Purpose: To examine the influence of the match period on the movement patterns of hockey players according to their playing positions under the introduction of quarters (QTRs). Methods: Sixteen subelite-level Spanish National League male hockey players participated in the study (age: 25.5 [2.9] y; body mass: 74.6 [5.5] kg). Global positioning system devices were used to monitor players` running performance during 17 competitive matches (113 match-play profiles). Only players who played for at least 85% of the game were analyzed. Players were placed into 3 position categories: backs, midfielders, and forwards. Results: Moderate to large differences in relative total distance were found between midfielders and both backs and forwards in all QTRs (effect size [ES]: 0.4-1.2). ES for total distance was moderate for midfielders when compared with backs during the first QTR (moderate ES: 0.7). Midfielders and forwards covered more distance (m and m/min) in high-velocity zones than backs (ES: 0.6). Acceleration activities (n·min-1) at moderate and high intensities decreased in all groups across QTRs with moderate to very large ES (ES: 0.4-1.4). Relative sprinting distance decreased in backs (ES: 0.8). Backs had fewer repeated-sprint bouts (n and n/min) as the game progressed (ES: 1.0). Conclusions: During competitive match play, a degree of positional variation can be observed across QTRs. The relative distance and the number of accelerations and decelerations at moderate and high intensity decreased across QTRs. No between-QTRs differences in high-speed activity were reported.
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