Elite Australian Rules Football Research Articles

Disruptions to sleep and circadian rhythms are associated with poorer athlete mental health in female, but not male, elite Australian Rules footballers.

Elite athletes are vulnerable to sleep and circadian disruption and associated mental health symptoms. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in sleep, circadian rhythms, and mental health, as well as the moderating role of sex in the prediction of mental health, among male professional and female semi-professional elite athletes. Participants were 87 elite Australian Rules football (ARF) athletes (43% female; mean [standard deviation] age 24.0 [4.1] years). Participants completed baseline questionnaires, 2 weeks of sleep/wake monitoring via actigraphy, and a circadian phase assessment (dim-light melatonin onset [DLMO]). Cross-sectional data were collected in training-only Australian Football League (AFL) Men's and Women's pre-season periods, with 53 providing data in two pre-seasons. Female athletes, relative to males, reported poorer mental health (a higher athlete psychological strain score), had a later mid-sleep time (by 28 min), reported a greater preference towards eveningness, and displayed a later circadian phase (by 33 min). For female athletes, lower sleep efficiency and lower sleep regularity were associated with poorer mental health. For female athletes, there were U-shaped relationships between both morningness-eveningness and phase angle (interval between sleep onset and DLMO time) and mental health. No significant relationships were found for male athletes. In summary, elite female ARF athletes reported poorer mental health, relative to males, especially when experiencing sleep or circadian disruption. Lifestyle factors associated with sex differences in ARF professionalism (scheduling, finances, supports) may contribute to these findings. Programmes to improve sleep, circadian alignment, and mental health among female semi-professional elite athletes should be strongly considered.

P077 Associations of sex, sleep, and circadian rhythms with performance in elite Australian Rules footballers

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep and circadian misalignment are associated with poorer performance. In elite Australian Rules football (ARF), both sex and professionalism could alter or exacerbate these associations. This study provides preliminary insights on how the relationships of sleep and circadian alignment with cognitive performance differ between male full-professional and female semi-professional elite ARF athletes. Methods Participants were 72 elite ARF athletes (42% female; M-age = 24.1±4.4 years). During pre-season, participants completed two weeks of sleep/wake monitoring via actigraphy, and a circadian phase assessment (dim light melatonin onset; DLMO) after one week. Cognitive performance testing (psychomotor vigilance task, PVT; and the balloon analogue risk task; BART) was conducted five times throughout this period. Results Preliminary findings suggest average total sleep time and sleep efficiency, sleep regularity, DLMO, and phase angle (interval between average sleep onset and DLMO) did not predict reaction time on the PVT, nor did sex moderate these relationships. After controlling for sex, longer sleepers demonstrated greater risk taking on the BART. Only among male athletes did larger angles predict greater risk taking. Discussion Elite ARF athletes, regardless of sex, sleep, or circadian alignment, have similar reaction times. Risk taking is greater among longer sleepers and in male athletes experiencing relatively delayed circadian phases. Where risk-taking has negative implications (e.g., injury and sporting errors), these findings identify at-risk groups. Few sex-specific findings may suggest that the semi-professional status of female ARF (and associated lifestyle factors such as scheduling and income) is not altering elite performance in controlled settings.

Does game-based training replicate match inside-50 entries in elite Australian Rules football?

The purpose of this research was to determine if the training design of an elite Australian Rules football team replicated match conditions for inside-50 entries. Notational analyses of one professional Australian Rules football club's training and match footage were conducted for every disposal that entered the inside-50 during either game-based training or matches. Analysed variables included how the ball was received, time in possession and location. Statistical analyses were undertaken using Mann–Whitney tests, a multivariate analysis of variance and a decision tree analysis. Significant differences were identified between game-based training and competition matches for 34 of the 54 inside-50 entry variables. Of these 34 variables, 10 showed a strong effect between session types. When examining the efficiency of inside-50 entries, only effective disposals produced a significant difference between training and matches, with no differences for neutral and ineffective disposals. The session type, how the ball was received, decision (e.g., kick vs. handball) and pressure acts were the most important contributors to effective inside-50 entry disposal efficiency. The results suggest this professional Australian Rules team does not participate in training sessions that reflect inside-50 match conditions. This study may provide a framework for elite Australian Rules teams on which to structure their inside-50 training.

