Common high-speed running thresholds likely do not correspond to high-speed running in field sports
- Authors: Freeman, Brock , Talpey, Scott , James, Lachlan , Opar, David , Young, Warren
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 37, no. 7 (2023), p. 1411-1418
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this study was to clarify what percentage of maximum speed is associated with various running gaits. Fifteen amateur field sport athletes (age = 23 ± 3.6 years) participated in a series of 55-meter running trials. The speed of each trial was determined by instructions relating to 5 previously identified gait patterns (jog, run, stride, near maximum sprint, and sprint). Each trial was filmed in slow motion (240 fps), whereas running speed was obtained using Global Positioning Systems. Contact time, stride angle, and midstance free-leg knee angle were determined from video footage. Running gaits corresponded with the following running speeds, jogging = 4.51 m·s-1, 56%Vmax, running = 5.41 m·s-1, 66%Vmax,striding = 6.37 m·s-1, 78%Vmax, near maximum sprinting = 7.08 m·s-1, 87%Vmax, and sprinting = 8.15 m·s-1, 100%Vmax. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in stride angle were observed as running speed increased. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases were observed in contact time and midstance free-leg knee angle as running speed increased. These findings suggest currently used thresholds for high-speed running (HSR) and sprinting most likely correspond with jogging and striding, which likely underestimates the true HSR demands. Therefore, a higher relative speed could be used to describe HSR and sprinting more accurately in field sports. © 2023 NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association. All rights reserved.
Strength classification and diagnosis : not all strength is created equal
- Authors: James, Lachlan , Talpey, Scott , Young, Warren , Geneau, Mary , Newton, Robert , Gastin, Paul
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Strength and Conditioning Journal Vol. 45, no. 3 (2023), p. 333-341
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Maximal force can be expressed across a range of conditions influenced by the external load and the time available to express force. As a result, several distinct and specific strength qualities exist. Conversely, some expressions of maximal force are similar and can be categorized as a single quality. Therefore, strength assessment systems must be sophisticated enough to isolate and measure each quality while minimizing redundant information. This article presents a contemporary, evidence-based and practical framework that reduces the many strength and speed-strength metrics into 5 distinct qualities. Alongside this, we present case examples of the application of strength diagnosis. © 2023 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
The agility demands of Australian football : a notational analysis
- Authors: Rayner, Russell , Young, Warren , Talpey, Scott
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport Vol. 22, no. 4 (2022), p. 621-637
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Agility is essential to success in Australian football (AF). However, the nature of agility events in competition is currently unknown. This study analysed in-game 1v1 agility events to identify the movement and cognitive demands of agility in elite AF. The study described the technique, the angle of change of direction (COD), and the approach speed. Cognitive demands were inferred by recording inter-athlete position and deceptive manoeuvres. Findings revealed sidestepping to be commonly used for both attacking and defending athletes. However, attacking athletes were substantially more likely to use the sidestep technique than their defending counterparts (74% vs 39% of the time). Analysis of movement speeds indicated a preference for submaximal approaches. Further, the movement technique was varied, with the angle of directional change particularly diverse. Overall, the notational analysis indicates a need for agility training and testing that reflects in-game agility demands. To achieve this, training and testing must allow for submaximal movement speeds, context-specific techniques, and the use of deceptive manoeuvres. Field-based or subjective assessment methods are proposed as viable testing alternatives. Further, the effectiveness of recorded deceptive actions suggests that athletes should be provided with training opportunities to practice fake disposals and fake CODs. © 2022 Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Effect of intention to squat explosively on acute countermovement jump performance
- Authors: O'Grady, Mathew , Young, Warren , Behm, David , Talpey, Scott
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 35, no. 12 (2021), p. 3348-3354
