INFLUENCE OF TEAM RATING ON RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN ELITE GAELIC FOOTBALL

It is currently unknown how team rating influences running performance in Gaelic football. Global positioning system technologies were used to quantify match-running performance within 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012-2016). In total 780 player data sets were collected over 95 matches. Running performance variables included total distance, high-speed distance (>= 17 km . h(-1)), and the percentage of high-speed distance. Team ratings were determined objectively using the Elo rating system for Gaelic football. Reference team rating had trivial effects on total distance (p = 0.011, partial eta(2) = 0.008) and high-speed distance (p = 0.011, partial eta(2) = 0.008). Opposition team rating had small effects on total distance (p = 0.005, partial eta(2) = 0.016) and high-speed distance (p = 0.001, partial eta(2) = 0.020). Top-tier teams cover greater total distances and high-speed distance than lower tier teams. Players cover considerably less total distance and high-speed distance against tier-3 and tier-4 teams. Tier-1 players ran a significantly higher percentage of distance at high speed than players who played for tier-2 teams (p = 0.020). The competitive advantage of top-tier Gaelic football teams is closely linked with their ability to demonstrate a higher physical intensity than lower tier teams.