This investigation identified the common characteristics of both acceleration and deceleration in senior male international field hockey matches. The aim was to identify these characteristics on a positional basis. The activity of 24 players across 10 matches was investigated. Each participant wore an individual GPS unit (STATSports APEX), operating at 10 Hz. Based on match data, we identified all acceleration and deceleration efforts. Additional information relating to that effort was extracted such as distance, magnitude and duration per effort, time between efforts. The largest proportion of acceleration (71%) and deceleration (61%) events were completed within a 3-3. 99m.s-1 range. There was a greater proportion of deceleration efforts (11%) than acceleration efforts (6%) observed at magnitudes >5m.s-1. Up to 54% of all acceleration efforts were within a distance of 2-7m and 93% of deceleration efforts were =5m. Defenders completed acceleration efforts of a shorter distance (6.20m) as compared to both midfielders (7.59m) and forwards (7.54m), with no difference in magnitude identified. The parameters identified in this investigation can aid in the prescription and monitoring of training for international hockey players. In training, players should experience accelerations and decelerations of similar distances and magnitude to those experienced during match play. These data can be compared to training drill data to ensure players are being afforded the opportunity to complete efforts of similar magnitude and distance in the training environment. However, further investigation relating to the contextual environment in which these events are accumulated is warranted.
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