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Effect of intention to squat explosively on acute countermovement jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3348-3354, 2021 - The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of squatting with the intention of moving the bar as fast as possible during the ascent phase on potentiating countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Fourteen recreationally resistance-trained men (age = 22.1 ± 1.7 years, height = 179.9 ± 4.2 cm, body mass = 83.8 ± 6.6 kg) with a predicted 1 repetition maximum half-squat of 201.0 ± 27.8 kg participated in this study. Subjects performed 3 CMJs before and then 4 and 8 minutes after a squat conditioning activity (CA). Conditions were randomized. For 1 condition, the CA involved subjects performing 4 repetitions of the half-squat with a 5RM load in a controlled manner (CON) at a self-selected normal squatting tempo. In the other condition, subjects used the same number of repetitions and load; however, they were instructed to move the bar up as fast as possible during the concentric phase of the half-squat (VMAX). Half-squat peak force (N), peak power (W), peak velocity (m·s-1), and rate of force development (RFD) were measured for each CA using a force platform and linear position transducer. At 4 and 8 minutes post-CA, CMJ height, relative peak power, peak velocity, and peak force were also measured. Despite there being significant increases in the half-squat peak power, peak velocity and maximum RFD in the VMAX condition, neither condition significantly improved any post-CMJ variable. Some small improvements in jump height were observed in certain individuals after the VMAX condition, suggesting that an explosive half-squat CA may potentiate CMJ performance in certain individuals. © 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
From the field- program outline : development of a speed program for elite junior Australian Rules Football Players
- Authors: Young, Warren , Carr, Sam , Freeman, Brock
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Journal Of Australian Strength And Conditioning, JASC Vol. 29, no. 4 (2021), p.
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: A speed program was developed for two male sixteen-year-old Australian Rules footballers who play state level competition. The program targeted acceleration, repeat sprint ability (RSA), and agility, and was performed two days per week on a natural grass oval. Examples of activities are provided for each speed quality. A key activity for acceleration was resisted sprinting involving towing a sled, which encouraged the desired body positions and technique. Repeat sprint ability was developed by prescribing activities containing short sprints with minimal recovery periods. Agility techniques were initially introduced, and then training activities included evasive changes of direction in an attacking role, and also defensive manoeuvres in one-on-one scenarios. A central principle in the creation of training activities was to contextualise them to Australian Rules football, with the intention of maximising transfer to on-field performance. This involved stressing maximum efforts with sound sprint technique under various imposed perturbations, such as the execution of football skills, pressure from an opponent, and fatigue.
The relationship between lower-body strength qualities and baserunning performance in high school aged baseball players : a pilot study
- Authors: Bartlett, Rogan , Talpey, Scott , Young, Warren
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning (JASC) Vol. 29, no. 4 (2021), p.
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine 1) the relationship between lower-body strength qualities and baserunning and 2) the relationship between lower-body strength qualities and the time discrepancy between baserunning and linear sprints of the same distance. Twenty-one male baseball players (age: 17 ± 1.11 years; height: 179.5 ± 6.73 cm; body mass: 82.48 ± 11.1 kg) from a State Baseball Academy were tested for peak force (PF) production in an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), peak power (PP) and jump height (HCMJ) in a countermovement jump (CMJ), and reactive strength index (RSI) from a drop jump (DJ). Additionally, they performed sprints from Homeplate to Second Base (54.8mBR) and over a 54.8m linear distance (54.8mLIN), with splits taken at 10m (10mBR, 10mLIN) and 27.4m (27.4mBR, 27.4mLIN). Relationships between all the collected variables plus the difference between 54.8mBR and 54.8mLIN (BRD), relative PF (RelPF) and relative PP (RelPP) were assessed by Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Only ten complete sets of data were collected (age: 16.9 ± 1.29 years; height: 180.2 ± 7.07 cm; body mass: 84.67 ± 12.1 kg). RelPF (r = -0.81, p
Efficacy of combined general, special, and specific resistance training on pace bowling skill in club-standard cricketers
- Authors: Feros, Simon , Young, Warren , OʼBrien, Brendan
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 34, no. 9 (2020), p. 2596-2607
