Physical Demands and Salivary Immunoglobulin A Responses of Elite Australian Rules Football Athletes to Match Play

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Coad ◽  
Bon Gray ◽  
George Wehbe ◽  
Christopher McLellan
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Immunological Function ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Salivary Immunoglobulin A

Purpose:To examine the response or pre- and postmatch salivary immunoglobulin A concentration ([s-IgA]) to Australian Football League (AFL) match play and investigate the acute and cumulative influence of player workload and postmatch [s-IgA] after repeated participation in AFL match play.Methods:Eleven elite AFL athletes (21.8 ± 2.4 y, 186.9 ± 7.9 cm, 87.4 ± 7.5 kg) were monitored throughout 3 matches during the preseason that were separated by 7 d. Saliva samples were collected across each AFL match at 24 h and 1 h prematch and 1, 12, 36, and 60 h postmatch to determine [s-IgA]. Global positioning systems (GPS) with integrated triaxial accelerometers were used to determine total player workload during match play. Hypothesis testing was conducted for time-dependent changes in [s-IgA] and player load using a repeated-measures ANOVA.Results:Player load during match 3 (1266 ± 124.6 AU) was significantly (P < .01) greater than in match 1 (1096 ± 115.1 AU) and match 2 (1082 ± 90.4 AU). Across match 3, [s-IgA] was significantly (P < .01) suppressed at 2 postmatch measures (12 and 36 h) compared with prematch measures (24 and 1 h), which coincided with significantly (P < .01) elevated player load.Conclusion:The findings indicate that an increase in player load during AFL preseason match play resulted in compromised postmatch mucosal immunological function. Longitudinal assessment of AFL-match player load and mucosal immunological function across the first 60 h of recovery may augment monitoring and preparedness strategies for athletes.

Seasonal Analysis of Mucosal Immunological Function and Physical Demands in Professional Australian Rules Footballers

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 574-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Coad ◽  
Bon Gray ◽  
Christopher McLellan
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Immunological Function ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Monitoring Strategies ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Seasonal Analysis

Purpose:To assess match-to-match variations in salivary immunoglobulin A concentration ([s-IgA]) measured at 36 h postmatch throughout an Australian Football League (AFL) premiership season and to assess the trends between 36-h-postmatch [s-IgA] and match-play exercise workloads throughout the same season.Methods:Eighteen elite male AFL athletes (24 ± 4.2 y, 187.0 ± 7.1 cm, 87.0 ± 7.6 kg) were monitored on a weekly basis to determine total match-play exercise workloads and 36-h-postmatch [s-IgA] throughout 16 consecutive matches in an AFL premiership season. Global positioning systems (GPS) with integrated triaxial accelerometers were used to measure exercise workloads (PlayerLoad) during each AFL match. A linear mixed-model analyses was conducted for time-dependent changes in [s-IgA] and player load.Results:A significant main effect was found for longitudinal postmatch [s-IgA] data (F16,240 = 3.78, P < .01) and PlayerLoad data (F16,66 = 1.98, P = .03). For all matches after and including match 7, a substantial suppression trend in [s-IgA] 36-h-postmatch values was found compared with preseason baseline [s-IgA].Conclusion:The current study provides novel data regarding longitudinal trends in 36-h-postmatch [s-IgA] for AFL athletes. Results demonstrate that weekly in-season AFL match-play exercise workloads may result in delayed mucosal immunological recovery beyond 36 h postmatch. The inclusion of individual athlete-monitoring strategies of [s-IgA] may be advantageous in the detection of compromised postmatch mucosal immunological function for AFL athletes.

scholarly journals Team numerical advantage in Australian rules football: A missing piece of the scoring puzzle?

