Strength and Conditioning Recommendations for Female GAA Athletes: The Camogie Player

Abstract

Camogie (kuh·mow·gee) is a traditional, amateur Gaelic sport played by female athletes. This invasion-based field sport involves high-intensity intermittent physical demands. There is currently a dearth of available research in intercounty despite the prevalence of research in the male version of the game (hurling). The aims of this article are to provide strength and conditioning recommendations for the sport of camogie, specifically at intercounty level. These recommendations include considerations working with intercounty female camogie athletes, specific camogie injury epidemiology, physiological demands, and practical strength and conditioning for implementation by practitioners. Moreover, a sport-specific testing battery; development of physical attributes to enhance match-play performance; a proposed annual periodization cycle; and sample strength, speed and agility programs will be discussed.