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Feros, SA, Young, WB, and O'Brien, BJ. Efficacy of combined general, special, and specific resistance training on pace bowling skill in club-standard cricketers. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2596-2607, 2020-This study investigated the efficacy of combined "general," "special," and "specific" resistance training on pace bowling skill. Twelve male, club-standard pace bowlers were randomly allocated to a combined resistance training (CRT) program or traditional cricket training (TCT) program for 8 weeks. The CRT group (n = 6) trained with 300, 250-g, and standard cricket balls; performed 20-m sprints with +20% and +15% body mass resistance (but also unresisted); and completed chin-up and pull-up training. The TCT group (n = 6) trained with standard balls and performed unresisted 20-m sprints. No statistically significant GROUP × TIME interactions were identified. The CRT group demonstrated a "clear moderate" enhancement in peak ball release speed (mean ±95% confidence limits [CLs]: 1.2 ± 1.5 m·s, d = 0.66 ± 0.83), a "clear large" increase in mean radial error (mean ±95% CLs: 7.1 ± 6.5 cm, d = 0.94 ± 0.87), and a "clear large" rise in bivariate variable error (mean ±95% CLs: 7.2 ± 7.8 cm, d = 0.97 ± 1.05). The TCT group exhibited "unclear" changes across all pace bowling skill measures. Both groups displayed "unclear" changes in approach speed, 20-m sprint time, and 1 repetition maximum pull-up strength. In 8 weeks, the CRT program improved peak ball release speed, but at the cost of poorer bowling accuracy and consistency of bowling accuracy. These findings could be attributed to bowling with the heavier balls. The inclusion of "specific" resistance training does not seem to be effective in enhancing all-round pace bowling skill in club-standard cricketers.
Analysis of a reactive agility test using a live tester
- Authors: Willey, Benjamin , Young, Warren , O'Brien, Brendan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning
- Relation: Vol. 27, no. 2 (2019), p. 19-31
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The utility of a reactive agility test using a live tester (LRAT) was investigated by assessing the variability and reliability of the tester’s movements. Of interest was how the tester’s actions influenced the agility measure of total test time (Ttt). Thirty-one (N=31) semi-elite Australian Rules football players were used to investigate the impact of tester time (TT) variability. A single subject was employed as the test presenter. The LRAT was presented to the playing group on two occasions (test 1 and test 2) separated by a period of 47 days. The impact of the TT on the subject’s agility was investigated for test 1 only. The TT displayed between subject variability within a session. The TT was initiated by the testers’ forward movement and ceased the instant the tester planted his outside foot to change direction. This was represented by the coefficient of variation, and the range expressed as a percentage of the mean. These were 4.8% and 25.6%, respectively. To understand the impact of this, subjects were ranked from fastest to slowest for Ttt, before being re-ranked after the TT was removed. This resulted in 22 out of the 31 subjects changing rank. The test-retest for the TT revealed a very large and significant decrease in time (p = .0001). This was accompanied by an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of -0.04. Thus, the TT failed to provide a stable measure. Based on these findings it is recommended that measures such as agility time (AT), i.e. Ttt minus the TT, be used instead of Ttt. Further, isolating measures of perception and decision-making abilities (PDM) from the physical qualities is recommended to enhance agility inferences.
Relationship between selected physical qualities, bowling kinematics, and pace bowling skill in club-standard cricketers
- Authors: Feros, Simon , Young, Warren , O'Brien, Brendan
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 33, no. 10 (Oct 2019), p. 2812-2825
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Although strength and conditioning of cricket pace bowlers has become more specialized in recent times, little is understood about the interplay between physical capacities, pace bowling kinematics, and pace bowling skill measures. This study sought to determine these interrelationships. Thirty-one male club-standard pace bowlers completed 3 test sessions on separate occasions 4-7 days apart. The first testing session comprised an 8-over pace bowling assessment, where bowling skill and selected bowling kinematics were measured. A physical test battery was completed over the remaining 2 sessions. Peak and mean ball release (BR) speed were related with 1 repetition maximum pull-up strength (r(s) = 0.56, p = 0.005) and correlated with 20-m sprint time (r(s) = -0.42, p = 0.022; r(s) = -0.37, p = 0.044, respectively). Mean radial error was associated with 10-m and 20-m sprint times (r(s) = 0.41, p = 0.030; r(s) = 0.38, p = 0.037, respectively), and correlated with height and peak power from 3 countermovement jumps (CMJs) (r(s) = -0.39, p = 0.036; r(s) = -0.41, p = 0.031, respectively), and mean peak power from 20 CMJs (r(s) = -0.45, p = 0.020). Bivariate variable error was correlated with front-leg extension angle at BR (r(s) = 0.41, p = 0.036), and also with approach speed (r(s) = -0.36, p = 0.050). These relationships may assist strength and conditioning coaches in designing more effective training programs to enhance bowling speed and accuracy. Training interventions are warranted, however, to validate these associations.
