Professional Australian Football Players Research Articles

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

An observational study of player behaviours under varying task constraints in professional Australian football players

An evaluation of player behaviour and performance across different playing conditions in team sport is difficult. This study examined integrative (indegree and outdegree importance) and individual (goals, kicks, handballs, marks, tackles, kick and handball proficiency) level behaviours at one professional Australian Football club across three different conditions: small-sided games (SSGs), match simulation and competitive Australian Football League (AFL) matches. Estimated marginal means identified negligible changes for integrative measures across conditions. This may suggest larger changes to control parameters are required to modify these behaviours, as it relies on interdependent cooperative behaviour. Individual level behaviours demonstrated varied responses across changing conditions. AFL matches revealed the lowest kicks and marks per minute compared to the other conditions, whilst having the highest rate of tackles. Players had lower kick proficiency in conditions with a higher number of players. Moreover, one SSG with a floater (player who participates in attack for both teams) elicited a higher number of handballs per minute relative to every other condition. These findings provide implications for measuring the (in)stability of individual and integrative level behaviours and how changes to constraints may alter these metrics. This method may provide a foundation for future hypotheses testing and for player monitoring that can assist practitioners to examine the changes in players behaviours in response to changing constraints.

Associations between hamstring strain and knee ligament injuries with isometric trunk and hip strength and morphology in professional Australian rules football and rugby league players

Associations between hamstring strain and knee ligament injuries with isometric trunk and hip strength and morphology in professional Australian rules football and rugby league players

Evaluating the influence of a constraint manipulation on technical, tactical and physical athlete behaviour.

Evaluating practice design is an important component of supporting skill acquisition and improving team-sport performance. Constraint manipulations, including creating a numerical advantage or disadvantage during training, may be implemented by coaches to influence aspects of player or team behaviour. This study presents methods to evaluate the interaction between technical, tactical and physical behaviours of professional Australian Football players during numerical advantage and disadvantage conditions within a small-sided game. During each repetition of the game, team behaviour was manually annotated to determine: repetition duration, disposal speed, total disposals, efficiency, and disposal type. Global Positioning System devices were used to quantify tactical (surface area) and physical (velocity and high intensity running) variables. A rule association and classification tree analysis were undertaken. The top five rules for each constraint manipulation had confidence levels between 73.3% and 100%, which identified the most frequent behaviour interactions. Specifically, four advantage rules involved high surface area and medium high intensity running indicating the attacking team's frequent movement solution within this constraint. The classification tree included three behaviour metrics: surface area, velocity 1SD and repetition duration, and identified two unique movement solutions for each constraint manipulation. These results may inform if player behaviour is achieving the desired outcomes of a constraint manipulation, which could help practitioners determine the efficacy of a training task. Further, critical constraint values provided by the models may guide practitioners in their ongoing constraint manipulations to facilitate skill acquisition. Sport practitioners can adapt these methods to evaluate constraint manipulations and inform practice design.

Video Analysis of Pectoralis Major Injuries in Professional Australian Football Players.

Background:There is little evidence regarding the mechanisms of pectoralis major (PM) injury and player outcomes in Australian Football League (AFL) players.Purposes/Hypothesis:The study aims were to investigate (1) the mechanisms of PM muscle injury in elite AFL players via video analysis and (2) the player profile, method of management, and clinical outcomes of the PM injuries sustained. We hypothesized that the majority of PM tears would occur in outer-range PM positions (hyperextension of the glenohumeral joint).Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:We analyzed video of the precipitating event for traumatic PM injuries during AFL competition or training over a 20-year period (2002-2021). The footage was analyzed by 4 experienced assessors, and the following were evaluated: mechanism of injury, injury variables (arm position, initial contact point, visual awareness, and use of taping), player characteristics (age at the time of injury, hand dominance, and history of injury), injury profile (location and size of tear), method of management (operative vs nonoperative), patient outcomes (time to return to full senior training/match play), and complication rates.Results:The mean ± standard deviation age of the players was 26.5 ± 3.1 years (range, 21-32 years). Overall, 22 PM injuries were identified in the AFL injury database for a rate of 1.1 per year; 16 of these injuries had accompanying video footage. We identified 3 mechanisms for PM injury: horizontal hyperextension (62.5%), hyperflexion-abduction (25.0%), and horizontal adduction (sustained tackling; 12.5%). The most common site of the tear was the insertion point of the sternocostal head (91.0%). Twenty players (91.0%) required surgical repair, with 75% undergoing surgery within 1 week (range, 0-26 weeks). The mean return to competition for the surgical repair group was 11.1 weeks (range, 8-15 weeks). The rerupture rate was 5.0% (1 repair; <4 weeks postoperatively in 2004).Conclusion:PM tears in elite male AFL players were due to 1 of 3 distinct mechanisms: horizontal hyperextension, hyperflexion-abduction, and horizontal adduction (sustained tackling). Players returned to play on average 11 weeks after injury. Knowledge regarding mechanisms of injury, player profile, and return-to-sport timelines is important for appropriate medical management and provides potential areas to target for prevention of PM injuries.