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254591
Author(s):  
Jeremy P. Alexander ◽  
Timothy Bedin ◽  
Karl B. Jackson ◽  
Sam Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Tracking Data ◽  
Event Data ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Player Tracking ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Numerical Advantage

The primary aim of this study was to determine the relationship between a team numerical advantage during structured phases of play and match event outcomes in professional Australian football. The secondary aim was to quantify how players occupy different sub-areas of the playing field in match play, while accounting for match phase and ball location. Spatiotemporal player tracking data and play-by-play event data from professional players and teams were collected from the 2019 Australian Football League season played at a single stadium. Logistic regression analysed the relationship between total players and team numerical advantage during clearances and inside 50’s. Total players and team numerical advantage were also quantified continuously throughout a match, which were separated into three match phases (offence, defence, and stoppage) and four field positions (defensive 50, defensive midfield, attacking midfield, and forward 50). Results identified an increased team numerical advantage produced a greater likelihood of gaining possession from clearances or generating a score from inside 50’s. Although, an increased number of total players inside 50 was likely associated with a concomitant decrease in the probability of scoring, irrespective of a team numerical advantage. Teams were largely outnumbered when the ball was in their forward 50 but attained a numerical advantage when the ball was in the defensive 50.

scholarly journals Measurement of the head impacts in a sub-elite Australian Rules football team with an instrumented patch: An exploratory analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
D King ◽  
M Hecimovich ◽  
T Clark ◽  
C Gissane
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Magnitude Distribution ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Football Team ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Frequency Magnitude Distribution ◽  
Frequency Magnitude

An investigation was made of the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts in Australian Football League players over a season of matches. In a prospective cohort analysis of impact magnitude, frequency, and distribution on data collected with a wireless head impact sensor worn behind the ear of 23 players, a total of 4903 impacts were recorded. Players experienced on average 407 ± 143 impacts over the duration of the study resulting in 30 ± 38 impacts per-player per-match. Linear accelerations ranged from 10  g to 153  g with a mean, median, and 95th percentile value of 17  g, 13  g, and 40  g, respectively. Rotational accelerations ranged from 130 rad/s2 to 21,890 rad/s2 with a mean, median, and 95th percentile value of 2426 rad/s2, 1556 rad/s2, and 7571 rad/s2, respectively. This study obtained initial measurements on the frequency, magnitude, distribution, and risk weighted exposure of head impacts in Australia Rules Football in order to better inform medical personnel in the identification and evaluation of at-risk players for concussion. The location of impacts varied considerably with the back of the head recording more total impacts than the front, side, and top. Midfielders sustained more impacts per-player, per-match, and had higher median resultant linear accelerations than forwards and defenders. The results of this study, in which most impacts were within the low severity limit for linear, rotational, HITSP, and RWECP, indicate that Australian Rules football needs to include more encompassing methods of examination of player exposure.

scholarly journals Effects of stricter management guidelines on return-to-play timeframes following concussion in professional Australian Rules football

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J Pearce ◽  
Doug A King ◽  
Adam J White ◽  
Catherine M Suter
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Concussion Management ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Policy Objectives ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundManagement of concussion remains a serious issue for professional sports, particularly with the growing knowledge on the consequences of repetitive concussion. One primary concern is the subjective assessment of recovery that dictates the time until a concussed athlete is returned to competition. In response to this concern, the Australian Football League (AFL) changed its policy in 2020 such that clearance for return-to-play was extended from one day, to a minimum of five days, prior to the next scheduled match.ObjectiveWe sought to examine the impact of the AFL policy change by asking whether the time to return-to-play after concussion was increased in the 2020 season relative to previous years.MethodsRetrospective data on injury and return-to-play were sourced from publicly available tables published on the AFL website. We compared the number of matches missed and the number of days missed in concussed players across 2017 to 2020 inclusive.ResultsAnalysis of data from 166 concussed players revealed no increase in the number of matches missed in 2020 relative to previous years as would have been expected from an extend recovery protocol. Considering the number of days missed in 2020 relative to 2017-19 we found, paradoxically, that there was an overall reduction in the average time to return-to-play in 2020 (11.2 vs 16.2 days).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that any policy change around concussion management requires ongoing auditing to ensure clearance meets policy objectives and highlights the need for objective measures for return-to-play after concussion.

scholarly journals Future Directions and Considerations for Talent Identification in Australian Football

