scholarly journals Preparing for an Australian Football League Women's League Season

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Rose Thornton ◽  
Cameron R. Armstrong ◽  
Alex Rigby ◽  
Clare L. Minahan ◽  
Rich D. Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Range Of Movement ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Positive Performance ◽  
Standardized Effect Sizes ◽  
Australian Football

The aims were to investigate the externally measured weekly loads, and the distribution intensity relative to the 1-min maximal mean (MM) intensity of matches. Athletes (n = 28) wore 10 Hz GNSS devices during training and matches. For the descriptive analysis, a range of movement variables were collected, including total distance, high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, acceleration, and acceleration load. Using raw GNSS files, 1-min moving averages were calculated for speed (m·min−1) and acceleration (m·s−2), and were multiplied by time, specifying total distance (m), and by body mass to quantify impulse (kN·s−1). The distribution of distance and impulse accumulated at varied intensities relative to MMs was calculated, with percentages ranging from zero to 110%. Drills were categorized as either; warm-ups, skill drills, games (i.e., small-sided games), conditioning and matches. Linear mixed models determined if the distribution of intensity within each threshold (>50%) varied between drill types and matches, and if the distribution within drill types varied across the season. Effects were described using standardized effect sizes (ES) and 90% confidence limits (CL). Compared to matches, a higher proportion of distance was accumulated at 50% of the MM within warm-ups and conditioning (ES range 0.86–1.14). During matches a higher proportion of distance was accumulated at 60% of MM when compared to warms ups, skill drills and conditioning (0.73–1.87). Similarly, greater proportion of distance was accumulated between 70 and 100% MM in matches compared to skill drills and warm-ups (1.05–3.93). For impulse, matches had a higher proportion between 60 and 80% of the MM compared to conditioning drills (0.91–3.23). There were no other substantial differences in the proportion of impulse between matches and drill types. When comparing phases, during competition there was a higher proportion of distance accumulated at 50% MM than general preparation (1.08). A higher proportion of distance was covered at higher intensities within matches compared to drills. The proportion of impulse was higher between 60 and 80% MM within matches compared to conditioning. Practitioners can therefore ensure athletes are not only exposed to the intensities common within competition, but also the volume accumulated is comparable, which may have positive performance outcomes, but is also extremely important in the return to play process.

Fifteen-Year Audit of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions in the Australian Football League From 1999 to 2013: Return to Play and Subsequent ACL Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (14) ◽  
pp. 3353-3360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney C.H. Lai ◽  
Julian A. Feller ◽  
Kate E. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Risk Ratio ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Rates Of Return ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has been a major cause of missed game time among Australian Football League (AFL) players. Return to play after ACL reconstruction is not always achieved, even among elite athletes. The rate of subsequent ACL injury in the AFL from 1990 to 2000 was high as compared with that of other elite sports. Purpose: To determine the rates of return to play and subsequent ACL injury after ACL reconstruction among AFL players from 1999 to 2013 and to explore factors associated with differing rates of return to play and subsequent ACL injury. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 158 AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction were identified from a prospectively maintained registry of AFL player injuries. Further data were gathered from official playing statistics, surgical records, and structured phone interviews. Results: The rate of return to play after an initial ACL injury was 77% (121 of 158 players). Greater preinjury playing experience and earlier selection in the AFL draft were associated with higher rates of return to play. The rate of subsequent ACL injury to either knee was 30% (48 of 158 players) and was especially high among players aged <21 years (23 of 46 players, 50%). After subsequent ACL injury, 34 of 48 players (71%) returned to play. In primary ACL reconstruction, the use of Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System grafts resulted in a faster return to play ( P = .001) but had a higher risk of subsequent revision reconstruction (risk ratio = 2.8, P = .048). Family history of ACL injury was associated with an increased risk of subsequent contralateral ACL injury (risk ratio = 3.8, P = .002). Conclusion: Most AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction returned to play at least 1 AFL match. The high rate of subsequent ACL injury among AFL players demonstrates the highly demanding nature of Australian football, particularly at the elite level. The risk factors for subsequent ACL injury should be considered carefully when treatment and rehabilitation decisions are made for these high-demand athletes.

