Optimizing elite rink hockey performance through position-specific load: an applied physiological and biomechanical approach

Purpose: Rinck hockey has been shown to be a highly demanding team sport with serious gaps between training and competitions. This study examined elite male rink hockey players’ training and competition variation demands, considering player positions. Methods: Ten participants from a leading European team underwent data collection during two microcycles using a local positioning system and heart-rate monitoring. A linear mixed model, accounting for individual repeated measures, was used to compare physiological and mechanical load demands between player positions across training days and competition. Results: Regarding physiological metrics, forward players showed lower total distance skated (m) on match-day-4 and match-day-2 when compared to match-day (p < 0.001) and lower maximum heart rate (bpm) on match-day-4 and match-day-3 than on match-day-2 and match-day (p < 0.001). Regarding biomechanical metrics, forwards presented lower (p < 0.001) accelerations, decelerations, and high-intense impacts across the training sessions when compared with match-day (p < 0.001). Defenders/midfielder players also experienced significantly lower high-intensity impacts than match-day (p < 0.001). Cluster analysis classified physiological and biomechanical demands into "Low" and "High" categories between training days and competition. Results highlighted the inadequacy of training sessions replicating game demands for defenders/midfielders and forwards. Conclusions: The proposed approach allows for categorizing and classifying physiological and biomechanical loads in rink hockey, assisting coaches in customizing training sessions, and emphasizing the importance of position-specific modifications in elite rink hockey training.