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Bonney ◽  
Paul Larkin ◽  
Kevin Ball
Keyword(s):  
Skill Assessment ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Identification Process ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Assessment Procedures

As the focus on the elite Australian Football League competition becomes greater so too does the demand for success. Clubs are heavily scrutinized for their draft selections and as such are taking more interest in the younger levels of competition in an attempt to identify and monitor talent. Based on contemporary talent identification knowledge, this review examines the current talent identification process in Australian football, with a focus on areas to potentially improve or inform future developments. Currently, a significant gap exists between static and isolated assessment procedures used to identify talent in Australian football and the dynamic nature of match play. Future assessments should consider factors such as maturation, fatigue and ecological dynamics. The addition of a valid and reliable technical skill assessment (e.g., a small-sided game) to the current Australian Football League draft combine was recommended.

Monitoring Neuromuscular Fatigue in Team-Sport Athletes Using a Cycle-Ergometer Test

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Wehbe ◽  
Tim Gabbett ◽  
Dan Dwyer ◽  
Christopher McLellan ◽  
Sam Coad
Keyword(s):  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Team Sport ◽  
Cycle Ergometer ◽  
Neuromuscular Fatigue ◽  
Active Recovery ◽  
Cycle Ergometer Test ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football

Purpose:To compare a novel sprint test on a cycle ergometer with a countermovement-jump (CMJ) test for monitoring neuromuscular fatigue after Australian rules football match play.Methods:Twelve elite under-18 Australian rules football players (mean ± SD age 17.5 ± 0.6 y, stature 184.7 ± 8.8 cm, body mass 75.3 ± 7.8 kg) from an Australian Football League club’s Academy program performed a short sprint test on a cycle ergometer along with a single CMJ test 1 h prematch and 1, 24, and 48 h postmatch. The cycle-ergometer sprint test involved a standardized warm-up, a maximal 6-s sprint, a 1-min active recovery, and a 2nd maximal 6-s sprint, with the highest power output of the 2 sprints recorded as peak power (PP).Results:There were small to moderate differences between postmatch changes in cycle-ergometer PP and CMJ PP at 1 (ES = 0.49), 24 (ES = –0.85), and 48 h postmatch (ES = 0.44). There was a substantial reduction in cycle-ergometer PP at 24 h postmatch (ES = –0.40) compared with 1 h prematch.Conclusions:The cycle-ergometer sprint test described in this study offers a novel method of neuromuscular-fatigue monitoring in team-sport athletes and specifically quantifies the concentric component of the fatigue-induced decrement of force production in muscle, which may be overlooked by a CMJ test.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Preseason Training Load and In-Season Availability in Elite Australian Football Players

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 749-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick B. Murray ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
Andrew D. Townshend
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Gps Technology ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between the proportion of preseason training sessions completed and load and injury during the ensuing Australian Football League season.Design:Single-cohort, observational study.Methods:Forty-six elite male Australian football players from 1 club participated. Players were divided into 3 equal groups based on the amount of preseason training completed (high [HTL], >85% sessions completed; medium [MTL], 50–85% sessions completed; and low [LTL], <50% sessions completed). Global positioning system (GPS) technology was used to record training and game loads, with all injuries recorded and classified by club medical staff. Differences between groups were analyzed using a 2-way (group × training/competition phase) repeated-measures ANOVA, along with magnitude-based inferences. Injury incidence was expressed as injuries per 1000 h.Results:The HTL and MTL groups completed a greater proportion of in-season training sessions (81.1% and 74.2%) and matches (76.7% and 76.1%) than the LTL (56.9% and 52.7%) group. Total distance and player load were significantly greater during the first half of the in-season period for the HTL (P = .03, ES = 0.88) and MTL (P = .02, ES = 0.93) groups than the LTL group. The relative risk of injury for the LTL group (26.8/1000 h) was 1.9 times greater than that for the HTL group (14.2/1000 h) (χ2 = 3.48, df = 2, P = .17).Conclusions:Completing a greater proportion of preseason training resulted in higher training loads and greater participation in training and competition during the competitive phase of the season.