Playing Performance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Among Australian Football League Players From 1999 to 2013

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1550-1556
Author(s):  
Courtney C.H. Lai ◽  
Julian A. Feller ◽  
Kate E. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Average Level ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Achieving preinjury levels of athletic performance has been challenging for elite athletes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Although a recent study found that 77% of Australian Football League (AFL) players who underwent ACL reconstruction from 1999 to 2013 returned to play at the highest level, the study did not indicate how consistently or well they were able to play. Purpose: To identify the number of AFL players who returned to play consistently over 2 seasons after ACL reconstruction, compare their playing performance in these seasons with preinjury performance, and evaluate factors associated with returning to preinjury levels of performance. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Analysis included 104 AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction between 1999 and 2013. All had played at least 10 AFL matches in 1 season before ACL injury. Ranking points, as devised by AFL statisticians, were used to measure individual playing performance. Results: Of the 104 players who played at least 10 matches in 1 season before ACL injury, 53 (51%) returned to play at least 10 matches in 2 seasons after surgery. Of these 53 players, 36 (68%) returned to their preinjury levels of performance. The 17 remaining players who did not return to their preinjury performance still performed comparably to the AFL average level after surgery. Players <25 years old (odds ratio = 2.9, P = .01) or <90 kg (odds ratio = 2.7, P = .03) had greater odds of returning to their preinjury levels of performance. Conclusion: Returning to play on a consistent basis was a substantial challenge for AFL players after ACL reconstruction. However, among players who did return to play consistently over 2 seasons, their postsurgery average performance was comparable with the AFL average level of performance, and two-thirds returned to their preinjury levels of performance. Younger and lighter players were more likely to return to their preinjury levels of performance, possibly given the nature of AFL club playing list management decisions.

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.

Return to Professional Australian Rules Football After Surgery for Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110290
Author(s):  
Michael Perret ◽  
Sarah Warby ◽  
Godefroy Brais ◽  
Stephanie Hinse ◽  
Sophie Hoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Instability ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Anterior Shoulder Instability ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Early Return ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Australian Football

Background: The treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability in professional Australian Football League (AFL) players is challenging, with an emphasis on early return to play and avoidance of instability recurrence. Purpose: To investigate return-to-sport (RTS) outcomes and complications after 2 different procedures for traumatic anterior shoulder instability in professional AFL players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our surgical database for professional AFL players who underwent capsulolabral stabilization or open Latarjet procedure by a single surgeon between 2006 and 2017. Outcomes included RTS, on-field performance, and complications. Between-group analyses for RTS and complications were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Within-group analyses for on-field performance data were performed using paired t tests with significance set at .05. Results: A total of 58 capsulolabral stabilization procedures in 54 players and 32 Latarjet procedures in 29 players were included in the analysis; 93.1% of capsulolabral patients and 96.9% of Latarjet patients returned to professional AFL. The median RTS time was 6.8 months for the capsulolabral group and 7.3 months for the Latarjet group. There was no significant difference in RTS rates between the 2 groups ( P = .270). Of those undergoing surgery early in the season, 75% of the capsulolabral and 71% of Latarjet group were able to RTS within the same season, at a mean time of 16.9 weeks and 18.8 weeks, respectively. There was a significant difference in instability recurrence, with 19% for the capsulolabral group and no recurrence in the Latarjet group ( P = .017). There was no significant reduction in player on-field performance in either group ( P < .05). Conclusion: In this study, the median RTS in AFL players was approximately 7 months after capsulolabral and Latarjet surgery with no compromise to on-field performance. Instability-related complications occurred only in the capsulolabral group, and the incidence increased with time.

Quantification of Training Load During Return to Play After Upper- and Lower-Body Injury in Australian Rules Football

