The congested schedule of collegiate field hockey poses a significant challenge to maintaining optimal athlete performance and wellness. The main problem addressed was how to effectively measure and manage the internal load (objective data) and wellness (subjective data) of athletes to prevent overtraining, mitigate injury and burnout, and enhance performance.

The study utilized the Beyond Pulse wearable tracker to capture second-by-second heart rate measurements, classifying them into five zones based on the percentage of maximum heart rate. Simultaneously, subjective wellness metrics (sleep quality, muscle soreness, stress levels, and fatigue) were collected via questionnaires, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the athletes' physical and psychological state throughout the season.

Data collection was systematically conducted over a 7-week period, covering 12 matches. The Beyond Pulse tracker was employed for the entire duration of each match, with wellness questionnaires administered at key intervals (mid-week, post-match 1, and post-match 2), providing a rich dataset for analysis.

The study monitored 18 NCAA Division I female field hockey players throughout the 2020/2021 season. Players included were those in outfield positions—forward, midfielder, or defender. For data to be included, participants needed to play at least 30 minutes in a game and participate in at least one set of back-to-back matches during the 7-week period. Due to these criteria, the final analysis included data from 12 players. These players had an average age of 20.4 years, were 164.0 cm tall on average, and weighed an average of 67.5 kg.

Out of the 12 players, 10 completed at least one set of questionnaires at specified times—mid-week, after the first match, and after the second match of the week. Compliance with these questionnaires was high, with rates of 90% for mid-week, 80% for after the first match, and 78% for after the second match. Some matches required travel, with players traveling an average distance of 421 km for away games.

The application of Beyond Pulse technology facilitated a nuanced understanding of internal load and wellness. Specifically, the ability to detect shifts towards lower heart rate zones and to align these with self-reported wellness metrics offers a powerful tool for coaches and practitioners. 

This depth of insight enables targeted adjustments to training and recovery strategies, emphasizing the critical role of objective data and subjective data in managing athlete workload and recovery.

Szymkowicz, J. M., Saari, A., & Hillman, A. (2024). Internal load and wellness responses between consecutive collegiate female field hockey matches. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241236670