Positional Differences In Fitness And Anthropometric Characteristics In Australian Football

Abstract

Australian Football is a popular code of football in Australia, but the relative international isolation of the game has limited the scientific investigation of anthropometric and fitness characteristics of elite players. Previous studies of junior players in several sports have indicated a bias in selection towards players with an early season (or year) birthmonth. PURPOSE To characterize differences in anthropometry, fitness characteristics and birthmonth of players attending annual Australian Football League (AFL) national draft camps. METHODS A total of 423 players were tested over five consecutive camps (1999–2003). The anthropometric and fitness measures were: height, mass, skinfolds, 20-m sprint, vertical jump, agility run, and the shuttle run test. Players were categorized by either first-half (January-June) or second-half (July-December) birthmonth and into one of seven designated AFL player positions. The magnitude of differences in scores were assessed with a standardized (Cohen) effect size and interpreted qualitatively. RESULTS Ruckmen and the key positions of tall forwards and tall defenders were generally taller (range of standardized differences 1.3–2.0, large) and heavier (0.8–1.6, moderate), but had poorer sprinting (0.2–0.6, small), endurance (0.3–1.2, small-moderate) and agility (0.2–1.1, small-moderate) than mid-field players. The mean height of players increased by 3.3 cm over 5 y (standardized change 0.5, small). Although isolated substantial differences in fitness scores were evident in various years, there were no consistent trends. A majority (64%) of players attending the camps were born in the first half of a given year, but their chance of being drafted (69%) was only a little greater than that of players born in the second half (64%). CONCLUSION (a) The designated AFL player positions can be differentiated by anthropometric and fitness characteristics. (b) Taller players were being invited to attend the camps in more recent years. (c) Players with a second half birthmonth can be reassured that birthmonth does not substantially affect drafting.