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Ritchie ◽  
Will G. Hopkins ◽  
Martin Buchheit ◽  
Justin Cordy ◽  
Jonathan D. Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Australian Rules Football ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Point Total ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Context:Training volume, intensity, and distribution are important factors during periods of return to play.Purpose:To quantify the effect of injury on training load (TL) before and after return to play (RTP) in professional Australian Rules football.Methods:Perceived training load (RPE-TL) for 44 players was obtained for all indoor and outdoor training sessions, while field-based training was monitored via GPS (total distance, high-speed running, mean speed). When a player sustained a competition time-loss injury, weekly TL was quantified for 3 wk before and after RTP. General linear mixed models, with inference about magnitudes standardized by between-players SDs, were used to quantify effects of lower- and upper-body injury on TL compared with the team.Results:While total RPE-TL was similar to the team 2 wk before RTP, training distribution was different, whereby skills RPE-TL was likely and most likely lower for upper- and lower-body injury, respectively, and most likely replaced with small to very large increases in running and other conditioning load. Weekly total distance and high-speed running were most likely moderately to largely reduced for lower- and upper-body injury until after RTP, at which point total RPE-TL, training distribution, total distance, and high-speed running were similar to the team. Mean speed of field-based training was similar before and after RTP compared with the team.Conclusions:Despite injured athletes’ obtaining comparable TLs to uninjured players, training distribution is different until after RTP, indicating the importance of monitoring all types of training that athletes complete.

Factors Affecting Match Running Performance in Professional Australian Football

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1199-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Ryan ◽  
Aaron J. Coutts ◽  
Joel Hocking ◽  
Thomas Kempton
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Running Performance ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Individual Player ◽  
Australian Football

Purpose:To examine the influence of a range of individual player characteristics and match-related factors on activity profiles during professional Australian football matches. Methods:Global positioning system (GPS) profiles were collected from 34 professional Australian football players from the same club over 15 competition matches. GPS data were classified into relative total and high-speed running (HSR; >20 km/h) distances. Individual player aerobic fitness was determined from a 2-km time trial conducted during the preseason. Each match was classified according to match location, season phase, recovery length, opposition strength, and match outcome. The total number of stoppages during the match was obtained from a commercial statistics provider. A linear mixed model was constructed to examine the influence of player characteristics and match-related factors on both relative total and HSR outputs. Results:Player aerobic fitness had a large effect on relative total and HSR distances. Away matches and matches lost produced only small reductions in relative HSR distances, while the number of rotations also had a small positive effect. Matches won, more player rotations, and playing against strong opposition all resulted in small to moderate increases in relative total distance, while early season phase, increased number of stoppages, and away matches resulted in small to moderate reductions in relative total distance. Conclusions:There is a likely interplay of factors that influence running performance during Australian football matches. The results highlight the need to consider a variety of contextual factors when interpreting physical output from matches.

scholarly journals Muscle Glycogen Utilization During an Australian Rules Football Game

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-124 ◽  
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.

MRI assessment of calf injuries in Australian Football League players: findings that influence return to play

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Waterworth ◽  
Sara Wein ◽  
Alexandra Gorelik ◽  
Andrew H. Rotstein
Keyword(s):  
Return To Play ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football

The Effects of Endurance-Based Skills-Specific Running Loads on Same-Day Resistance-Training Performance in Professional Australian Rules Football Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1281-1288
Author(s):  
Dean Ritchie ◽  
Justin Keogh ◽  
Steven Stern ◽  
Peter Reaburn ◽  
Fergus O’Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Concurrent Training ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Maximal Velocity ◽  
Endurance Running ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Australian Football

Little is known about the effect of preceding endurance-exercise bouts on subsequent resistance-training (RT) performance in team-sport players. Purpose: To examine the effect of prior skills/endurance training and different recovery time periods on subsequent same-day RT performance in professional Australian football players. Methods: Sport-specific endurance-running loads (duration [in minutes], total distance [in meters], mean speed [in meters per minute], high-speed running >15 km·h−1, and relative high-speed running [>75% and >85% of maximal velocity]) were obtained for 46 professional Australian football players for each training session across an entire competitive season. RT was prescribed in 3 weekly mesocycles with tonnage (in kilograms) lifted recorded as RT performance. Endurance and RT sessions were interspersed by different recovery durations: ∼20 min and 1, 2, and 3 h. Fixed- and mixed-effect linear models assessed the influence of skills/endurance-running loads on RT performance. Models also accounted for season period (preseason vs in-season) and recovery duration between concurrent training bouts. Results: An increase in high-speed running and distance covered >75% and >85% of maximal velocity had the greatest reductions on RT performance. In-season total distance covered displayed greater negative effects on subsequent RT performance compared with preseason, while ∼20-min recovery between skills/endurance and RT was associated with greater reductions in RT performance, compared with 1-, 2-, and 3-h recovery. Conclusions: Sport-specific endurance-running loads negatively affect subsequent same-day RT performance, and this effect is greater in-season and with shorter recovery durations between bouts.

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