Abstract
BackgroundThis study compares ball in play (BiP) analyses and both whole game (WG) and quarter averaged data for physical and technical demands of sub-elite Australian football (AF) players competing in the West Australian Football League across playing positions.MethodsMicrosensor data were collected from 33 male AF players in one club over 19 games of the 2019 season. BiP time periods and technical performance data (e.g., kicks) were acquired from the Champion Data timeline of statistics, and time matched to the microsensor data. Linear mixed modelling was utilised to establish differences between maximum BiP periods and averaged data.ResultsThe analyses indicated significant differences (p < 0.0001) between maximum BiP and WG data for all metrics and all playing position (half-line, key position, and midfielders). The percentage difference was greatest for very high-speed running (171–178%), accelerations (136–142%), high-intensity efforts (128–139%), and high-speed running (134–147%) compared to PlayerLoad™ (50–56%) and total running distance (56–59%). No significant (p > 0.05) differences were evident for maximum BiP periods when they were compared between playing positions (i.e., half line vs key position vs midfield). Significant (p < 0.0001) differences were also noted between maximum BiP phases and averaged data across all 4 quarters, for each microsensor metric, and all playing positions. Technical actions (e.g., kicks and handballs) were observed in 21–48% of maximum BiP phases, depending on playing positions and microsensor metric assessed, with kicks and handballs constituting > 50% of all actions performed.ConclusionsThese results show the BiP analysis method provides a more accurate assessment of the physical demands and technical actions performed by AF players, which are underestimated when using averaged data. The data presented in this study may be used to inform the design and monitoring of representative practice, ensuring that athletes are prepared for both the physical and technical demands of the most demanding passages of play.
Highlights
This study compares ball in play (BiP) analyses and both whole game (WG) and quarter averaged data for physical and technical demands of sub-elite Australian football (AF) players competing in the West Australian Football League across playing positions
Participants Microsensor data were collected from 33 male sub-elite AF athletes from one club competing in the 2019 West Australian Football League (WAFL) season over 19 games (15 regular season; 4 finals series), recording 13 wins and 6 losses
Whole game vs maximum ball in play Maximum BiP phases were significantly greater (p < 0.0001) for all playing positions across all microsensor metrics when compared with those averaged across an entire game (Tables 2 and 3)
Summary
This study compares ball in play (BiP) analyses and both whole game (WG) and quarter averaged data for physical and technical demands of sub-elite Australian football (AF) players competing in the West Australian Football League across playing positions. Match running demands are usually assessed using wearable microsensor technology, inclusive of global position systems (GPS) and micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMs) within a small unit [1,2,3,4] to provide a wide range of accurate and valid data [5] Oftentimes, these data is presented averaged across quarters, halves or the entire match [2, 3, 6, 7]. There has been a growing need to identify the maximum periods of play, where the physical demands placed upon players are at their highest [9, 10] Data of this kind can subsequently be utilised to inform the intensity of training prescription that more closely replicates that which is experienced by players during AF matches, providing both a physical and technical stimulus that is more likely to transfer to competition [10,11,12]. Through understanding maximal intensities, coach led training drills can be monitored with greater accuracy [12]
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