Activity profile of international female lacrosse players

This study was designed to investigate the activity profile in international women's lacrosse match-play. Data were collected of 10 female Austrian lacrosse national team players (29.1 ± 6.1 years; 64.2 ± 5.0 kg; and 165.3 ± 4.1 cm) during 4 games of an international tournament using global positioning system and heart rate monitor devices. The mean average heart rate was 75.3 ± 5.0% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) with 23 ± 6.1% of total playing time spent in HRzone 4 (80–90% of HRmax). The mean distance covered during match-play was 3,791.6 ± 554.5 m, of which 38 ± 6.5% were performed in speed zone 1 (<7.0 km·h−1). Ten ±4 sprints per game were conducted with 55 ± 3.8% of accelerations and 59 ± 3.1% of decelerations in zone 1, respectively. Defenders showed greater total distance covered compared with other positions (attack: p = 0.035; d = 0.87; confidence interval [CI] = 0.18–1.56 and midfield: p = 0.006; d = 1.66; CI = 0.93–2.40). Midfielders covered less distance in speed zone 1 (p = 0.032; d = 1.91; CI = 0.53–3.28) compared with attackers, and lower numbers of accelerations (p = 0.042; d = 0.96; CI = 0.20–1.72) and decelerations (p = 0.021; d = 1.79; CI = 0.61–2.97) in zone 3 compared with defenders. Furthermore, attackers showed less distance covered in speed zone 1 (p = 0.09; d = 1.62; CI = 0.86–2.38) compared with defenders. The provided activity data could help coaches and practitioners in designing competition-specific programs for athletes. In addition, positional differences should be taken into account for tactical and physiological aspects.