Influence of a COVID-19 induced reduction in game time on the match activity profiles of elite Australian Rules Football players

Assess the influence of a 20% reduction in game time on the volume and intensity of elite AF players’ match activity profiles. GPS technology was used to analyse the movement demands of 45 AF players from the same AFL club during 43 matches across the 2019 and 2020 seasons. GPS data were categorised into measures of volume (total match time [TMT] and total distance [TD]) and intensity (metres per minute [m.min-1], high-intensity running [HIR] distance and m.min-1 [>17 km·h-1], and very-high intensity running [VHIR] distance and m.min-1 [>23 km·h-1]). Volume decreased in 2020 with reductions in TMT (effect size [ES] ± 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.8 ± 0.2; p < .001) and TD (ES = -1.8 ± 0.2; p < .001) overall, across all positional groups, and quarters. Intensity increased, evidenced by increases in HIR m.min-1 (ES = 0.3 ± 0.1; p < .001), and VHIR m.min-1 (ES = 0.3 ± 0.2; p = .006). HIR m.min-1 increased for midfielders (ES = 0.6 ± 0.3; p = .017). Defenders exhibited increases in HIR m.min-1 (ES = 0.2 ± 0.2; p = .007), and VHIR m.min-1 (ES = 0.4 ± 0.2; p = .010). Intensity of third quarters decreased at a greater rate in 2020 with reductions in m.min-1 (ES = -0.2 ± 0.1; p = .004) and HIR m.min-1 (ES = -0.2 ± 0.1; p = .037) compared to Q1. Systematic reductions in volume were found overall, across positional groups, and quarters. Average movement speed remained relatively stable overall, across quarters and positional groups. Increases in intensity were defined predominately by increases at high and very-high intensity speeds per minute, with defenders exhibiting the greatest increase in intensity and change to their match activity profiles. Longer quarter and three-quarter time breaks, and time between goals preserved intensity.

O067 The role of biological sex in the relationship between circadian alignment and well-being in elite athletes

Abstract Introduction Circadian rhythms govern physiological timing and influence sleep, well-being, and performance. Desynchrony between circadian timing and behaviours (circadian misalignment) can compromise daily functioning. We investigated sex differences in sleep and circadian timing, and their relationship with sleep and mental health outcomes in elite athletes. Methods Participants were 87 elite Australian Rules Football (AFL) athletes (43% female; M-age =23.8±4.0 years). Data were collected prior to the start of the 2021 and 2022 AFL seasons (n= 54 participating in a repeat assessment). Circadian phase was assessed via salivary DLMO (collected hourly from 5hrs pre- to 1h post-habitual bedtime). A questionnaire battery, and two weeks of actigraphy were also completed. Results Female athletes had a significantly later circadian phase (DLMO; 20:42 vs 20:13) and midsleep time (03:24 vs 02:58), and worse self-reported athlete psychological strain (APSQ), daytime sleepiness, and insomnia, relative to male athletes. There was no sex difference in phase angle (interval between sleep onset and DLMO times; M = 2.5hrs ± 49 mins). DLMO time did not predict sleep efficiency, sleep latency, insomnia, sleepiness, or APSQ. Phase angle predicted APSQ for female athletes only, via a quadratic trend (p=.001): psychological strain was worse among female athletes with shorter and longer phase angles. Discussion Our results suggest female athletes have a later circadian phase, which is not associated with adverse outcomes except for higher psychological strain for those with greater circadian misalignment. Sports practitioners may require specific attention for circadian alignment in female athletes who are at particular risk when misaligned.

