Australian Football Research Articles

Provision of online information and resources for resistance training in Australian youth sports: A scoping review

Objectives This study aimed to identify and synthesize online information/resources related to resistance training provided by governing bodies of the ten most popular youth sports in Australia. Design A scoping review. Methods The top 10 organised out-of-school sports were eligible for the review. A systematic search of national sporting organisation and associated websites was conducted, using key search terms. Data were extracted regarding information and/or resources aligning with current international youth muscle-and-bone strengthening activity guidelines (i.e., 5–17 years, three days per week). Results For all ten sports, information/resources on resistance training were provided for athletes or coaches, however the type of information and level of detail varied. There was lack of consistency between guidelines and information provided by sports. Age of commencement recommendations ranged from four years (athletics) to 14 years (Australian football), whilst others suggested resistance training for all ages (gymnastics) or did not provide an explicit age range (tennis and cricket). Regarding frequency, few sports organisations provided a recommendation for how many days per week resistance training should be performed. Some sports alluded to the need for youth to develop muscular fitness to enhance fitness and performance, whilst others focused primarily on the need for resistance training as an injury prevention tool. Conclusions Our findings highlight the gap that exists in the provision of information in relation to resistance training in Australian sports. It is important that national sporting organisations look to educate athletes and coaches (and parents) from grassroots levels on the need for muscular fitness.

The changing nature of how and where Australians play sport.

Understanding participation in sport is important for sport policy, strategy and management. Most research regarding participation in sport report general trends in participation rates. However, as societies trends in leisure-time activities are changing, we need to also understand the settings of sport participation. The aim of this study was to investigate the settings of sport participation of children and adults across 13 major sports in Victoria, Australia. This study utilised data about sport participation collected in the AusPlay survey from a representative sample of adults and children in Victoria, Australia. For each of the 13 sports, the settings of participation were identified for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Respondents can report participation in a particular activity in more than one setting. Therefore, we use the term "instance of participation" to refer to a person playing a particular sport in a particular setting. We calculated the weighted frequencies and prevalences pertaining to sport participation instances in each setting. In 2022 compared to 2020, overall participation was 1.1% higher for children and 1.2% higher for adults. For children and adults, the most popular sport for each year was swimming. In 2022, the next most popular sports for children were Australian football, basketball, gymnastics and soccer, and for adults' tennis, basketball, golf and Australian football. For children, approximately half of participation took place within a sports club or association setting (56-60%). For adults, approximately one third of participation took place within a sports club or association setting (36%). Much of the adult participation took place in non-organised settings. The largest increases in participation in clubs and associations in 2022 compared to 2020 for children was for, hockey, soccer, gymnastics, and Australian football. The adult participation in sports clubs or associations did not fair as well, with 8 sports decreasing the proportion of participation in this setting. As a society, we continue to evolve in how we consume participation in sport, and sport policy, infrastructure and opportunities to play need to be directed towards those particular settings and modes of delivery of sport where and how individuals want to play.

Intervention Accuracy and Perception of Fatigue in State-Level Australian Football Umpires

This investigation examined intervention accuracy and perception of fatigue associated with umpiring state-level Australian Rules football (AF). 39 field umpires (Age: 25.2 ± 6.8 y, Body Mass: 74.6 ± 7.9 kg, Height: 178.9 ± 7.4 cm) employed by the Western Australian Football Commission, were recruited. Intervention accuracy (whether given free kicks were correct) was analysed post-event by the lead investigator using footage of the matches, with two umpire coaches being used for reliability. Perception of fatigue was assessed pre- and post-match using a questionnaire. Data was collected in 22 Western Australian Football League matches in the 2023 season. 384 free kicks were recorded, with 343 correct and 41 incorrect decisions. Each umpire awarded 9.8 ± 3.8 free-kicks, with a distribution of correct-to-incorrect being 8.8 ± 3.2 to 1.1 ± 1.1 free-kicks per match. Intervention accuracy was 89.3 ± 10.4% correct. Significant decline in intervention accuracy between first and second half (W = .931, p = .021) was found. No significant declines in intervention accuracy between quarters were observed. Perception of fatigue was unchanged across matches ( p = .074). Our results demonstrate that umpires are generally accurate when adjudicating free kicks but said accuracy declines across a match. The results of this study, provide important insight on free-kick accuracy and perception of fatigue in state-level AF umpires, and may help regulatory bodies designing strategies to improve umpiring outcomes.

