Professional Australian Rules Football Research Articles

A two-year examination of the relation between internal and external load and heart rate variability in Australian Rules Football

ABSTRACT The relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and training load in team-sport is unknown. We therefore assessed relations between completed training-load in the previous 1-, 3- and 7-days and waking HRV in professional Australian Rules Football. Linear-mixed models analysed changes in HRV, considering training load from the previous 1-, 3- and 7-days. Total Distance (TD), distance >14.4 km ‧ h−1 (HSR) and >24.9 km ‧ h−1 (Sprint-Distance), duration >85% max heart rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion were included as independent variables. Sub-group analysis of season-phase and years of professional experience was also conducted. Increased three-day Sprint-Distance reduced HRV in the first 8-weeks of pre-season (−13.1 ms, p = 0.03) and across the data collection period (−3.75 ms, p = 0.01). In first-year players, higher previous-day (−63.3 ms, p=0.04) and seven-day TD (−38.2 ms, p = 0.02) reduced HRV, whilst higher seven-day HSR increased HRV (34.5 ms, p = 0.01). In players with five-to-seven years of professional experience, higher three-day (−14.4 ms, p = 0.02) and seven-day TD (−15.7 ms, p = 0.01) reduced HRV, while higher three-day HSR increased HRV (12.5 ms, p = 0.04). In players with greater than eight years of professional experience, higher previous-day Sprint-Distance reduced HRV (−13.1 ms, p < 0.008). Completed training load across the previous 7-days influences HRV, but the relation between variables is complex and influenced by professional experience and season-phase.

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.

The Eye in the Sky—A Method to Obtain On-Field Locations of Australian Rules Football Athletes

The ability to overcome an opposition in team sports is reliant upon an understanding of the tactical behaviour of the opposing team members. Recent research is limited to a performance analysts’ own playing team members, as the required opposing team athletes’ geolocation (GPS) data are unavailable. However, in professional Australian rules Football (AF), animations of athlete GPS data from all teams are commercially available. The purpose of this technical study was to obtain the on-field location of AF athletes from animations of the 2019 Australian Football League season to enable the examination of the tactical behaviour of any team. The pre-trained object detection model YOLOv4 was fine-tuned to detect players, and a custom convolutional neural network was trained to track numbers in the animations. The object detection and the athlete tracking achieved an accuracy of 0.94 and 0.98, respectively. Subsequent scaling and translation coefficients were determined through solving an optimisation problem to transform the pixel coordinate positions of a tracked player number to field-relative Cartesian coordinates. The derived equations achieved an average Euclidean distance from the athletes’ raw GPS data of 2.63 m. The proposed athlete detection and tracking approach is a novel methodology to obtain the on-field positions of AF athletes in the absence of direct measures, which may be used for the analysis of opposition collective team behaviour and in the development of interactive play sketching AF tools.

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.

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

Effects ofStricter Management Guidelines on Return-to-Competition Timeframes Following Concussion in Professional Australian Rules Football: An Exploratory Analysis.

BackgroundManagement of concussion remains a serious issue for professional sports, particularly with the growing knowledge on the consequences of repetitive concussion. One primary concern is the subjective assessment of recovery that dictates the time until a concussed athlete is returned-to-competition. In response to this concern, the Australian Football League (AFL) changed its policy in 2020 such that medical clearance for return-to-competition was extended from 1 day, to a minimum of 5 days, prior to the next scheduled match.ObjectiveWe sought to explore the impact of the AFL policy change by asking whether time to return-to-competition after concussion was increased in the 2020 season relative to previous years.MethodsRetrospective data on injury and return-to-competition were sourced from publicly available tables published by the AFL. Our primary exploration compared the number of matches missed and the number of days missed in concussed players across 2017–2020 inclusive, with secondary exploration analysing the proportion of players returning to play 12 days or longer.ResultsAnalysis of data from 166 concussed players revealed no increase in the number of matches missed in 2020 relative to previous years as would have been expected from an extended recovery protocol. Comparing 2020 relative to 2017–2019, we found that there was an overall moderate reduction in median time to return-to-competition (RTC) in 2020 (10 vs 13 days, respectively d = − 0.345) and a significant reduction in players taking more than 12 days to RTC (p = 0.046).ConclusionThis exploratory study demonstrates that clubs may not have followed policy change around concussion management designed to increase time to RTC. Ongoing auditing is required to ensure player clearance meets policy goals, highlighting the need for objective measures for RTC after concussion.