Quantifying cricket fast-bowling skill
- Authors: Feros, Simon , Young, Warren , O’Brien, Brendan
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance Vol. 13, no. 7 (2018), p. 830-838
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: To evaluate the current evidence regarding the quantification of cricket fast-bowling skill. Methods: Studies that assessed fast-bowling skill (bowling speed and accuracy) were identified from searches in SPORTDiscus (EBSCO) in June 2017. The reference lists of identified papers were also examined for relevant investigations. Results: A total of 16 papers matched the inclusion criteria, and discrepancies in assessment procedures were evident. Differences in test environment, pitch, and cricket ball characteristics; the warm-up prior to test; test familiarization procedures; permitted run-up lengths; bowling spell length; delivery sequence; test instructions; collection of bowling speed data; and collection and reportage of bowling accuracy data were apparent throughout the literature. The reliability and sensitivity of fast-bowling skill measures have rarely been reported across the literature. Only 1 study has attempted to assess the construct validity of its skill measures. Conclusions: There are several discrepancies in how fast-bowling skill has been assessed and subsequently quantified in the literature to date. This is a problem, because comparisons between studies are often difficult. Therefore, a strong rationale exists for the creation of match-specific standardized fast-bowling assessments that offer greater ecological validity while maintaining acceptable reliability and sensitivity of the skill measures. If prospective research can act on the proposed recommendations from this review, then coaches will be able to make more informed decisions surrounding player selection, talent identification, return to skill following injury, and the efficacy of short- and long-term training interventions for fast bowlers.
Reliability of a field test of defending and attacking agility in australian football and relationships to reactive strength
- Authors: Young, Warren , Murray, Mitch
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 31, no. 2 (2017), p. 509-516
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Defending and attacking agility tests for Australian football do not exist, and it is unknown whether any physical qualities correlate with these types of agility. The purposes of this study were to develop new field tests of defending and attacking agility for Australian Rules football, to determine whether they were reliable, and to describe the relationship between the agility tests to determine their specificity. Because the reactive strength (RS) of the lower limb muscles has been previously correlated with change-of-direction speed, we also investigated the relationship between this quality and the agility tests. Nineteen male competitive recreational-level Australian Rules football players were assessed on the agility tests and a drop jump test to assess RS. Interday and interrater reliability was also assessed. The agility tests involved performing 10 trials of one-on-one agility tasks against 2 testers (opponents), in which the objective was to be in a position to tackle (defending) or to evade (attacking) the opponent. Both agility tests had good reliability (intraclass correlation > 0.8, %CV < 3, and no significant differences between test occasions [p > 0.05], and interrater reliability was very high [r = 0.997, p < 0.001]). The common variance between the agility tests was 45%, indicating that they represented relatively independent skills. There was a large correlation between RS and defending agility (r = 0.625, p = 0.004), and a very large correlation with attacking agility (r = 0.731, p < 0.001). Defending and attacking agility have different characteristics, possibly related to the footwork, physical, and cognitive demands of each. Nonetheless, RS seems to be important for agility, especially for attacking agility. © 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Effect of instructions on selected jump squat variables
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Young, Warren , Beseler, Bradley
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 30, no. 9 (2016), p. 2508-2513
