Gaelic football and hurling are the national sports of
Ireland, while soccer is also a prominent field game.
All three codes have many similarities in terms of
playing tasks and playing skills. Gaelic football and hurling
are similar in that each team comprises 14 outfield players
positioned similarly and matches are 70 min in duration,
while soccer teams are composed of 10 outfield players and
matches are 90 min in duration. The main difference
between Gaelic football and hurling is that Gaelic football
is played with a ball similar to that used in soccer while
hurling is played with a stick (a hurley) and a round ball
similar in size to a handball (a sliothar). Each code places
various demands on the aerobic system, and an intermittent
emphasis on anaerobic metabolism and high intensity
exercise, while strength, strength endurance, flexibility, and
speed are all important components of fitness.
The physiology of soccer has been widely reviewed,1 2 and
there have also been some investigations into both the
physiological profiles3 and the physiological demands4 of
Gaelic football. There is, however, a distinct lack of scientific
knowledge about hurling. A direct comparison between each
of the sports has not been conducted. Consequently, the
purpose of this study was to examine the physiological
profiles of elite players of these sports.