Utilising one minute and four minute recovery when employing the resistance training contrast method does not negatively affect subsequent jump performance in the presence of concurrent training.

BackgroundLittle is known about contrast training and post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in a same day concurrent training model. The aim of the current study was to examine the use of two short duration (1-min and 4-min) recovery periods on drop jump performance in same day concurrently trained athletes.MethodsTen professional Australian Rules footballers (age, 20.6 ± 1.9 yr; height, 184.8 ± 6.9 cm; body mass, 85.8 ± 8.4 kg) completed two resistance training sessions with different PAPE recovery durations; 1-min and 4-min, 1 h following a field-based endurance session. Baseline (pre) drop jumps were compared to post-test maximal drop jumps, performed after each set of three squats (where each participant was encouraged to lift as heavy as they could), to determine changes between 1-min and 4-min recovery periods. Data were analysed by fitting a mixed model (significance was set at P ≤ 0.05). Corrected Hedges’ g standardised effect sizes ±95% confidence limits were calculated using group means ± SDs.ResultsThere were no significant differences between baseline and experimental sets 1, 2 and 3 for reactive strength index (RSI), flight time, and total and relative impulse for either recovery duration. However, for contact time, 1-min baseline was significantly different from set 2 (mean difference; 95% CI [0.029; 0.000–0.057 s], P = 0.047, ES; 95% CI [−0.27; −1.20 to 0.66]). For RSI and flight time, 1-min was significantly higher than 4-min (RSI: 0.367; 0.091 to 0.642, P = 0.010, ES; 95% CI [0.52; −0.37 to 1.42]; flight time: 0.033; 0.003 to 0.063 s, P = 0.027, ES; 95% CI [0.86; −0.06 to 1.78]).DiscussionShort recovery periods of 1-min may be a time-efficient form of prescribing strength-power exercise in contrast loading schemes. Longer recovery periods do not appear to benefit immediate, subsequent performance.

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.

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.

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.

Fifteen-week window for recurrent muscle strains in football: a prospective cohort of 3600 muscle strains over 23 years in professional Australian rules football

ObjectivesTo determine the rates of muscle strain injury recurrence over time after return to play in Australian football and to quantify risk factors.MethodsWe analysed Australian Football League player data from...

Greater Association of Relative Thresholds Than Absolute Thresholds With Noncontact Lower-Body Injury in Professional Australian Rules Footballers: Implications for Sprint Monitoring.

To examine the relationship between sprint workloads using relative versus absolute thresholds and lower-body soft-tissue and bone-stress injury incidence in professional Australian rules football. Fifty-three professional Australian rules football athletes' noncontact soft-tissue and bone-stress lower-body injuries (N = 62) were recorded, and sprint workloads were quantified over ∼18 months using the global positioning system. Sprint volume (m) and exposures (n) were determined using 2 methods: absolute (>24.9km·h-1) and relative (≥75%, ≥80%, ≥85%, ≥90%, ≥95% of maximal velocity). Relationships between threshold methods and injury incidence were assessed using logistic generalized additive models. Incidence rate ratios and model performances' area under the curve were reported. Mean (SD) maximal velocity for the group was 31.5 (1.4), range 28.6 to 34.9km·h-1. In comparing relative and absolute thresholds, 75% maximal velocity equated to ~1.5km·h-1 below the absolute speed threshold, while 80% and 85% maximal velocity were 0.1 and 1.7km·h-1 above the absolute speed threshold, respectively. Model area under the curve ranged from 0.48 to 0.61. Very low and very high cumulative sprint loads ≥80% across a 4-week period, when measured relatively, resulted in higher incidence rate ratios (2.54-3.29), than absolute thresholds (1.18-1.58). Monitoring sprinting volume relative to an athlete's maximal velocity should be incorporated into athlete monitoring systems. Specifically, quantifying the distance covered at >80% maximal velocity will ensure greater accuracy in determining sprint workloads and associated injury risk.

