Purpose: Several rule changes have been implemented by the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) with the most significant ones being unlimited substitutions and a change In the format from two 35min halves to four 15min quarters. Limited literature is currently available to confirm whether these changes were effective in Increasing the intensity. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the external loads international female hockey players experience during matches. Furthermore, fluctuations in intensity during matches were also investigated. Methods: The match activity profiles (n=142) of 24 female hockey players were recorded during nine official International test matches using 10Hz GPS units. Relative distance covered (m/min), relative player load (PL/min), high speed running (HSR) (4.18-5.19 m/s), sprinting (>5.20 m/s) and high intensity running (HIR) (>4.18 m/s) were compared across these periods. To Investigate variations in intensity the matches were divided Into 2:30 min periods in addition to the four 15 min quarters. A linear mixed model was used to determine differences (p < 0.05) between variables, with effect sizes and 90% confidence intervals used to determine the magnitude of the effects. Results: The players covered a total relative distance of 117.9 m/min of which 14.9% consisted of HIR. An average PL for the total match was at 11.4 with the fourth quarter significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the first quarter. The last 2:30 min period of the third and the fourth quarters were significantly (p < 0.05) lower that the first 2:30 min period of the first quarter. A similar trend was found for relative distance covered with a significant decline in the final quarter compared to the first quarter. However, HIR showed small (ES < 0.2) insignificant variations during the matches, with the last quarter revealing higher values than the first quarter (15.5 vs 14.9%). Conclusion: Although it seems that a certain amount of fatigue occurred during matches when looking at relative player load and distance covered, it seems that players were able to maintain their intensity throughout the matches.
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