## 4 Discussion  
The primary aim of the current observational study was to quantify each rotation running performance and heart rate responses in elite female field hockey players. Secondly, we aimed to quantify the demands of individual rotations across the positional lines of play. Research conducted on elite female field hockey rotational demands is limited [5,11]. Therefore, an examination of the physical and physiological demands during each rotation in elite female field hockey is warranted. The main findings of the current study were that irrespective of position small to large effects were observed for relative total distance during each rotation when compared to average match-play outputs for elite female hockey players, with no significant difference reported across relative high-speed and relative sprint distance. Furthermore, while no difference was reported across the rotations, a significant main effect was seen across the positional lines of play for multiple GPS variables. Finally, it was observed that HRmax (%) was significantly different for players across the rotational phases of play. The data reported within the current study show that regardless of position elite female field hockey players cover a total distance of 868 \(\pm\) 132 m (124.9 \(\pm\) 10.7 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)) with 140 \(\pm\) 39 m (20.1 \(\pm\) 4.5 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)) covered at high-speed across each rotation. When positional lines of play were considered a significant small to moderate difference for relative values of total distance, high-speed distance and sprint distance were observed. Specifically, defenders were reported to have the lowest relative total distance (119.8 \(\pm\) 11.0 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)) when compared to midfield (123.6 \(\pm\) 7.6 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)) and the forwards (131.1 \(\pm\) 11 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)), with these differences small to very large depending on specific positional comparisons (Figure 1). Furthermore, when high-speed running was considered, very large differences were reported across positions with forwards (23.5 \(\pm\) 1.2 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)) shown to cover increased high-speed running when compared to midfielders (21.8 \(\pm\) 1.4 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)) and defenders (14.9 \(\pm\) 1.2 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\)), respectively (Figure 2). These findings represent a continuation of trends recently reported by [PERSON] et al. [3] with respect to quarters of competitive match-play and agree with this literature. It was suggested that during the quarters of competitive match-play elite female field hockey players would cover an average relative distance of 126 \(\pm\) 15.3 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\). Although these results were similar to that recently reported for the average quarter demands, it is important to note that all rotations have been pooled together to give an average rotational demand. Prior to match-play, coaching staff will determine their tactical approach to the opposition. Once this has been agreed, they will often implement specific match strategies such as key playing personnel being on the pitch longer than others. Coaching staff should aim to establish the average rotational demands for each individual during match-play. By knowing these individual averages, practitioners can modify duration and player numbers within small-sided games to best replicate and exceed the positional and individuals match-play demands [16]. Irrespective of positions. elite female field hockey players complete on average eight rotations during competitive match-play. During these individual rotations, players are likely to spend a mean time of 7 \(\pm\) 1 min on their feet. Within these 7 min, players are likely to cover an average relative total distance of 124.9 \(\pm\) 10.7 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\) with a relative high-speed distance of 20.7 \(\pm\) 5.8 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\).