Increased Lifespan Of Elite Australian Rules Footballers Compared To Age-matched General Population

Increased Lifespan Of Elite Australian Rules Footballers Compared To Age-matched General Population

Reduced death rates of elite Australian Rules footballers compared to age-matched general population

ObjectivesTo determine age-matched death rates of current and retired elite male Australian football players (Australian and/or Victorian Football League) with the general population. DesignAnalysis of publicly-available birth, debut and death data for all Australian Victorian Football/Victorian Football League players who debuted prior to (and were still alive at) the start of 1971 or debuted 1971–2020. MethodsWikipedia was used to source the dates of death (or record that the player was alive in 2021) for the cohort. New players became part of the cohort for analysis on debut and existing cohort members left it at death. Actual death rates (per year and per decade) were then compared to expected deaths, based on age-specific population death rates. ResultsThere were 5400 players and ex-players in the cohort at the start of 1971 (average age 47.3) and a further 4532 players debuted between 1971 and 2020 inclusive (a total of 9932 players). The expected deaths for the cohort in this 50-year period were 4955, but only 3914 deaths occurred (Standardized Mortality Ratio 0.79, 95 %CI 0.76–0.82). For younger members of the cohort (age <50) the discrepancy between expected (222) and actual (98) deaths was also significant (Standardized Mortality Ratio 0.44, 95 %CI 0.35–0.56). ConclusionsWe conclude that the death rates of elite male Australian footballers are lower than the reference general population, similar to other studies of elite athletes. Some of this may be explained by “healthy cohort” selection bias, a limitation which affects almost all studies in this genre.

Examining the Eye Movement Behaviors Associated With Skilled Decision-Making by Elite Australian Rules Football Players

Exploration of eye-movement behaviors of humans can provide insight into the processes used to inform and make decisions, with a large body of research revealing general trends, especially in the sporting context. Despite this some questions remain within the sport context particularly for elite groups engaged in diverse sports, and the potential for this information to provide for training, development, and performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the critical fixation points and durations associated with superior decision-making within an elite group of Australian Rules football players. To achieve this eye-movement behavior (fixations) and associated decision-making skills of (N = 27; Mage = 25.0 ± 3.7 yrs) elite Australian Rules (AR) football players were measured while they watched game-based video clips. The most skilled players made significantly faster decisions compared to less skilled players (p < 0.001), who also had significantly shorter total fixation duration (p < 0.0001). Further, analysis showed that the most skilled players spent more time fixating on potential options within an area of interest (p = 0.003). Thus, within a group of highly skilled group of athletes, distinctions can be made on perceptual-cognitive skills, for outcome decisions and decision processes. That is, skilled decision-makers appear to have more efficient visual search strategies, which may help them process visual information more effectively. Further, examination of these behaviors may aid sport science and coaching staff identify the process that can be refined to increase player ability between and within various teams.

The Sleep Behaviors of Elite Australian Rules Footballers Before and After Games During an Entire Season.

Most athletes sleep poorly around competition. The aim of this study was to examine sleep before/after games during an entire season in elite Australian Rules footballers (N = 37) from the same team. Sleep was monitored using activity monitors for 4 consecutive nights (beginning 2 nights before games) during 19 rounds of a season. Differences in sleep on the nights before/after games, and differences in sleep before/after games as a function of game time (day vs evening), location (local vs interstate), and outcome (win vs loss), were examined using linear mixed effects models. Players fell asleep earlier (+1.9h; P < .001), and woke up later (+1h; P < .001) on the night before games compared with the night of games. Players obtained less sleep on the night of games than on the night before games (5.2h vs 7.7h; P < .001), and this reduction was exacerbated when games were played in the evening-after evening games, players obtained approximately 40 minutes less sleep than after day games (P < .001). Sleep duration on the nights before and after games was not affected by game location or game outcome, but players had later sleep onset (P < .001) and offset times (P < .001) on most nights when sleeping away from home. Elite footballers obtain good sleep on the night before games but obtain approximately 30% less sleep on the night of games. Given the role of sleep in recovery, it will be important to determine whether a reduction in sleep duration of this magnitude impairs recovery on the days following games.