Predicting Noncontact Lower Limb Injury Using Lumbar Morphology in Professional Australian Football and Rugby League Players.

Noncontact lower limb injuries are common within the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL). Smaller (<8.5 cm2) lumbar multifidus at the fifth vertebra (LM L5) and larger (>8.2 cm2) quadratus lumborum (QL) cross-sectional area (CSA) have been associated with increased noncontact lower limb injury risk in AFL players. These associations have not been explored in an NRL cohort. This study will attempt to replicate previous research findings by confirming that muscle morphology is associated with noncontact lower limb injury. AFL (n = 87) and NRL (n = 151) players underwent LM L2-L5 and QL CSA ultrasound measures during preseason. Each club's medical staff reported all noncontact lower limb injuries sustained in the subsequent regular season. LM and QL CSA, age, body mass index, and noncontact lower limb injuries were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Seventy-two players sustained a noncontact lower limb injury in the 2020 regular season (AFL = 21, NRL = 51). The multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.85; P = 0.038) identified AFL players with larger QL CSA at increased risk of sustaining a noncontact lower limb injury during the regular season, but no relationship was found for LM CSA and noncontact lower limb injuries in the AFL (OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.36-2.78; P = 0.591) or NRL (OR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.29-1.33; P = 0.149). AFL players who sustained regular season noncontact lower limb injuries had larger QL CSA in preseason tests. No significant associations between either LM L5 CSA or LM L5 to QL ratio and regular season noncontact lower limb injuries were found.

A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Influencing the Dietary Intakes of Professional Australian Football Players.

(1) Background: Many professional Australian Football (AF) players do not meet recommended sports nutrition guidelines despite having access to nutrition advice. There are a range of factors that can influence players′ ability to meet their nutrition goals and awareness of the barriers players face is essential to ensure that dietary advice translates into practice. Therefore, this qualitative research study aimed to explore the factors influencing AF players’ dietary intakes and food choice. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve professional male AF players. (3) Results: Less experienced players restricted their carbohydrate intake to meet body composition goals, particularly during preseason and surrounding body composition assessment. During the competition season players had a greater focus on performance and placed more emphasis on carbohydrate intake in the lead up to matches. Players felt nutrition goals were easier to achieve when dietary choices were supported by their families and peers. One-on-one consultations provided by a sports dietitian were players′ preferred mode of nutrition intervention. Individualized nutrition advice is required for less experienced AF players who may be vulnerable to unsustainable dietary habits. Experienced AF players can support junior teammates by promoting positive team culture related to body composition, nutrition and performance.

Determination of locomotor qualities in elite Australian Football: A pragmatic approach

ABSTRACT The study examined the utility of surrogate measures of athletic performance to determine locomotor qualities (maximal aerobic velocity and peak velocity) in elite Australian Football (AF). 29 professional AF players undertook aerobic fitness (3km time-trial [TT] and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test [30–15 IFT]) and peak velocity (PV; 50 m maximal sprints using 10Hz GPS) assessments in pre-season. Characteristics of TT performance (mean velocity, 500m and 1km splits) were compared with a surrogate for maximal aerobic velocity (MAV; 80% of 30–15 IFT final velocity). PVs derived from sprint tests were compared to those attained in AF matches (10 Hz GPS). Higher Pearson correlations were observed between MAV versus the fastest 500m (r = 0.74) and 1km (r = 0.75) of the 3km TT, but they were not superior to mean velocity (r = 0.72; p ≥ 0.30) which also demonstrated the lowest bias (p ≤ 0.01) and equivalent typical errors (0.16–0.17 m.s−1). Peak velocity was higher across match observations (0.28, CI: ± 0.17 m.s −1, p = 0.017) versus sprint tests. There was no impact of playing position on the determination of locomotor qualities using surrogate measures of locomotor qualities. Locomotor qualities can be determined practically using 10Hz GPS devices during 3km time-trials and competitive matches (assuming appropriate signal quality), without additional fitness assessments.