Survival and longevity among male Australian elite athletes: A retrospective cohort study.

To quantify and compare survival and longevity in three populations of male Australian elite athletes, relative to sex- and age-matched referents from the general population. Retrospective cohort study. This study comprised a census of three populations of male Australian elite athletes (i.e. N = 10,502 Australian Football League players, N = 803 national team rugby union players, and N = 1527 Olympic athletes) who debuted from 1-JAN-1921 to 31-DEC-2023. Nonparametric relative survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier estimator to generate survival curves, the Pohar Perme method and a log-rank type test to estimate and compare net survival, and the life years difference measure to estimate longevity gains or losses. Olympic athletes had a continuous gain in net survival post-debut, with an average life years difference of 3.40 (95 % confidence interval 2.30 to 4.49) years at the maximum follow-up time. Australian football and rugby union players initially had modest gains in net survival post-debut, followed by a gradual decline in net survival, with average life years differences of 0.31 (95 % confidence interval -0.03 to 0.65) and -0.67 (95 % confidence interval -1.87 to 0.53) years at the maximum follow-up time, respectively. Net survival was significantly different across the three cohorts (test statistic 21.8; degrees of freedom = 2; p < 0.001). Expected survival benefits were offset in elite male Australian football and rugby union players. Further research examining cause-specific mortality is warranted to elucidate the underlying reasons for the observed lack of expected survival benefit in Australian football and rugby union players.

The Determinants of Maximal Speed Adaptation During Preseason in Subelite Female Australian Rules Footballers.

Maximal speed is an important physical-fitness attribute for female Australian footballers. The effects of sprint training, maximal strength, and technical training have been reported in laboratory studies. However, no study has determined the combined effect and relative contribution of these training modalities on maximal speed adaptation in situ. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the training factors affecting maximal speed adaptation during a preseason in subelite female Australian Rules footballers. Maximal speed during field training, predicted 1-repetition maximum (1RM) for box squat and hip thrust, and sprint biomechanics were assessed during early and late preseason (∼9wk apart) in 15 female subelite Australian Rules Football players (age 20 [3]y). On-field training volume and intensity (total distance, high-speed running, very-high-speed running, and maximal speed) were determined using a Global Positioning System. A multivariate regression model was used to determine the factors associated with changes in maximal speed across the preseason. The preseason training program had a small effect on maximal speed and large to very large effects on strength and sprint biomechanics. The multivariate regression with the greatest fit (P < .001, R2 = .939) included change in estimated 1RM box squat (β = -0.63), total distance per week (β = -0.55), and change in hip projection (β = 0.16) as factors. Multivariate regression of biomechanical factors (P = .044, R2 = .717) and maximal strength factors (P = .003, R2 = .676) were also significant. The development of maximal speed across a preseason is dependent on (1)total distance per week, (2)maximal strength adaptation, and (3)sprint technique adaptation in female subelite Australian rules football players.

