Evolution of Physical Demands of Australian Football League Matches from 2005 to 2017: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Abstract

Background There is extensive research investigating the match demands of players in the Australian Football League (AFL). Objective This systematic literature review and meta-regression sought to analyse the evolution of in-game demands in AFL matches from 2005 to 2017, focusing on the relationship between volume and intensity. Methods A systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Included studies examined the physical demands of AFL matches utilising global positioning system (GPS) technology. Meta-regression analysed the shift in reported volume (total distance and total match time) and intensity (metres per minute [m.min−1], sprint duration and acceleration) metrics for overall changes, across quarters and positional groups (forwards, nomadics and defenders) from 2005 to 2017 inclusive and for each year between 2005 and 2007, 2007 and 2010, 2010 and 2012, and 2012 and 2015/2017 breakpoints. Results Distance (p = 0.094), m.min−1 (p = 0.494), match time (p = 0.591), time over 18 km·h−1 (p = 0.271), and number of accelerations greater than 4 km·h−1 (p = 0.498) and 10 km·h−1 (p = 0.335) in 1 s did not change from 2005 to 2017. From 2005 to 2007 volume decreased (− 6.10 min of match time; p = 0.010) and intensity increased (6.8 m.min−1 increase; p = 0.023). Volume and intensity increased from 2007 to 2010, evidenced by increases in total distance (302 m; p = 0.039), time over 18 km·h−1 (0.31 min; p = 0.005), and number of accelerations greater than 4 km·h−1 (41.1; p = 0.004) and 10 km·h−1 (3.6; p = 0.005) in 1 s. From 2010 to 2012, intensity decreased, evidenced by reductions in metres per minute (− 4.3; p = 0.022), time over 18 km·h−1 (− 0.93 min; p < 0.001), and number of accelerations greater than 4 km·h−1 (− 104.4; p < 0.001) and 10 km·h−1 (− 8.3; p < 0.001) in 1 s, whilst volume stabilised with no changes in distance (p = 0.068) and match time (p = 0.443). From 2012 to 2015/2017 volume remained stable and intensity increased with time over 18 km·h−1 (0.27 min; p = 0.008) and number of accelerations greater than 4 km·h−1 (31.6; p = 0.016) in 1 s increasing. Conclusions Changes in volume and intensity of AFL match demands are defined by discrete periods from 2007 to 2010 and 2010 to 2012. The interaction of rule and interpretation changes and coaching strategies play a major role in these evolutionary changes. In turn, modified game styles impact player game demands, training, and selection priorities. Standardisation and uniformity of GPS data reporting is recommended due to inconsistencies in the literature.

Characterising lower-body musculoskeletal morphology and whole-body composition of elite female and male Australian Football players

“…Physical running demands of the AFL and AFLW are well documented [ 4 ], with the average elite male covering ~ 12 kms (km) per game at ~ 130 m per minute (m/min) [ 5 ] and the average elite female covering ~ 6 km per game at ~ 120 m/min [ 6 ]. Additionally, AFL players cover ~ 1800 m at speeds of or above 18 km/h [ 7 , 8 ] with AFLW players covering only ~ 370 m at the same threshold [ 9 ]. While these absolute differences are somewhat influenced by shorter match durations in AFLW, it is likely that elite female players have different physical attributes to their male counterparts in response to different competitive demands.…”

Video Analysis of Pectoralis Major Injuries in Professional Australian Football Players

“…Increases to the speed of the game, the time spent on field training, the size of players, and therefore the contact forces experienced during tackling may explain these findings. 14 , 31 In addition, the number of allowed player rotations during games has decreased, but the number of tackles that an AFL player makes during a match has almost doubled over the past 20 years. 4 , 14 This may result in increased fatigue of surrounding shoulder muscles and reduced neuromuscular control during match play.…”

“… 14 , 31 In addition, the number of allowed player rotations during games has decreased, but the number of tackles that an AFL player makes during a match has almost doubled over the past 20 years. 4 , 14 This may result in increased fatigue of surrounding shoulder muscles and reduced neuromuscular control during match play. 17 This phenomenon may result in an increase in the incidence of muscle strain injuries.…”

Physical and technical demands of offence, defence, and contested phases of play in Australian Football

“…The following GPS metrics were recorded: total running distance (m), high-speed running (HSR; > 18 km•h −1 ), accelerations (efforts > 3 m•s −2 ), and decelerations (efforts > 3 m•s −2 ). These thresholds were selected as they had been previously employed in AF populations [19][20][21]. The PlayerLoad ™ metric was considered due to its reported ability to also capture non-running events, however, due to its strong correlation (r = 0.93) with total distance [22], it was considered that findings relating to PlayerLoad ™ would mirror those of total distance, therefore adding no additional value to this study.…”