Considerations in interpreting neuromuscular state in elite level Australian Rules football players

ObjectivesExamine the influence of test modality, season stage, match load and physical qualities on the interpretation of neuromuscular function (NF) post Australian Rules Football (ARF) matches. DesignRepeated measures design. MethodsThirty-two elite ARF players’ NF was assessed 72h following competitive matches (7±2) via the counter movement jump (CMJ) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Influence of season stage, external load parameters (GPS; 10Hz) and moderating influences of lower body strength (LBS), lower body power (LBP) and intermittent exercise capacity upon NF recovery were assessed using linear mixed effects models. ResultsModerate negative seasonal trends were evident for both rate of force development (RFD) 0−100ms (d=−0.86, 95%, CI: ±0.57) and 0−200ms (d=−0.76, CI: ±0.64). Significant but trivial effects of match load were observed between one standardised unit increase in high speed running (HSR) versus CMJ: Force at zero velocity (d=0.12, CI: ±0.12), and sum of high intensity accelerations and CMJ: Eccentric deceleration RFD (d=−0.18, CI: ±0.14). Accounting for baseline LBS better explained (weight of evidence: W=87%) seasonal trends observed in IMTP: peak force, with lower LBS showing greater capacity for improvement. Positive moderating influences were observed with baseline LBS and LBP (W=91 & 75%) on CMJ: eccentric mean power responses to HSR, and CMJ: jump height responses to very-HSR, respectively. ConclusionsInterpretation of athlete NF responses is complicated by the inconsistent and interacting influence of contextual factors (assessment modality, stage of season, load), in-particular higher baseline LBS and LBP may improve acute load related responses of NF.

The Sleep of Elite Australian Rules Footballers During Preseason: A Comparison of Men and Women.

Australian football has elite men's (Australian Football League; AFL) and women's (Australian Football League Women's; AFLW) competitions. This study compared AFL and AFLW players' sleep and characterized players' sleep in the context of current sleep recommendations. A total of 70 players (36 AFL, 34 AFLW) had their sleep monitored via actigraphy over a 10-day preseason period. Sleep outcomes and their intraindividual variation, were compared between AFL and AFLW players using linear mixed models. Proportions of players sleeping ≥7 and ≥8hours per night, and achieving ≥85% sleep efficiency, were compared using chi-square analyses. Compared with AFL players, AFLW players slept less (7.9 [0.5] vs 7.1 [0.6]h, P = .000), had lower sleep efficiency (89.5% [2.8%] vs 84.0% [4.4%], P = .000), and greater intraindividual variation in sleep efficiency (3.1% [0.9%] vs 5.1% [2.1%], P = .000). A total of 47% of AFLW versus 3% of AFL players averaged <7 hours sleep (χ2 = 18.6, P = .000). A total of 88% of AFLW versus 50% of AFL players averaged <8 hours sleep (χ2 = 11.9, P = .001). A total of 53% of AFLW versus 14% of AFL players averaged <85% sleep efficiency (χ2 = 12.1, P = .001). AFLW players slept less and had poorer sleep quality than AFL players. Many AFLW players do not meet current sleep duration or sleep quality recommendations. Research should test strategies to improve sleep among Australian rules footballers, particularly among elite women.

Isolated Tear of the Distal Biceps Femoris Tendon in a Young Elite Australian Rules Football Player

Isolated tear of the distal biceps femoris tendon is rare in athletes. A recent systematic review identified only a total of 22 athletes with such injuries. More specifically, only one previously reported case in an athlete outlined a tear localised to the distal tendon, as opposed to the more commonly documented myotendinous junction. Most of these injuries were treated surgically (n = 20/22) with mean (± SD) overall time to return to sport of 4.9 +/- 3.3 months. This study presents a rare case of an isolated tear of the distal biceps femoris tendon in an elite athlete under the age of 18.