Factors contributing to concussion incidence in women’s and girls’ Australian Football: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial

Factors contributing to concussion incidence in women’s and girls’ Australian Football: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial

Epidemiology of Hamstring Strain Injuries in Elite Male Australian Football Players: An Analysis of 773 Injuries Over 7 Seasons

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence, recurrence, and time loss until achievement of recovery milestones of hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) across 7 playing seasons using data from the Soft Tissue Injury Registry of the Australian Football League (STRAFL). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Eighteen AFL teams participated in the STRAFL in at least 1 season between 2014 and 2020 (average 15.7 teams per season). Details of each clinically diagnosed HSI were recorded on a standardized injury surveillance form by medical staff. RESULTS: 773 HSIs from 424 different players were reported, with each team averaging 7 HSIs per season. Of all in-season injuries, 72% occurred during competitive games. The biceps femoris was most commonly injured (84%) followed by the semimembranosus (11%). Recurrent HSIs accounted for 26% of all injuries, with 52% occurring within 2 months of the index injury. The majority (93%) of recurrent injuries were to the biceps femoris. Return to play was 30 ± 19 days for index injuries and 36 ± 22 days for recurrent injuries. CONCLUSIONS: An average of 7 HSIs per season per club were sustained, including a recurrence of 26%, with most injuries occurring within in-season competitive games. The biceps femoris took longer than the medial hamstrings to reach recovery milestones of running at &gt;90% top speed, return to full training, and return to play. JOSPT Open 2024;2(4):289-296. Epub 15 July 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.0359

A decade of gastrocnemius injuries in elite men’s Australian Football: A descriptive epidemiological evaluation

A decade of gastrocnemius injuries in elite men’s Australian Football: A descriptive epidemiological evaluation

Relationship Between Hip and Groin Pain and Hip Range of Motion in Amateur Soccer and Australian Rules Football Players

Background: The relationship between hip/groin pain and hip range of motion (ROM) is unclear. Purpose: To explore the relationship between hip/groin pain and hip joint ROM and examine the influence of sex and cam morphology on this relationship. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included were 184 amateur soccer and Australian Rules football players (276 hips; 20% women; median age, 26 years; interquartile range, 24-30 years) with hip/groin pain &gt;6 months and a positive flexion-adduction-internal-rotation (FADIR) test, and 50 matched asymptomatic control players (98 hips; 28% women, median age, 26 years; interquartile range, 23-31 years). Hip ROM measures were flexion, internal and external rotation at 90° of hip flexion, total rotation (internal and external), and bent-knee fall out (BKFO). Cam morphology was determined from anteroposterior pelvis or 45° Dunn radiographs, defined by an alpha angle ≥60°. Linear regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between group (symptomatic and asymptomatic) and each ROM measure. Interaction terms (group × cam morphology or group × sex) were included to examine if relationships between group and hip ROM were influenced by cam morphology or sex. Where appropriate, models were adjusted for sex, age, and cam morphology. Results: An interaction between the relationship between group × cam and internal rotation ROM was found. Symptomatic players with cam morphology had lower internal rotation ROM than controls with cam morphology (adjusted mean difference [AMD] = −4.5°; 95% CI, −7.4° to −1.6°). Hip/groin pain was not associated with internal rotation ROM if cam morphology was absent. A significant interaction was also found for group × sex and BKFO and total rotation ROM. Symptomatic women had lower total rotation ROM than control women (AMD = −8.2°; 95% CI, −14.1° to −2.2°), but no difference was seen in men. BKFO range was lower in men with hip/groin pain compared with control men (AMD = 1.6 cm; 95% CI, 0.3-3.0 cm), but no difference was seen in women. Flexion and external rotation ROM did not differ between symptomatic and control hips. Conclusion: Cam morphology was an effect modifier of the relationship between hip/groin pain and internal rotation ROM. Sex-related differences were also observed in the relationship between hip/groin pain and hip ROM.

Familial Predisposition to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Australian Rules Footballers

Familial Predisposition to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Australian Rules Footballers

A retrospective evaluation of self-reported concussion history among male players drafted into professional Australian Rules Football

A retrospective evaluation of self-reported concussion history among male players drafted into professional Australian Rules Football

Functional resistance training program reduces injury risk in Australian Football players

Functional resistance training program reduces injury risk in Australian Football players

An industry supported healthcare model for concussion management in junior community Australian Football

An industry supported healthcare model for concussion management in junior community Australian Football

Women's specific health factors in community level Australian footballers

Women's specific health factors in community level Australian footballers

Muscle Fat and Volume Differences in People With Hip-Related Pain Compared With Controls: A Machine Learning Approach.

