PURPOSE Using GPS data from actual field hockey matches, this study examined the effects of position and substitution time on the physical performance of elite female players. METHODS From 25 matches played in 2023, data involving 26 players were collected. Players’ positions were classified as forwards (FW), midfielders (MF), and defenders (DF). Substitution times were segmented into 5, 10, and 15 minutes, respectively. A two-way ANOVA was employed to analyze movement patterns across different exercise intensities as influenced by player position and substitution time, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests for further detailed analysis. RESULTS Analysis revealed that both position and substitution time significantly affected exercise intensity. Notably, at a substitution time of 5 minutes, substantial differences were observed in high-intensity movements, including the distance covered at high-intensity and the frequency of high-intensity efforts. Furthermore, the substitution time’s impact was particularly pronounced among forwards and midfielders. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that shorter substitution times can enhance players’ active movement, thereby supporting maintenance of tactical adjustments and positively influencing overall performance. Implementing shorter substitution times could be particularly beneficial for optimizing team performance, especially for players in forward positions.