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Talpey, SW, Young, WB, and Beseler, B. Effect of instructions on selected jump squat variables. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2508-2513, 2016-The purpose of this study was to compare 2 instructions on the performance of selected variables in a jump squat (JS) exercise. The second purpose was to determine the relationships between JS variables and sprint performance. Eighteen male subjects with resistance training experience performed 2 sets of 4 JS with no extra load with the instructions to concentrate on (a) jumping for maximum height and (b) extending the legs as fast as possible to maximize explosive force. Sprint performance was assessed at 0- to 10-m and 10- to 20-m distances. From the JS jump height, peak power, relative peak power, peak force, peak velocity, and countermovement distance were measured from a force platform and position transducer system. The JS variables under the 2 instructions were compared with paired t-tests, and the relationships between these variables and sprint performance were determined with Pearson's correlations. The jump height instruction produced greater mean jump height and peak velocity (p < 0.05), but the fast leg extension instruction produced greater (p < 0.05) peak force (3.7%). There was a trivial difference between the instructions for peak power output (p > 0.05). Jump height was the variable that correlated most strongly with 10-m time and 10- to 20-m time under both instructions. The height instruction produced a stronger correlation with 10-m time (r = -0.455), but the fast leg extension JS produced a greater correlation with 10-20 time (r = -0.545). The results indicate that instructions have a meaningful influence on JS variables and therefore need to be taken into consideration when assessing or training athletes.
Examining age and gender effects in physical performance in young athletes aged 12-16 years
- Authors: Yanci, Javier , Cámara, Jesus , Vizcay, Juan , Young, Warren
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching Vol. 11, no. 4 (2016), p. 538-544
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aims of the present study were to determine anthropometric and physical characteristics according to age and gender of young athletes, and to quantify the relationships among these characteristics. Sixty-four young high-level runners were divided into two groups according to their age: U14 = under 14 year's athletes; U16 = under 16 year's athletes. The U16 group presented higher values of the sprint 15 m (p < 0.01, d = 1.14) and modified agility test (p < 0.01, d = 0.66) than the U14 group. However, the boys group presented higher values in the 505 agility test (p < 0.01, d = 0.63), modified agility test (p < 0.01, d = 1.26), horizontal countermovement jump (p < 0.05, d = 0.56), vertical countermovement jump (p < 0.01, d = 0.61) and arm swim vertical countermovement jump (p < 0.01, d = 0.63) than the girls group. © The Author(s) 2016.
Igniting the pressure acclimatization training debate: Contradictory pilot-study evidence from Australian football
- Authors: Beseler, Bradley , Mesagno, Christopher , Young, Warren , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Sport Behavior Vol. 39, no. 1 (2016), p. 22-38
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: In Australian Football, set shot goal kicking is when a player has a shot at goal after taking a mark (i.e., catching a kicked ball) or receiving a free kick (i.e., penalty from an opposing player). In the past two decades, Australian football has improved in nearly all aspects of the game, yet set shot goal kicking accuracy has declined. The purpose of the current pilot study was to investigate whether pressure acclimatization training improves Australian football goal kicking under pressure. Twelve football players assigned to either an experimental (EG) or a control group (CG) completed a pre-intervention test, intervention, and post-intervention test. During the pre-intervention and post-intervention tests, participants attempted 10 goal kicking trials under low pressure (LP) and high pressure (HP) conditions. After five attempts, participants completed an anxiety questionnaire. During the intervention period, the EG practiced under HP, while the CG practiced under LP. These pilot results indicated a significant increase in participants ' anxiety from LP to HP for both groups and a significant decrease in accuracy from pre-intervention to post-intervention. In the post-intervention test, the CG was more accurate under HP than the EG, indicating no significant advantage by practicing under pressure and contradicting other acclimatization studies. These results may ignite a debate about the benefits of acclimatization training, but caution should be exercised when interpreting the results considering the pilot nature of the study. Larger sample sizes should be used to further explore these effects. Future research in acclimatization training is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Is nine weeks of complex training effective for improving lower body strength, explosive muscle function, sprint and jumping performance?