Hip-related pain (HRP) affects young to middle-aged active adults and impacts physical activity, finances and quality of life. HRP includes conditions like femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and labral tears. Lateral hip muscle dysfunction and atrophy in HRP are more pronounced in advanced hip pathology, with limited evidence in younger populations. While MRI use for assessing hip muscle morphology is increasing, with automated deep-learning techniques showing promise, studies assessing their accuracy are limited. Therefore, we aimed to compare hip intramuscular fat infiltrate (MFI) and muscle volume, in individuals with and without HRP as well as assess the reliability and accuracy of automated machine-learning segmentations compared with human-generated segmentation. This cross-sectional study included sub-elite/amateur football players (Australian football and soccer) with a greater than 6-month history of HRP [n = 180, average age 28.32, (standard deviation 5.88) years, 19% female] and a control group of sub-elite/amateur football players without pain [n = 48, 28.89 (6.22) years, 29% female]. Muscle volume and MFI of gluteus maximus, medius, minimis and tensor fascia latae were assessed using MRI. Associations between muscle volume and group were explored using linear regression models, controlling for body mass index, age, sport and sex. A convolutional neural network (CNN) machine-learning approach was compared with human-performed muscle segmentations in a subset of participants (n = 52) using intraclass correlation coefficients and Sorensen-Dice index. When considering adjusted estimates of muscle volume, there were significant differences observed between groups for gluteus medius (adjusted mean difference 23 858 mm3 [95% confidence interval 7563, 40 137]; p = 0.004) and tensor fascia latae (6660 mm3 [2440, 13 075]; p = 0.042). No differences were observed between groups for gluteus maximus (18 265 mm3 [-21 209, 50 782]; p = 0.419) or minimus (3893 mm3 [-2209, 9996]; p = 0.21). The CNN was trained for 30 000 iterations and assessed its accuracy and reliability on an independent testing dataset, achieving high segmentation accuracy (mean Sorenson-Dice index >0.900) and excellent muscle volume and MFI reliability (ICC2,1 > 0.900). The CNN outperformed manual raters, who had slightly lower interrater accuracy (Sorensen-Dice index >0.800) and reliability (ICC2,1 > 0.800). The increased muscle volumes in the symptomatic group compared with controls could be associated with increased myofibrillar size, sarcoplasmic hypertrophy or both. These changes may facilitate greater muscular efficiency for a given load, enabling the athlete to maintain their normal level of function. In addition, the CNNs for muscle segmentation was more efficient and demonstrated excellent reliability in comparison to manual segmentations.

A survey of video-based human action recognition in team sports

Over the past few decades, numerous studies have focused on identifying and recognizing human actions using machine learning and computer vision techniques. Video-based human action recognition (HAR) aims to detect actions from video sequences automatically. This can cover simple gestures to complex actions involving multiple people interacting with objects. Actions in team sports exhibit a different nature compared to other sports, since they tend to occur at a faster pace and involve more human-human interactions. As a result, research has typically not focused on the challenges of HAR in team sports. This paper comprehensively summarises HAR-related research and applications with specific focus on team sports such as football (soccer), basketball and Australian rules football. Key datasets used for HAR-related team sports research are explored. Finally, common challenges and future work are discussed, and possible research directions identified.

Anaerobic and Aerobic Metabolic Capacities Contributing to Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 Test Performance in Australian Rules Footballers.

