Correlations of physiological responses in squash players during competition

Physiological and perceptual responses to playing in squash competition are not well-known. Laboratory testing is commonly used to determine metabolic profile of players, to evaluate physiological training-induced changes and/or determine appropriate training intensities. In racket sports such as squash, success is largely dependent on technical, tactical and motor skills (Lees, 2003). Squash is a moderate-to-high intensity intermittent exercise. Players are active 50 to 70 per cent of the playing time and 80 per cent of the time the ball is in play 10 s or less. The rest intervals fit a normal distribution with an average duration of 8 s. Heart rate increases rapidly in the first minutes of play and remains stable at approximately 160 beats.min−1

for the whole match regardless of players’ competitive levels (Montpetit, 1990).