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.

Multifactorial Benchmarking of Longitudinal Player Performance in the Australian Football League.

This study aimed to develop a model to objectively benchmark professional Australian Rules football (AF) player performance based on age, experience, positional role and both draft type and round in the Australian Football League (AFL). The secondary aims were to identify the stage of peak performance and specific breakpoints in AF player performance longitudinally. AFL Player Ratings data were obtained for all players (n = 1052) from the 1034 matches played during the 2013–2017 seasons, along with data pertaining to the abovementioned player characteristics. Two separate linear mixed models revealed that all factors influenced player performance, with age and experience the strongest in each model, respectively. Post hoc Tukey tests indicated that performance was affected by age at each level up until the age of 21 (effect ranging from 0.98 to 3.70 rating points), and by experience at the levels 1–20 and 21–40 matches in comparison to all higher levels of experience (effect ranging from 1.01 to 3.77 rating points). Two segmented models indicated that a point of marginal gains exists within longitudinal performance progression between the age levels 22 and 23, and the experience levels 41–60 and 61–80 matches. Professional sporting organisations may apply the methods provided here to support decisions regarding player recruitment and development.

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.

Monitoring of In-Season Salivary Alpha Amylase Trends for Professional Australian Rules Footballers

Salivary Alpha Amylase has been considered a surrogate biomarker of autonomic nervous system, and may be considered useful to highlight periods of physiological fatigue in athletes. Novel lateral flow technology has allowed for rapid salivary assessment and offers an alternative practical method for monitoring salivary markers such as Alpha Amylase in AFL athletes throughout the in-season. Therefore, the present study aimed to (1) examine week-to-week and month-to-month variations in AFL athletes [sAA] throughout a 16 match period of the AFL in-season, and (2) examine the acute relationship between post-match measure of [sAA] and match-play exercise workloads. Twenty elite male Australian Rules Footballers (24.3 ± 4.2 years, 186.7 ± 7.3 cm, 87.6 ± 8.0 kg) were monitored throughout 16 in-season AFL matches for sAA taken 36-h post-match and exercise workloads (player load) using GPS IA. The present study utilized a linear mixed model analyses for time dependent changes in [sAA] and player load. A significant main effect was found for week-to-week analysis of 36-h post-match [sAA] (F (15, 36)=5.12, p<0.001) and for match-play player loads (F (15, 61)=2.33, p=0.011). Further a significant main effect (F (3 19)=11.88, p<0.001) was found for month-to-month changes in 36-h post-match [sAA]. Finally, high inter- (103%) and intra-subject (110 %) variation of [sAA] were found. The present study presents novel data of trends in 36-h post-match [sAA] for AFL athletes. Results demonstrated a significant changes in month-to-month 36-h post-match [sAA] peaking in the final month of the study. Month-to-month analysis of [sAA] may highlight an accumulative SNS fatigue effect throughout the AFL in-season, however results on a week-to-week basis need to be analysed with caution given the high levels of intra- and inter-subject variation.

Early unprotected return to contact sport after metacarpal fixation in professional athletes.

To determine whether an early return to sport in professional Australian Rules Football players after fixation of a non-thumb metacarpal fracture was safe and effective. A total of 16 patients with a mean age of 25 years (19 to 30) identified as having a non-thumb metacarpal fracture underwent open reduction and internal plate and screw fixation. We compared the players' professional performance statistics before and after the injury to determine whether there was any deterioration in their post-operative performance. Of the 16, 12 sustained their fracture during the season: their mean time to return to unrestricted professional play was two weeks (1 to 5). All except two of the 48 player performance variables showed no reduction in performance post-operatively. Our data suggest that professional athletes who sustained a non-thumb metacarpal fracture can safely return to professional play without restriction two weeks after internal fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1343-7.

