Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a lack of research in the sport of field hockey, specifically where monitoring of fatigue and recovery is concerned. The primary aim of the study was thus to monitor the accumulative fatigue and recovery state of elite field hockey players during the different phases of a competitive season. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the changes in heart rate recovery of elite hockey players; to determine the changes in perceptual fatigue; to determine the relationship between players’ perceptions of recovery and stress; and to determine the relationship between the objective and subjective measures of recovery and fatigue over different phases during a competitive season. Elite female hockey players (n = 15) from Stellenbosch University were monitored over 23 weeks. This group comprised of players from the first team (Maties) and second team (VICS) of the club. The following tests were administered: the Heart rate Interval Monitoring System (HIMS) test with the use of SUUNTO heart rate monitors and SUUNTO Team Manager, the Perceptual Fatigue questionnaire (on a weekly basis), and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport 76) (during each phase of their normal competition cycle). There were a number of significant findings (p<0.05) relating to the aim and objectives of the study. One of the main findings was that there were significant differences between the phases with regard to the measured variables. Players experienced significantly more Fatigue, Lack of Energy and Pressure during the first Competition phase. With regard to the HIMS, players performed the best during the second Competition phase, following the university holidays. Even though not all the differences were statistically significant, collectively the results indicate that these monitoring tools can be used for teams. An added advantage with all three monitoring tools is that each person can be used as their own baseline. In a team setting it gives the coach and support team the opportunity to individualise training programmes and recovery methods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is ‘n tekort aan navorsing in hokkie, en spesifiek in die monitering van vermoeienis en herstel by spelers. Die hoofdoel van die studie was dus om akkumulerende vermoeienis en die hersteltoestand van elite hokkiespelers gedurende verskillende fases van die kompetisie seisoen te monitor. Die spesifieke doelwitte van die studie was om die verandering in hartspoed herstel van die hoë vlak spelers te bepaal; om veranderinge in perseptuele vermoeienis te bepaal; om die verwantskap tussen die spelers se persepsies van herstel en stress te bepaal; om die verwantskap tussen die objektiewe en subjektiewe van herstel en vermoeienis oor die verskillende fases tydens die kompetisie seisoen te bepaal. Elite vroue hokkie spelers (n = 15) van Stellenbosch was oor 23 weke gemonitor. Hierdie groep het uit spelers van die eerste span (Maties) en die tweede span (VICS) van die klub bestaan. Die volgende toetse was uitgevoer: Die Hartspoed Interval Monitering Sisteem (HIMS) toets met behulp van die SUUNTO hartspoed monitors en die SUUNTO span administrasie sisteem; en die Perseptuele Vermoeienis vraelys was op ‘n weeklikse basis voltooi, terwyl die Herstel Stres vraelys vir Sportmense (RESTQ-Sport 76) gedurende elke fase van hul oefensiklus voltooi is. Daar was ‘n aantal betekenisvolle bevindings (p<0.05) wat verband hou met die doel en doelwitte van die studie. Een van die hoof bevindings was dat daar betekenisvolle verskille tussen die fases was met betrekking tot die veranderlikes. Spelers het beduidend meer Vermoeienis, Gebrek aan Energie en Druk gedurende die eerste Kompetisie fase ervaar. Met betrekking tot die HIMS het spelers die beste presteer gedurende die tweede Kompetisie fase, na afloop van ‘n rus periode gedurende die universiteitsvakansie. Hoewel al die verskille nie statisties beduidend was nie, is daar aangedui dat die moniterings instrumente geskik is vir gebruik by spanne. ‘n Verdere voordeel by al drie moniterings instrumente is dat elke persoon as sy eie basislyn kan dien. In ‘n spanopset bied dit aan die afrigter en ondersteuningspan die geleentheid om oefening en herstelmetodes te individualiseer.