In-Season Cardiovascular Improvement Of Collegiate Field Hockey Players

In collegiate field hockey, there is no defined cap on total practice volume. Therefore, it is important to understand the players' cardiovascular capacity as they progress through a competitive season. PURPOSE: To examine the rates of improvement in cardiovascular parameters of field hockey players. METHODS: We monitored 19 D1 field hockey players for 51 consecutive practices using Polar Team Pro monitors. Data exported were average heart rate (HRavg), maximum heart rate (HRmax), average speed, distances in 5 speed zones, and Polar's calculation of training load score and recovery duration. Dependent variables were HR during practice and duration of recovery following practice. Linear regression models tested the point in the season (day or practice number) on dependent variables holding constant average speed and distances in the 5 zones. Secondary analyses held training load constant in the place of speed and distances. RESULTS: Across all practices, HRavg was 138.3 ± 15.0 bpm, HRmax was 189.4 ± 13.8 bpm, average speed was 2.9 ± 0.7 km/h, distance was 3.9 ± 1.6 km, and recovery time was 27.5 ± 36.9 hours. Holding speed and speed zone distances constant, each successive practice predicted 0.3 bpm lower HRavg (p < 0.001; β = -0.254; 95% CI: -0.312 to -0.197) and 0.6 hours shorter recovery (p < 0.001; β = -0.620; 95% CI: -0.760 to -0.480). There was no effect on the athletes' ability to achieve HRmax (p = 0.502). Each additional day of the season predicted 0.1 bpm lower HRavg (p < 0.001; β = -0.135; 95% CI: -0.168 to -0.103) and 0.4 hours shorter recovery (p < 0.001; β = -0.358; 95% CI: -0.437 to -0.278); there was no effect on HRmax (p = 0.436). Holding training load constant, each additional practice predicted 0.2 bpm lower HRavg (p < 0.001; β = -0.173; 95% CI: -0.216 to -0.131) and 0.3 hours shorter recovery (p < 0.001; 95% CI: -0.409 to -0.199); HRmax increased 0.1 bpm with each additional practice (p < 0.001; β = -0.090; 95% CI: 0.036 to 0.144). Each successive day predicted 0.1 bpm lower HRavg (p < 0.001;β = -0.090; 95% CI: -0.115 to -0.066) and 0.2 hours shorter recovery (p < 0.001; β = -0.181; 95% CI: -0.240 to -0.122); HRmax increased 0.1 bpm with each additional day (p < 0.001; β = -0.052; 95% CI: 0.022 to 0.083). CONCLUSION: Field hockey players may benefit from gradual increases in exertion and longer recovery periods earlier in the competitive season.