Activity profiles in adolescent netball: A combination of global positioning system technology and time-motion analysis

Abstract

This study sought to understand the activity profiles of adolescent netball players in match play conditions. To date there has been no published research in this area and such findings would give important insights to inform the training and preparation of adolescent netball players. Twenty-two adolescent netball players (age 14.5 ± 0.5 y, stature 165 ± 5 cm, body mass 58.32 ± 7.43 kg) were analysed while competing in a specially arranged outdoors match of 6 x 10 min periods. The players were categorised into one of three positional groups. To track the players’ movement GPS units were worn located between the scapulas in a purpose built harness. The match was filmed so that post-match time-motion analysis could be carried-out. Both the GPS and time-motion analysis data was classified into one of six movement categories for analysis.Midcourt players covered the greatest distance per quarter (37.73 ± 17.39 m/min) with the Attacking players covering the least distance (35.42 ±11.66 m/min). The Attacking players covered the greatest distance per quarter through sprinting (8.5 ±16.2 m/qtr), travelling nearly twice the distance of the other two groups. When comparing the mean frequency and duration of movements from the GPS and time-motion analysis, there was a discrepancy between the two methods. The results from this study suggest that in adolescent netball Midcourt players cover the greatest distance per quarter while Attacking players cover the greatest distance through sprinting. A comparison between data from the GPS and time-motion analysis suggest that the GPS units used in this study under report the frequency and duration of high intensity movements.