Career Performance Trajectories of Professional Australian Football Players.

To develop position-specific career performance trajectories and determine the age of peak performance of professional Australian Football players. Match performance data (Australian Football League [AFL] Player Rank) were collected for Australian Football players drafted via the AFL National Draft between 1999 and 2015 (N = 207). Players were subdivided into playing positions: forwards (n = 60; age 23 [3]y), defenders (n = 71; age 24 [4]y), midfielders (n = 58; age 24 [4]y), and ruckmen (n = 18; age 24 [3]y). Linear mixed models were fitted to the data to estimate individual career trajectories. Forwards, midfielders, and defenders experienced peak match performance earlier than ruckmen (24-25 vs 27y). Midfielders demonstrated the greatest between-subjects variability (intercept 0.580, age 0.0286) in comparison with ruckmen, who demonstrated the least variability (intercept 0.112, age 0.005) in AFL Player Rank throughout their careers. Age had the greatest influence on the career trajectory of midfielders (β [SE] = 0.226 [0.025], T = 9.10, P < .01) and the least effect on ruckmen (β [SE] = 0.114 [0.049], T = 2.30, P = .02). Professional Australian Football players peak in match performance between 24 and 27years of age with age, having the greatest influence on the match performance of midfielders and the least on ruckmen.

Effect of Individual Environmental Heat-Stress Variables on Training and Recovery in Professional Team Sport.

Exercise in hot environments increases body temperature and thermoregulatory strain. However, little is known regarding the magnitude of effect that ambient temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), and solar radiation individually have on team-sport athletes. To determine the effect of these individual heat-stress variables on team-sport training performance and recovery. Professional Australian Rules Football players (N = 45) undertook 8-wk preseason training producing a total of 579 outdoor field-based observations with Ta, RH, and solar radiation recorded at every training session. External load (distance covered, in m/min; percentage high-speed running [%HSR] >14.4km/h) was collected via a global positioning system. Internal load (ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate) and recovery (subjective ratings of well-being and heart-rate variability [root mean square of the successive differences]) were monitored throughout the training period. Mixed-effects linear models analyzed relationships between variables using standardized regression coefficients. Increased solar-radiation exposure was associated with reduced distance covered (-19.7m/min, P < .001), %HSR (-10%, P < .001) during training and rMSSD 48 h posttraining (-16.9ms, P = .019). Greater RH was associated with decreased %HSR (-3.4%, P = .010) but increased percentage duration >85% HRmax (3.9%, P < .001), ratings of perceived exertion (1.8AU, P < .001), and self-reported stress 24 h posttraining (-0.11AU, P = .002). In contrast, higher Ta was associated with increased distance covered (19.7m/min, P < .001) and %HSR (3.5%, P = .005). The authors show the importance of considering the individual factors contributing to thermal load in isolation for team-sport athletes and that solar radiation and RH reduce work capacity during team-sport training and have the potential to slow recovery between sessions.

An Investigation of Factors Associated With Head Impact Exposure in Professional Male and Female Australian Football Players

