The seasonal variations in anthropometric and performance characteristics of elite intercounty gaelic football players

There is limited research assessing the anthropometric and performance variations in elite Gaelic football. The aim of this study was to assess the anthropometric and performance characteristics of an elite intercounty squad within a season. After ethical approval and informed consent, 26 participants were assessed at the start of preseason (November), after early in-season (January), and midseason (March). Measurements included stature, body mass, sum of 8 skinfold sites (∑Skf8), estimated body fat percentage (bf%), squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint times, upper body and lower-body strength (1 repetition maximum), and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test 2 (Yo-Yo IR2). A multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine seasonal and positional variations. Anthropometric variations were observed with an overall increase in participants’ body mass and a concomitant decrease in ∑Skf8 and bf% (-21.5%, p = 0.002, η² = 0.15; -1.43%, p = 0.004, η² = 0.13). Performance variations showed improvements in sprint time over 5-m (p = 0.001, η² = 0.19) and 10-m (p = 0.008, η² = 0.11), SJ (p = 0.013, η² = 0.1), CMJ (p = 0.013, η² = 0.1) height and Yo-Yo IR2 (p < 0.001, η² = 0.34) noted from preseason to midseason. Significant anthropometric variations are observed between the preseason and early in-season; meanwhile, significant performance variations are observed between the preseason and midseason. Distinct positional variations are evident for both anthropometric and performance characteristics at all time points. Applied practitioners should consider these findings when implementing a seasonal training plan.