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Young, Warren , Saunders, Natalie
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching Vol. 11, no. 5 (2016), p. 736-745
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is currently minimal evidence from training studies that document the effectiveness of complex training to elicit gains in explosive muscle function that are greater than those obtained from a more conventional approach. Over nine weeks of training, 20 recreationally trained athletes with a minimum of one year of resistance training experience were randomly assigned to either a complex training group (n=9) or a conventional training group (n=11). In an attempt to capitalise on muscles post-activation potentiation response, the complex training group performed all sets of 1/2 back squats prior to sets of jumps squats, while the conventional training group performed jump squats prior to sets of 1/2 back squats. Lower body explosive muscle function and jump performance improved significantly in both groups. The complex training group's improvement in running vertical jump performance was significantly greater than in the conventional groups. Sprint performance was not significantly improved in either training group.
A comparison of Smith machine and barbell half squats to elicit potentiation in countermovement jump performance
- Authors: O'Grady, Mathew , Young, Warren , Talpey, Scott
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Australian Strength & Conditioning Vol. 23, no. 6 (2015), p. 90-94
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The article presents a study which compares the post activation potentiation (PAP) of Smith machine & barbell (BB) half squats in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. It explores the different force output and muscle activation between the two different squatting methods in jumping performance. It shows repeated measures of ANOVA revealing a significant squat type by time interaction for the best peak power, indicating that CMJ is greater in Smith machine squat than the BB squat.
Bridging the gap between content and context : Establishing expert consensus on the content of an exercise training program to prevent lower-limb injuries
- Authors: Donaldson, Alex , Cook, Jill , Gabbe, Belinda , Lloyd, David , Young, Warren , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine Vol.25, no.3, p.221-229
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565907
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: OBJECTIVE: To achieve expert consensus on the content of an exercise training program (known as FootyFirst) to prevent lower-limb injuries. DESIGN: Three-round online Delphi consultation process. SETTING: Community Australian Football (AF). PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Australian Football Leagues' Medical Officers (n = 94), physiotherapists (n = 50), and Sports Science (n = 19) Associations were invited to participate through e-mail. Five people with more general expertise in sports-related lower-limb injury prevention were also invited to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the level of agreement on the appropriateness of the proposed exercises and progressions for inclusion in FootyFirst. Consensus was reached when ≥75% of experts who responded to each item agreed and strongly agreed, or disagreed and strongly disagreed, that an exercise or its progressions were appropriate to include in FootyFirst. RESULTS: Fifty-five experts participated in at least 1 Delphi round. In round 1, consensus was achieved that the proposed warm-up (run through and dynamic stretches) and the exercises and progressions for hamstring strength and for balance, landing, and changing direction were appropriate to include in FootyFirst. There was also consensus in round 1 that progressions for hip/core strength should be included in FootyFirst. Consensus was reached in round 2 that the revised groin strength and hip strength exercises should be included in FootyFirst. Consensus was reached for the progression of the groin strength exercises in round 3. CONCLUSIONS: The formal consensus development process has resulted in an evidence-informed, researcher-developed, exercise-based sports injury prevention program that is expert endorsed and specific to the context of AF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lower-limb injuries are common in running, kicking, and contact sports like AF. These injuries are often costly to treat, and many have high rates of recurrence, making them challenging to treat clinically. Reducing these injuries is a high priority for players, teams, and medical staff. Exercise programs provide a method for primary prevention of lower-limb injuries, but they have to be evidence based, have currency with sports practitioners/clinicians, and utility for the context in which they are to be used. However, the comprehensive methods and clinical engagement processes used to develop injury prevention exercise programs have not previously been described in detail. This study describes the results of engaging clinicians and sport scientists in the development of a lower-limb sports injury prevention program for community AF, enabling the development of a program that is both evidence informed and considerate of expert clinical opinion.