Background: Exposure to head acceleration events (HAEs) has been associated with player sex, player position, and player experience in North American football, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Little is known of these factors in professional Australian football. Video analysis allows HAE verification and characterization of important determinants of injury. Purpose: To characterize verified HAEs in the nonhelmeted contact sport of professional Australian football and investigate the association of sex, player position, and player experience with HAE frequency and magnitude. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Professional Australian football players wore a nonhelmeted accelerometer for 1 match, with data collected across 14 matches. HAEs with peak linear accelerations (PLAs) ≥30g were verified with match video. Verified HAEs were summarized by frequency and median PLA and compared between the sexes, player position, and player experience. Characterization of match-related situations of verified HAEs was conducted, and the head impact rate per skill execution was calculated. Results: 92 male and 118 female players were recruited during the 2017 season. Male players sustained more HAEs (median, 1; IQR, 0-2) than female players (median, 0; IQR, 0-1; P = .007) during a match. The maximum PLAs incurred during a match were significantly higher in male players (median, 61.8g; IQR, 40.5-87.1) compared with female players (median, 44.5g; IQR, 33.6-74.8; P = .032). Neither player position nor experience was associated with HAE frequency. Of all verified HAEs, 52% (n = 110) occurred when neither team had possession of the football, and 46% (n = 98) were caused by contact from another player attempting to gain possession of the football. A subset of HAEs (n = 12; 5.7%) resulted in players seeking medical aid and/or being removed from the match (median PLA, 58.8g; IQR, 34.0-89.0), with 2 (male) players diagnosed with concussion after direct head impacts and associated PLAs of 62g and 75g, respectively. In the setting of catching (marking) the football, female players exhibited twice the head impact rate (16 per 100 marking contests) than male players (8 per 100 marking contests). Conclusion: Playing situations in which players have limited control of the football are a common cause of impacts. Male players sustained a greater exposure to HAEs compared with female players. Female players, however, sustained higher exposure to HAEs than male players during certain skill executions, possibly reflecting differences in skill development. These findings can therefore inform match and skill development in the emerging professional women’s competition of Australian football.

The potential of head acceleration measurement to augment current best practice in concussion screening in professional Australian football players

ObjectiveTo explore the potential utility of head acceleration event (HAE) measurements to augment identification of players for further concussion screening in non-helmeted contact sport. DesignProspective observational pilot study. Participants210 (118 female) professional Australian football players in 2017 season. MethodsPlayers wore the X-Patch® accelerometer for one match each with data collected across 14 matches. Players with HAEs above thresholds associated with concussion, 95 g (males) or 85.5 g (females), were compared to players identified to have suspected concussion by club personnel during the inspected matches. Video review of matches was undertaken by a physician blinded to HAEs to identify players with concussive signs. ResultsAmong 26 players (50% female) with HAEs above threshold, two players were screened for concussion. Of the remaining 24 players, nine were not visible on video at the HAE time, six sustained verifiable head impacts, and nine sustained verifiable body impacts with no head impacts. Among 184 players with HAEs below threshold, five players were screened. ConclusionPlayers were identified to have head impacts and suspected concussion in the absence of HAEs above threshold. Use of X-Patch® was not sufficiently reliable for identifying players for further concussion screening in professional Australian football. Video review of head impacts remains essential in concussion screening.

Does a recent hamstring muscle injury affect the timing of muscle activation during high speed overground running in professional Australian Football players?

ObjectivesTo investigate if the temporal characteristics of hamstring and gluteal muscle activation are altered during high speed overground running in professional Australian Football players following hamstring muscle injury. DesignCohort study. SettingField-based testing. ParticipantsElite professional Australian Football players who had sustained a hamstring muscle injury in the six months prior to testing (n = 7) and a group of players from the same club who had no history of hamstring muscle injury (n = 8). Main outcome measuresMuscle onset timing, muscle offset timing and muscle onset duration of the medial hamstrings, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles during high-speed running using electromyographic data. ResultsNo significant differences in any of the temporal aspects of muscle activation were found between groups for any of the muscles tested (p > 0.05). ConclusionsPersistent alterations to the timing of muscle activation following hamstring muscle injury that have been reported in recreational athletes were not observed during high speed running in professional athletes who have completed comprehensive rehabilitation programs.

The Effects of Endurance-Based Skills-Specific Running Loads on Same-Day Resistance-Training Performance in Professional Australian Rules Football Players.

To examine the effect of prior skills/endurance training and different recovery time periods on subsequent same-day RT performance in professional Australian football players. Sport-specific endurance-running loads (duration [in minutes], total distance [in meters], mean speed [in meters per minute], high-speed running >15km·h-1, and relative high-speed running [>75% and >85% of maximal velocity]) were obtained for 46 professional Australian football players for each training session across an entire competitive season. RT was prescribed in 3 weekly mesocycles with tonnage (in kilograms) lifted recorded as RT performance. Endurance and RT sessions were interspersed by different recovery durations: ∼20min and 1, 2, and 3h. Fixed- and mixed-effect linear models assessed the influence of skills/endurance-running loads on RT performance. Models also accounted for season period (preseason vs in-season) and recovery duration between concurrent training bouts. An increase in high-speed running and distance covered >75% and >85% of maximal velocity had the greatest reductions on RT performance. In-season total distance covered displayed greater negative effects on subsequent RT performance compared with preseason, while ∼20-min recovery between skills/endurance and RT was associated with greater reductions in RT performance, compared with 1-, 2-, and 3-h recovery. Sport-specific endurance-running loads negatively affect subsequent same-day RT performance, and this effect is greater in-season and with shorter recovery durations between bouts.