Relationship Between Mechanical Effectiveness in Sprint Running and Force-Velocity Characteristics of a Countermovement Jump in Australian Rules Football Athletes.

Morris, CG, Weber, JA, and Netto, KJ. Relationship between mechanical effectiveness in sprint running and force-velocity characteristics of a countermovement jump in Australian rules football athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): e59-e65, 2022-This study evaluated the mechanical determinants of 40-m sprint performance in elite Australian Rules Football (ARF) athletes and identified variables of countermovement jumps (CMJs) that related to the sprint. Fourteen elite male ARF athletes (age = 22.7 ± 3.6 years; height = 1.88 ± 0.08 m; mass = 88.2 ± 9.38 kg) completed two 40-m sprints and 3 CMJs. Sprint mechanics were calculated using inverse dynamic methods from sprint times, anthropometric and spatiotemporal data, whereas CMJ variables were obtained from in-ground force plates. Associations between sprint mechanics, sprint performance, and CMJ variables were identified using Pearson's correlation coefficient. A p-value of <0.036 was considered statistically significant for all analyses after performing Bonferroni correction adjustment. Relative peak running power was significantly correlated (p < 0.036, r = -0.781 to -0.983) with sprint split times across all distances (5-40 m). Relative maximum horizontal force significantly correlated with acceleration performance (0-20 m, p < 0.036, r = -0.887 to -0.989). Maximum running velocity was significantly correlated (p < 0.036, r = -0.714 to -0.970) with sprint times across 20-40 m. Relative peak force in the CMJ was significantly associated (p < 0.036, r = -0.589 to -0.630) with sprint kinetics (power and horizontal force) and 5-20-m sprint times. Jump height and concentric time in the CMJ were significantly (p < 0.036) correlated with sprint time at 20 m (r = -0.550 and r = 0.546), respectively. These results indicate emphasis should be placed on training protocols that improve relative peak power, particularly in time-constrained environments such as team sports, focusing on maximal force production or maximal running velocity ability. Furthermore, associations between CMJ variables and sprint performance provide practitioners with an approach to assess sprint performance in-season, monitor training adaptations and further individualize training interventions, without requiring maximal sprint testing.

High-grade intramuscular tendon disruption in acute hamstring injury and return to play in Australian Football players.

Recent literature has reported intramuscular tendon (IT) disruption is associated with longer return to play (RTP) following acute hamstring injury. Investigate whether an increase in hamstring injury severity involving high-grade IT disruption and proximal injury location is associated with longer RTP times in elite Australian Rules Football (AFL) players. Hamstring injury records and RTP times from one professional AFL club were obtained over six seasons. MRI of injuries was retrospectively reviewed by a musculo-skeletal radiologist blinded to RTP information. A simplified four-grade classification of acute hamstring injuries was developed based on IT disruption severity and proximodistal injury location. MR0 had no observable MRI tissue damage; MR1 involved muscle-tendon junction, myofascial and low-grade IT injuries; MR2 involved distal and/or single muscle high-grade IT injuries, and MR3 involved high-grade IT injuries of the proximal biceps femoris (BF) IT with concomitant injury to BF+ semitendinosus muscles. Forty-one injuries were available for analysis. Median RTP times were as follows: MR0, 14days; MR1, 21days; MR2, 35days; and MR3, 88days. For MRI-positive injuries (MR1, MR2, MR3), there was a significant difference in the distributions of RTP, with increased injury severity associated with increased RTP times (P<.001). The distributions of RTP were significantly different between MR1 vs MR2 (P=.008), MR1 vs MR3 (P=.002), and MR2 vs MR3 (P=.012). In elite AFL players, acute hamstring injuries with high-grade IT disruption identified on MRI were associated with increased times to RTP compared to injuries with low-grade or no IT disruption.