Correlations between attaching agility, defensive agility, change of direction speed and reactive strength in Australian footballers
- Authors: Rayner, Russell , Young, Warren
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning Vol. 23, no. 6 (2015), p. 108-111
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Agility refers to “a rapid whole-body movement with a change of velocity or direction in response to a stimulus” (10). This is a separate physical quality to change of direction speed (CODS) which refers to rapid changes of direction which do not involve the cognitive response to a stimulus. There exists a large body of evidence investigating correlations between physical qualities and CODS (2,3,5,15). Despite this, due to the use of outdated definitions of agility in previous literature, research on agility remains limited. To the authors’ knowledge, just one previous study has tested correlations between agility and reactive strength (15). The study tested 24 Australian Footballers using a video stimulus to assess defensive agility and a found small correlation (r = -0.10) between defensive agility and reactive strength (15). Despite this, correlations between reactive strength and CODS were large (r= -0.645), suggesting that reactive strength is more important to CODS than agility. This is consistent with previous research which suggests reactive strength may be important in CODS performance (4,13,14). Nevertheless, as the majority of agility tests used in literature are defensive, no correlational studies have been undertaken to investigate attacking agility and its correlations with defensive agility and CODS. Therefore, it is unknown if attacking and defensive agility are highly correlated or independent skills. In addition, past research has shown a low correlation between defensive agility and reactive strength, but it is unknown if this correlation will be similar for attacking agility (15). Previous research has noted the possibility of a higher correlation to attacking agility due to the speed of and intensity of the approach when approaching an agility scenario (15). As the attacking athlete has more time to make a movement decision, it is possible he or she may perform a more aggressive change of direction, therefore increasing the load on the leg muscles. The purpose of this study is to understand the correlation between attacking and defensive agility and the relationship to reactive strength. This provides coaches with information on the importance of reactive strength to defensive and attacking agility.
Different methods of training load quantification and their relationship to injury and illness in elite Australian football
- Authors: Veugelers, Kristopher , Young, Warren , Fahrner, Brendan , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. , no. (2015), p.
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: To compare different methods of training load (TL) quantification and their relationship to injury and illness in elite Australian footballers. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-five elite Australian footballers (mean ± standard deviation: age = 23.4 ± 3.8 years) from one elite club participated in this 15 week pre-season study. TL was quantified every session for each individual using four different methods involving rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Two of these methods enabled the quantification of TL for all exercise modalities whilsttwo were applicable only to outdoor field activities. One- and two-weekly cumulative TL was investigated against injury and illness data using a logistic regression model where the low TL group was considered as the reference group. Results: A general trend existed across all TL methods which suggested lower odds of injury and illness in high TL groups. The one-week RPE (all) and one-week RPE x Duration (all) methods detected reduced odds ofinjury inhighTL groups comparedto low TL groups (p < 0.05, OR = 0.199–0.202). Similarly,the one-week RPE (field) method identified lower illness odds in the high TL groups (p < 0.05, OR = 0.083–0.182). Conclusions: Higher TL appeared to provide a protective effect against both injury and illness. The inclusion of duration in the quantification of TL via RPE did not improve the ability of RPE to predict change in odds of injury or illness. © 2015 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
GPS variables most related to match performance in an elite Australian football team
- Authors: Bauer, Alexandra , Young, Warren , Fahrner, Brendan , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport Vol. 15, no. 1 (2015), p. 187-202
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Player Rank (PR) and coaches' ratings (CR). Variables were sampled at 10Hz and partial correlations adjusted for game time were calculated between all variables and both performance measures, by position. Variables that displayed the highest partial correlations with both performance measures were used in a stepwise regression to identify the most relevant to performance. For the nomadic group, a negative relationship (P<0.05) was found between walking (distance and # entries) and PR. For the fixed players, a negative relationship (P<0.05) was evident between sprinting (# entries) and PR. However, a positive relationship (P<0.05) was found between CR and HSR (% time) and sprinting (distance). This indicates that the GPS variables that most relate to performance depend on the performance measure employed by coaches. The purpose of this study is to identify which GPS variables are most related to Australian football (AF) physical performance. Data was collected from thirty-five professional AF players over 11 games early in the 2013 Australian Football League (AFL) season. Match performance was measured by the Champion Data © 2015 International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.