The efficacy of talent selection criteria in the Australian Football League

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the association between talent selection criteria, draft order and match performance in professional Australian Football players. Physical performance results from the Australian Football League (AFL) National Draft combine and non-performance based talent selection criteria were collated for all players drafted in the National Draft with selections 1–80 between 2003 and 2008 (n = 318). Match performance was assessed via the AFL Player Ranking metric that was provided by a commercial statistical provider (Champion Data Pty Ltd). A combination of stepwise multiple regression and linear mixed model analyses examined the influence of National Draft combine physical performance assessments and non-performance based talent selection criteria on draft order and future match performance. Earlier draft selection was associated with Under-18 all Australian team selection, height, Under-18 National Championship participation and indigenous status. The 20 m sprint and state of origin were associated with later draft selection. Under-18 all Australian team selection increased both Player Ranking/game and total Player Ranking. Under-18 all Australian team selection displays efficacy for selecting players with the potential for success.

Measurement Characteristics of Athlete Monitoring Tools in Professional Australian Football.

To examine the measurement reliability and sensitivity of common athlete monitoring tools in professional Australian Football players. Test-retest reliability (noise) and weekly variation (signal) data were collected from 42 professional Australian footballers from 1 club during a competition season. Perceptual wellness was measured via questionnaires completed before main training sessions (48, 72, and 96h postmatch), with players providing a rating (1-5 Likert scale) regarding their muscle soreness, sleep quality, fatigue level, stress, and motivation. Eccentric hamstring force and countermovement jumps were assessed via proprietary systems once per week. Heart rate recovery was assessed via a standard submaximal run test on a grass-covered field with players wearing a heart rate monitor. The heart rate recovery was calculated by subtracting average heart rate during final 10 seconds of rest from average heart rate during final 30 seconds of exercise. Typical test error was reported as coefficient of variation percentage (CV%) and intraclass coefficients. Sensitivity was calculated by dividing weekly CV% by test CV% to produce a signal to noise ratio. All measures displayed acceptable sensitivity. Signal to noise ratio ranged from 1.3 to 11.1. Intraclass coefficients ranged from .30 to .97 for all measures. The heart rate recovery test, countermovement jump test, eccentric hamstring force test, and perceptual wellness all possess acceptable measurement sensitivity. Signal to noise ratio analysis is a novel method of assessing measurement characteristics of monitoring tools. These data can be used by coaches and scientists to identify meaningful changes in common measures of fitness and fatigue in professional Australian football.

When is early return too early? Clavicle plate fixation in Australian Rules football athletes: A retrospective review of cases

Background: We retrospectively reviewed return to sport times and results for a series of professional Australian Rules football (AFL) players after clavicle fracture management using a precurved Titanium (Acumed) plate and screws. We allowed very early use and aimed to assess if this construct is strong enough to withstand collision sport activities before radiological union is confirmed. Methods: We reviewed 14 consecutive senior listed AFL players who underwent plate fixation by the senior author over a 10 year period. Outcome measures were taken between 12 and 36 months post operatively and included time to return to play, Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score. Results: The median time for return to training was 3.5 weeks and 6 weeks for return to full competition. All fractures eventually united. Three of the players that returned before 6 weeks post-operatively suffered significant impacts that caused a bend in the titanium plates. One of these required revision fixation surgically due to perceived weakness in the bent plate construct and cosmetic deformity. The mean Nottingham Clavicle Score and Oxford Shoulder Score were 87.9 and 45.1 points respectively. Survival analysis showed that more than half of the players returned to training at 4 weeks and over 80% at 12 weeks. Discussion: The decision to operate early on AFL players who suffered a clavicle fracture in competition play resulted in excellent longterm results. However, the decision to return some players earlier than accepted times for bony union resulted in bending of plates in a significant number, and the risk of further injury must be weighed up in a collision sport. The early return to play time had no adverse effects on performance and participant satisfaction was high, as reflected by the Nottingham Clavicle score and the Oxford shoulder score.