Recovery of Force-Time Characteristics After Australian Rules Football Matches: Examining the Utility of the Isometric Midthigh Pull.

Purpose: This study assessed the utility of force-time characteristics from the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) as a measure of neuromuscular function after elite-level Australian rules football matches. It was hypothesized that rate characteristics of force development would demonstrate a different response magnitude and recovery time course than peak force measurements. Methods: Force-time characteristics of the IMTP (peak force, 0- to 50-ms rate of force development [RFD], 100- to 200-ms RFD) were collected at 48 (G+2), 72 (G+3), and 96 h (G+4) after 3 competitive Australian rules football matches. Results: Meaningful reductions (>75% of the smallest worthwhile change) were observed at G+2, G+3, and G+4 for RFD 0-50 milliseconds (-25.8%, -17.5%, and -16.9%) and at G+2 and G+3 for RFD 100-200 milliseconds (-15.7% and -11.7%). No meaningful reductions were observed for peak force at any time point (G+2 -4.0%, G+3 -3.9%, G+4 -2.7%). Higher week-to-week variation was observed for RFD 0-50 milliseconds (G+2 17.1%, G+3 27.2%, G+4 19.3%) vs both RFD 100-200 milliseconds (G+2 11.3%, G+3 11.5%, G+4 7.2%) and peak force (G+2 4.8%, G+3 4.4%, G+4 8.4%). Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential use of rate characteristics from the IMTP as measures of neuromuscular function in elite sport settings, and in particular RFD 100-200 milliseconds due to its higher reliability. Interestingly, peak force collected from the IMTP was not meaningfully suppressed at any time point after elite Australian rules football match play. This suggests that rate characteristics from IMTP may provide more sensitive and valuable insight regarding neuromuscular function recovery kinetics than peak measures.

Hip range of motion increases after a 12-week rest period in elite Australian Rules Football players

Hip range of motion increases after a 12-week rest period in elite Australian Rules Football players

A novel device to assess hip strength: Concurrent validity and normative values in male athletes

Objectives To assess concurrent validity of the new, novel externally-fixed dynamometer (GroinBar) with hand-held dynamometry (HHD); to provide normative GroinBar scores for elite Australian rules football (AFL) and football (Soccer) players; and to evaluate preliminary predictive validity of the GroinBar and HHD in this population by comparing strength results with patient-reported outcome scores. Design Cross-sectional and reliability study Participants Total of 67 athletes, 36 AFL players and 31 football (Soccer) players Setting Elite AFL and football (Soccer) teams Main Outcome Measures The GroinBar system, HHD, The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) Questionnaire. Results Moderate to good correlations were identified between the GroinBar and HHD strength tests for hip adduction and abduction in the long lever position (rs 0.53 – 0.71). Normative values of the GroinBar and HHD for both AFL and football (Soccer) players were obtained. Neither the GroinBar or HHD strength measures differed between players with groin problems and those without. Conclusion This externally fixed strength testing device, the GroinBar, may provide a robust method of athlete monitoring and screening that does not rely on tester experience and strength. Normative values are documented for hip adduction and abduction strength in elite male athletes.

Calf strain injuries in elite Australian rules football: Epidemiological features, muscles injured and return to play

Calf strain injuries in elite Australian rules football: Epidemiological features, muscles injured and return to play

Eccentric hamstring training in elite AFL athletes promotes improvements in lower limb strength

Introduction: In elite Australian Rules Football (AFL), hamstring strain injuries (HSI) are the most common cause of time lost from training and matches. Additionally, athletes with low levels of eccentric strength have been shown to be at a greater risk of HSI than stronger individuals. Recent research using various interventions to improve eccentric strength are limited in their application to the elite level due to their recreational cohorts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) and hip-based flywheel training on lower limb and eccentric knee flexor strength in elite Australian Footballers.

A video analysis of mechanisms of shoulder injuries in elite Australian Rules football

A video analysis of mechanisms of shoulder injuries in elite Australian Rules football