ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Elite Australian Football (AF) match-play requires proficiency in physical, technical, and tactical elements. However, when analysing player movement practitioners commonly exclude technical and tactical considerations, failing to recognise the multifactorial nature of AF match-play and providing little context into the movement requirements of the players. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to identify the physical, technical, and tactical requirements of the Australian Football League (AFL) and to highlight the importance of integrating data from multiple sources when analysing player output. METHODS: A systematic search of electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) was conducted from January 2009 to June 2022. Keywords relating to physical, technical, and tactical match requirements were used. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. In isolation, physical requirements were the most analysed construct within the AFL (n = 17), followed by technical (n = 9) and then tactical (n = 6). Thirteen studies integrated physical and technical elements, one study integrated technical and tactical elements, one study integrated physical and tactical elements, and one study integrated all three elements. Movement analysis centred around average 'whole' match requirements, whereas technical and tactical match analyses focused on key performance indicators of match performance. CONCLUSION: While the physical requirements of the AFL have been well documented, there is little understanding of how player technical output and various team tactics influence player movement requirements. Knowledge of how the elements of AF match-play interact with one another could enhance our understanding of match performance and provide a greater resource for training prescription.
ABSTRACT
Match activity analyses in Australian Football (AF) have provided information on the loads of match-play and identified contextual factors influencing physical activity. Match physical activity has been shown to be influenced by technical and tactical factors. This study examined the association of in-game contextual factors and technical involvements on the activity demands of elite AF players. Global positioning system data were recorded from 35 players in 13 matches throughout the 2019 Australian Football League (AFL) season. Technical involvements - player possession, and defensive pressure applied - were attained from Champion Data (AFL statistics provider), while possession phases and the commencing possession chain event were manually coded. Mixed models examined the influence possession chain contextual factors had on the total distance (TD) and high-speed running (HSR). During attacking phases, physical activity increased when a player had a possession, when a greater number of opposition players applied pressure, and when play was initiated from a turnover (p ≤ 0.001). During defensive phases, physical activity was greatest when an individual player applied pressure, however, also increased when the total number of players applying pressure increased and when play was initiated from a turnover or kick-in (p ≤ 0.001). Overall, this study combines the three constructs of AF performance (physical, technical and tactical) and demonstrates that TD and HSR demands are greatest in a chain when a player was directly involved in the play or applying pressure on the opposition.
Subject(s)
Athletic Performance , Running , Team Sports , AustraliaABSTRACT
Contemporary analysis of physical activity in Australian Football (AF) is typically presented as a total measure and independent of game context, which is not representative of how the game is played and/or assessed by coaches. This study examines the activity profile of individual possession chains and determines the influence that field position, initial chain state, and possession phase have on these activity characteristics in men's AF.Global positioning system data were attained from 35 players in 13 matches across the 2019 Australian Football League season. Matches were coded into different possession phases, initial field location of the ball, and initial chain state. Mixed models were built to observe the influence of field position and initial chain state for each possession phase.Less TD and HSR distance were covered during attacking chains in the forward 50 and attacking midfield, while defensive chains covered less TD and HSR in the defensive 50 and defensive midfield (p < 0.001). Significant main effects for possession phase and initial chain state were observed for TD and HSR. TD and HSR were higher during attacking chains, while chains beginning from a stoppage were lower than intercept and kick-ins (p < 0.001).Overall, the most intense moments of the game appear similar across all possession phases when field location is accounted for and that transitioning the ball quickly from the defensive end of the field results in greater physical activity. These findings can be used for prescription and monitoring of training drills specific to AF requirements.