Interchange rotation factors and player characteristics influence physical and technical performance in professional Australian Rules football

ObjectivesTo examine the effects of match-related and individual player characteristics on activity profile and technical performance during rotations in professional Australian football. DesignLongitudinal observational study. MethodsGlobal positioning system data and player rating scores were collected from 33 professional Australian football players during 15 Australian football League matches. Player rating scores were time aligned with their relative total and high-speed running (HSR) distance (>20kmh−1) for each on ground rotation. Individual players’ maximal aerobic running speed (MAS) was determined from a two-kilometre trial. A multilevel linear mixed model was used to examine the influence of rotations on physical activity profiles and skill execution during match play. ResultsRotation duration and accumulated distance resulted in a trivial-to-moderate reduction in relative total and HSR distances as well as relative rating points. The number of disposals in a rotation had a small positive effect on relative total and HSR distances and a large positive effect on relative rating points. MAS was associated with a moderate-to-large increase in relative total distance, but had a large negative effect on relative rating points. Previous rotation time, stoppages and the number of rotations in the quarter had a trivial-to-small negative effect on relative total and HSR distances. A greater speed (mmin−1) was associated with a trivial increase in rating points during a rotation, while there was a trivial decrease in relative total distance as rating points increased. ConclusionThe complex relationship between factors that influence activity profile and technical performance during rotations in Australian football needs to be considered when interpreting match performance.

Controlling the Message and the Medium?

Sports organisations’ recently acquired ability to deliver their own news—through social and digital platforms—represents a potential paradigm shift in the once symbiotic relationship between sports organisations and the media that cover them. While sports organisations once needed the media to deliver their messages, they now have their own media. This study examined the impact of sports digital and social platforms, such as websites, Twitter and Facebook, on sports journalism through 37 interviews with public relations staff in Australian sports organisations and one targeted case study in a professional Australian Rules Football club competing in the Australian Football League (AFL) in Australia. It found that while public relations staff in Australian sports organisations still value traditional media coverage, they also signalled that their own platforms were increasing in value as distribution channels. The case study of the professional AFL club found that the club selectively chose to distribute some stories on their own platforms instead of through traditional media. These stories were not simply delivered on the club’s own platforms, but the public relations staff actively framed the narrative of these stories for strategic benefit. These results have significant implications for sports journalism, as it suggests the rapid development of sports organisations’ social and digital media platforms has the potential to irrevocably alter the once symbiotic relationship between sport and media.

Quantification of Training Load During Return to Play After Upper- and Lower-Body Injury in Australian Rules Football.

Training volume, intensity, and distribution are important factors during periods of return to play. To quantify the effect of injury on training load (TL) before and after return to play (RTP) in professional Australian Rules football. Perceived training load (RPE-TL) for 44 players was obtained for all indoor and outdoor training sessions, while field-based training was monitored via GPS (total distance, high-speed running, mean speed). When a player sustained a competition time-loss injury, weekly TL was quantified for 3 wk before and after RTP. General linear mixed models, with inference about magnitudes standardized by between-players SDs, were used to quantify effects of lower- and upper-body injury on TL compared with the team. While total RPE-TL was similar to the team 2 wk before RTP, training distribution was different, whereby skills RPE-TL was likely and most likely lower for upper- and lower-body injury, respectively, and most likely replaced with small to very large increases in running and other conditioning load. Weekly total distance and high-speed running were most likely moderately to largely reduced for lower- and upper-body injury until after RTP, at which point total RPE-TL, training distribution, total distance, and high-speed running were similar to the team. Mean speed of field-based training was similar before and after RTP compared with the team. Despite injured athletes' obtaining comparable TLs to uninjured players, training distribution is different until after RTP, indicating the importance of monitoring all types of training that athletes complete.