scholarly journals Comparing Gaelic Football to the Determinants of Winning Performance in Australian Rules Football at Unit-Level

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Brown
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Anthropometric Measurements ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Unit Level ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football

It has often been said that Gaelic football (GF) and Australian Rules Football (ARF) are similar sports, and amateur Gaelic footballers have been recruited to play in the professional Australian Football League. Using Wilcoxons&rsquo;s test, the significant (p &lt; 0.05) factors differentiating winning and losing performance in ARF were indirectly compared to the differentiating factors between winning and losing in GF. Of the 15 key performance indicators (KPIs) that were seen to be significant between ARF teams, six (40 %) were also seen to be significant in discriminating between winning and losing GF teams. A Mann-Whitney U test was then completed to directly compare ARF and GF, twenty-six of the 30 KPIs were seen to be significantly different to each other (p &lt; 0.05). The findings suggest that recruiting a Gaelic footballer based on the belief that their Gaelic background will aid their transition to ARF is not an appropriate decision. Instead, staying with more traditional methods of talent identification &ndash; for example anthropometric measurements &ndash; is advocated until further research is undertaken in this area.

Television commentary on women's and men's Australian Rules football: A thematic analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 101269022110332
Author(s):  
Amanda LeCouteur ◽  
Aurelia Yong
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Women's Sport ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Media Reporting ◽  
Sports Media ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football

Commentators are reported to describe male and female players in different ways across a range of sports. The present study examines televised commentary on men's and women's games in the Australian Football League during the inaugural season of the women's professional competition. A two-phase thematic analysis was applied to television commentary on 10 men's and 10 women's Australian Rules football games. Semantic thematic analysis of the broad descriptive categories used by commentators for men's and women's matches indicated greater similarity than had been reported for televised commentary of other sports like tennis, in line with recent reports of progress towards greater gender equality in sports media reporting. Although technical descriptors were used slightly more frequently in describing men's play, there were no major differences in frequency for a number of other descriptive categories (mental, physical, personal or tactical) that have previously been observed as discriminating commentary on men's and women's sport. More in-depth, discursive thematic analysis did indicate some specific patterns of difference: terms, features and details used in commentary resulted in a greater focus on women's athletic weaknesses, and negative aspects of their skills and mentality. Identification of subtle linguistic features that minimise the athleticism and accomplishments of female players suggests that continued examination of media reporting on women's increasing involvement in traditional male sports can contribute important insights for promoting gender equality.

Evening Whey Protein Intake, Rich in Tryptophan, and Sleep in Elite Male Australian Rules Football Players on Training and Nontraining Days

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Cassandra Ferguson ◽  
Brad Aisbett ◽  
Michele Lastella ◽  
Spencer Roberts ◽  
Dominique Condo
Keyword(s):  
Whey Protein ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Protein Supplement ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Australian Football

Objectives: To investigate the effect of evening whey protein supplementation, rich in tryptophan, on sleep in elite male Australian Rules Football players. Design: Double-blinded, counterbalanced, randomized, cross-over study. Methods: Sleep was assessed using wrist activity monitors and sleep diaries in 15 elite male Australian Football League players on two training and nontraining days following evening consumption of an isocaloric whey protein supplement or placebo in preseason. A 5-day preintervention period was implemented to determine habitual dietary intake and baseline sleep measures. These habitual data were used to inform the daily dietary intake and timing of ingestion of the evening whey protein supplement or placebo on the intervention days. The whey protein supplement or placebo was consumed 3 hr prior to habitual bedtime. Results: Separate one-way repeated-measures analyses of covariance revealed no differences between the whey protein supplement and the placebo on sleep duration, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, or wake after sleep onset on either training or nontraining days. Conclusions: Evening whey protein supplementation, rich in tryptophan, does not improve acute sleep duration or quality in elite male Australian Football League players. However, elite athletes may be able to ingest a high protein/energy intake close to bedtime without impairing sleep, which is important for athlete recovery. Future research should investigate the effect of evening protein intake, high in tryptophan, on sleep duration and quality, including sleep staging during periods of restricted sleep and in poor-sleeping athletes.

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