This study aimed to identify the aerobic and anaerobic metabolic performance capacities contributing to Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) test performance. Nineteen recreational Australian footballers completed a Yo-Yo IR2 test, and on another day a treadmill peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit test in a randomised counter-balanced order. The maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) procedures included 5 × 5 min sub-maximal continuous runs at progressively higher speeds whilst VO2 was recorded; thereafter, speed was incrementally increased to elicit VO2peak. After 35 min of rest, participants ran at a speed equivalent to 115% of VO2peak until exhaustion, at which point expired air was collected to determine maximal accumulated oxygen deficit. Relationships between variables were assessed using Pearson's correlation and partial correlations. Maximum aerobic speed, relative intensity, and VO2peak were significantly correlated with Yo-Yo IR2 performance. High Yo-Yo IR2 performers also had higher MAS, relative intensity, and VO2peak levels. However, when higher maximum aerobic speed, relative intensity, and VO2peak were controlled for each other and analysed independently, neither maximal aerobic speed nor VO2peak correlated with Yo-Yo IR2 performance. Yo-Yo IR2 performance is the result of a complex interaction between several variables. Training programs should primarily focus on improving VO2peak, maximal aerobic speed, and relative intensity to optimize Yo-Yo IR2 test performance.

Preseason and In-Season High-Speed Running Demands of 2 Professional Australian Rules Football Teams.

Australian Rules Football athletes complete long preseasons, yet injuries occur frequently at early stages of the competitive season. Little is known about the high-speed running (HSR) prescription during a preseason or whether players are adequately prepared for competition. This study described absolute and relative preseason and in-season HSR demands of 2 professional Australian football teams. HSR and sprinting volumes are significantly lower in elite Australian Rules football athletes during in-season compared with preseason. Cohort study. Level 3. During the 2019 season, HSR volume was collected for 2 professional Australian football teams (n = 55). Individual maximum speeds (Vmax) were captured to calculate relative running speed thresholds, as reported in 5% increments from 70%Vmax to 100%Vmax. Weekly volume of running above 70%Vmax (P = 0.01; r = 0.56) and 80%Vmax (P = 0.01; r = 0.58) was significantly greater in the preseason than the in-season. The weekly volume completed above 90%Vmax was not significantly greater in the preseason than the in-season (P = 0.10; r = 0.22). Individual variation in the distance completed at specific percentages of Vmax expressed as a coefficient of variation was reported as 51% at 71% to 80%Vmax, 39% at 81% to 90%Vmax, and 41% at 91% to 100%Vmax. The volume of HSR completed by athletes is far greater in the initial 4 weeks of the preseason than in any other point in preseason or competitive phases. At the individual level, there is substantial variation in the distance covered. This supports the concept of a heavily individualized approach to high-speed prescription and monitoring. Practitioners should carefully consider individual variation regarding sprinting volume during both preseason and in-season when prescribing and monitoring training to improve on-field performance and reduce the risk of injury.

Normative and correlation data of hip and groin strength in professional male Australian football players

Normative and correlation data of hip and groin strength in professional male Australian football players

The influence of age, sex and player position on skill demands in junior Australian football

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate how ecological constraints influence individual player skill demands in community-level junior Australian Football (AF). Footage from 68 junior AF games, incorporating 1874 unique players, were analysed for individual skill demands such as disposals, kicks, handballs, tackles, marks, and shots at goal per player per game. Multiple linear mixed effect models were created for each skill, using player as a random effect. The impact of age, relative area per player (RAPP), number of players on the team, quarters in midfield, and weather on skill demands was assessed in U9-U14 boys. Finally, the influence of sex on the same skills was explored in U11-U14 boys and girls. Younger players were found to have fewer disposals and handballs, but more tackles, per player than older players (all p < 0.05). Further, more quarters in the midfield increased all skill demands (all p < 0.001). Finally, girls had fewer disposals and marks, but more tackles, per player than boys (all p < 0.05). Overall, age, sex, and position significantly impacted players’ exposure to skills in junior AF. Game designers should consider methods to improve skill involvement and reduce tackling exposure early in the junior pathway, with further emphasis on the girls’ game.