Contextual Factors Influencing Physical Activity and Technical Performance in Australian Football League Women's Competition Match-Play

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.

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Influence of Contextual Factors, Technical Performance, and Movement Demands on the Subjective Task Load Associated With Professional Rugby League Match-Play

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0998 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Thomas Mullen ◽

Craig Twist ◽

Matthew Daniels ◽

Nicholas Dobbin ◽

Jamie Highton

Keyword(s):

Contextual Factors ◽

Rugby League ◽

Match Play ◽

Final Model ◽

Task Load ◽

Technical Performance ◽

Mental Demand ◽

Technical Errors ◽

Perception Of Effort ◽

Data Points

Purpose: To identify the association between several contextual match factors, technical performance, and external movement demands on the subjective task load of elite rugby league players. Methods: Individual subjective task load, quantified using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), was collected from 29 professional rugby league players from one club competing in the European Super League throughout the 2017 season. The sample consisted of 26 matches (441 individual data points). Linear mixed modeling revealed that various combinations of contextual factors, technical performance, and movement demands were associated with subjective task load. Results: Greater number of tackles (effect size correlation ± 90% confidence intervals; η2 = .18 ± .11), errors (η2 = .15 ± .08), decelerations (η2 = .12 ± .08), increased sprint distance (η2 = .13 ± .08), losing matches (η2 = .36 ± .08), and increased perception of effort (η2 = .27 ± .08) led to most likely–very likely increases in subjective total task load. The independent variables included in the final model for subjective mental demand (match outcome, time played, and number of accelerations) were unclear, excluding a likely small correlation with technical errors (η2 = .10 ± .08). Conclusions: These data provide a greater understanding of the subjective task load and their association with several contextual factors, technical performance, and external movement demands during rugby league competition. Practitioners could use this detailed quantification of internal loads to inform recovery sessions and current training practices.

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

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254591 ◽

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.

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Future Directions and Considerations for Talent Identification in Australian Football

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2020.612067 ◽

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.

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

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2015-0242 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 574-580 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

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Muscle Glycogen Utilization During an Australian Rules Football Game

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0106 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 122-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harry E. Routledge ◽

Jill J. Leckey ◽

Matt J. Lee ◽

Andrew Garnham ◽

Stuart Graham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Glycogen ◽

High Speed ◽

Fiber Type ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Match Play ◽

Australian Football League ◽

Before And After ◽

Australian Football ◽

Glycogen Utilization

Purpose: To better understand the carbohydrate (CHO) requirement of Australian Football (AF) match play by quantifying muscle glycogen utilization during an in-season AF match. Methods: After a 24-h CHO-loading protocol of 8 and 2 g/kg in the prematch meal, 2 elite male forward players had biopsies sampled from m. vastus lateralis before and after participation in a South Australian Football League game. Player A (87.2 kg) consumed water only during match play, whereas player B (87.6 kg) consumed 88 g CHO via CHO gels. External load was quantified using global positioning system technology. Results: Player A completed more minutes on the ground (115 vs 98 min) and covered greater total distance (12.2 vs 11.2 km) than player B, although with similar high-speed running (837 vs 1070 m) and sprinting (135 vs 138 m). Muscle glycogen decreased by 66% in player A (pre: 656 mmol/kg dry weight [dw], post: 223 mmol/kg dw) and 24% in player B (pre: 544 mmol/kg dw, post: 416 mmol/kg dw). Conclusion: Prematch CHO loading elevated muscle glycogen concentrations (ie, >500 mmol/kg dw), the magnitude of which appears sufficient to meet the metabolic demands of elite AF match play. The glycogen cost of AF match play may be greater than in soccer and rugby, and CHO feeding may also spare muscle glycogen use. Further studies using larger sample sizes are now required to quantify the interindividual variability of glycogen cost of match play (including muscle and fiber-type-specific responses), as well examining potential metabolic and ergogenic effects of CHO feeding.

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