Comparison of a Countermovement Jump Test and Submaximal Run Test to Quantify the Sensitivity for Detecting Practically Important Changes Within High-Performance Australian Rules Football.

To determine the typical variation of variables from a countermovement jump (CMJ) test and a submaximal run test (SRT), along with comparing the sensitivity of each test for the detection of practically important changes within high-performance Australian rules football players. A total of 23 professional and semiprofessional Australian rules football players performed 6 CMJs and three 8-second 50-m runs every 30 seconds (SRT), 7 days apart. Absolute and trial-to-trial reliability was represented as a coefficient of variation, CV (±90% confidence intervals). Test-retest reliability was examined using the magnitude of the difference (effect size [±90% confidence interval]) from week 1 to week 2. The smallest worthwhile change was calculated as 0.25 × SD. Good reliability (CVs = 6.6%-9.3%) was determined for all variables except eccentric displacement (CV = 12.8%), with no clear changes observed in any variables between week 1 and week 2. All variables from the SRT possessed a CV less than smallest worthwhile change, indicating an ability to detect practically important changes in performance. Only peak velocity from the CMJ test possessed a CV less than smallest worthwhile change, exhibiting a limitation of this test in detecting practically meaningful changes within this environment. The results suggest that while all variables possess acceptable reliability, a SRT might offer to be a more sensitive monitoring tool than a CMJ test within high-performance Australian rules football, due to its greater ability for detecting practically important changes in performance.

Functional Basis of Asymmetrical Lower-Body Skeletal Morphology in Professional Australian Rules Footballers.

Hart, NH, Newton, RU, Weber, J, Spiteri, T, Rantalainen, T, Dobbin, M, Chivers, P, and Nimphius, S. Functional basis of asymmetrical lower-body skeletal morphology in elite Australian footballers. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 791-799, 2020-Bone strength is a product of its material and structural properties and is highly responsive to mechanical load. Given the measureable and adaptable features of bone, and thus relevance to medical screening, injury prevention, and injury management in athletes, this study describes the lower-body skeletal morphology of professional Australian rules footballers. Using a cross-sectional and quantitative study design, 54 professional Australian rules football players (n = 54; age: 22.4 ± 3.8 years; height: 189.0 ± 7.5 cm; body mass: 86.0 ± 8.6 kg; tibial length: 436.1 ± 29.2 mm; and body fat: 9.9 ± 1.7%) underwent tibiofibular peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans for the kicking and support limbs, and a whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. The support leg was significantly stronger than the kicking leg (bone strength: p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.47) with significantly greater bone mass (p < 0.001; d = 0.28), cross-sectional areas (p ≤ 0.002; d = 0.20), and greater cortex thickness (p = 0.017; d = 0.20), owing to significantly greater periosteal apposition (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.29) and endocortical expansion (p = 0.019; d = 0.13), despite significantly lower cortical density (p = 0.002; d = -0.25). Disparate skeletal morphology between limbs highlights context-specific adaptive responses to mechanical loads experienced during game-based tasks. Practitioners should concomitantly measure material and structural properties of musculoskeletal tissue when examining fragility or resilience to better inform medical screening, monitoring, and injury risk stratification. Support leg axial loading highlights a potential avenue for interventions aiming to remediate or optimize bone cross-sectional area.

The influence of pre-season training loads on in-season match activities in professional Australian football players

ABSTRACTObjectives: To determine the impact of pre-season training loads on in-season match activity profiles in professional Australian football (AF) players.Methods: Forty-four professional AF players participated in this study. Sixty-nine pre-season training and in-season match profiles were monitored using global positioning system (GPS) microtechnology and technical statistics across two seasons. Technical performance was measured as the Player Rank score provided by Champion Data. Players were divided into three equal training load groups based on total distance accumulated during pre-season.Results: Players in the high training load (HTL) group performed more relative total and high-speed distance in matches compared with the moderate (MTL; ES = 0.73–0.86) and low (LTL; ES = 0.68–1.31) training load groups, with the differences becoming greater as the season progressed. There were no clear differences in Player Rank score between groups. There were positive relationships between pre-season high-speed running and match relative distance (p = 0.001; r = 0.417; r2 = 0.174) and match relative high-speed running (p = 0.001; r = 0.561; r2 = 0.314), which were greatest in the HTL group.Conclusions: High pre-season training loads are associated with increased physical match activities, but do not appear to impact technical performance.