-Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS). Purpose: To assess reader agreement of LI-RADS in an international multi-center, multireader setting using scrollable images. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study used de-identified clinical multiphase CT and MRI examinations and reports with at least one untreated observation from six institutions and three countries; only qualifying examinations were submitted. Examination dates were October 2017 – August 2018 at the coordinating center. One untreated observation per examination was randomly selected using observation identifiers, and its clinically assigned features were extracted from the report. The corresponding LI-RADS v2018 category was computed as a re-scored clinical read. Each examination was randomly assigned to two of 43 research readers who independently scored the observation. Agreement for an ordinal modified four-category LI-RADS scale (LR-1/2, LR-3, LR-4, LR-5/M/tumor in vein) was computed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Agreement was also computed for dichotomized malignancy (LR-4/LR5/LR-M/LR-tumor in vein), LR-5, and LR-M. Agreement was compared between researchversus-research reads and research-versus-clinical reads. Results: 484 patients (mean age, 62 years ±10 [SD]; 156 women; 93 CT, 391 MRI) were included. ICCs for ordinal LI-RADS, dichotomized malignancy, LR-5, and LR-M were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.74), 0.63 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.71), 0.58 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.66), and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.61) respectively. Research-versus-research reader agreement was higher than research-versus-clinical agreement for modified four-category LI-RADS (ICC, 0.68 vs. 0.62, P = .03) and for dichotomized malignancy (ICC, 0.63 vs. 0.53, P = .005), but not for LR-5 (P = .14) or LR-M (P = .94). Conclusion: There was moderate agreement for Liver Imaging-Reporting and Data System v2018 overall. For some comparisons, research-versus-research reader agreement was higher than research-versus-clinical reader agreement, indicating differences between the clinical and research environments that warrant further study

Investigation in to the Positional Running Demands of Elite Gaelic Football Players: How Competition Data Can Inform Training Practice

This study investigated the positional running demands of elite Gaelic football players during match play and compared these demands with typical training activities used to prepare players for competition. Global positioning system (GPS) data were obtained from 30 elite Gaelic football players (26.9 ± 3.5 years, 182.8 ± 6.1 cm, 84.6 ± 8.1 kg) across a full season (13 competitive games and 78 training sessions). Only players who completed the full match and respective training sessions were included (n = 107 match files and n = 1,603 training files). Data were collected using 4-Hz GPS units (VX Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand). Mean high speed (≥17 km·h; m·min), mean speed (m·min), percentage at high speed (%), and mean sprint efforts (≥17 km·h; no.·min) were recorded. Running variables were analyzed across the 5 outfield positional lines in Gaelic football (full back [FB], half back [HB], midfield [MF], half forward, and full forward [FF]). For mean high-speed running and mean speed, significant relationships (range r = 0.811-0.964 and r = 0.792-0.998, respectively) were found between competition and game-based training for players in the FB, HB, MF, and FF lines (p ≤ 0.05). Analyses of mean sprint efforts and percentage at high speed found positive correlations between competition and training activities across each of the positional lines. Appropriately designed training activities can ensure that the position-specific demands of elite Gaelic football competition are met using a game-based training approach. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the value of and provide support for the use of a game-based training approach as a method of preparing players for the physical demands of competition in elite Gaelic football

Relationship between load and readiness to train in a Gaelic football pre-competition training camp

The purpose of this study was to investigate daily deviations of selected physiological and psychometric variables in elite Gaelic football players during a pre-competition training camp to minimize the risk of overtraining and injury. Thirty elite Gaelic football players (26.9 ± 3.5 years, 182.8 ± 6.1 cm, 84.6 ± 8.1 kg) participated in this study. Data were collected during a 5-day warm-weather training camp. External training loads (TL) of total distance (TD) and high-speed running distance (HSR) were measured via global positioning system (GPS) technology. Physiological response to external load was measured via countermovement jump (CMJ) using an Electronic Jump Mat. Internal TL (Session RPE X Session Duration) was recorded for each player post-session and psychometric data were recorded each morning upon rising using the Metrifit athlete monitoring system, calculating a readiness to train (RTT) score for each player. There were no statistically significant day to day variations in countermovement jump (CMJ) scores and RTT (Coefficient of Variation: 7.98% & 13.87%, small to moderate effect size respectively). Data were stratified based on the volume of HSR performed, with no statistically significant differences in RTT on the following day between selected high or low ‘loaders’. While TD, HSR and internal TL varied significantly from day to day, there were no adverse effects on individual CMJ or RTT scores on the following day. The findings of the current study demonstrate that an appropriately planned pre-competition training camp can provide a dedicated and prolonged period of time to develop tactical and team play elements while not adversely impacting levels of fatigue

Match-play running demands and technical performance among elite Gaelic footballers: does divisional status count?

The aim of the current study was to compare positional differences in running demands and technical performance variables among elite Gaelic football teams from separate Divisions. Data were obtained from a Division 1 (26.7 +/- 2.9 years, 179.2 +/- 21.3 cm, 89.9 +/- 21.2 kg) and a Division 3 (25.7 +/- 3.5 years, 183.0 +/- 4.7 cm, 84.4 +/- 6.5 kg) team. Match-play running variables were collected using 4-Hz global positioning system (GPS) units (VX Sport, New-Zealand) (Match data sets; Division 1: n = 107, Division 3: n = 97). Selected variables assessed were high speed running distance (HSR) (>/=17 km.h), number of high-speed efforts (HSE) (>/= 17 km.h), relative high-speed distance (RHSD) (>/= 17 km.h; m.min) and percentage of time at high speed (%HS). Each variable was analysed across the 5 positional groups in Gaelic football (full-back, half-back, midfield, half-forward, full-forward). The same 25 competitive games were analysed using GPS and the Sports Code video analysis system (Sports Code Elite V9, Sportstec, NSW, Australia). Technical performance variables selected for analysis were total kick/hand passes, tackles, shots and percentage of time in possession. HSR running demands were differentiated between the divisions; the Division 3 team demonstrated significantly greater HSR, HSE, RHSD and %HS than the Division 1 team (p <0.05). Positional-specific analysis found that the Division 3 fullback and midfield positional lines had significantly greater HSR, RHSD and %HS than their Division 1 counterparts. The Division 1 team made a greater number of total tackles, with significantly more tackles in the middle third (p <0.05). The Division 3 team performed a significantly greater number of hand passes and unsuccessful shots per game (p <0.01). The results of the present study indicate that overall technical proficiency, rather than high-speed running profiles, differentiate Division 1 and 3 Gaelic football teams