Comparison of physical demands between matches and small-sided games in Australian Football

Wing, C; Hart, NH; Ma’ayah, F; Nosaka, K

Comparison of physical demands between matches and small-sided games in Australian Football

Wing, C Hart, NH Ma’ayah, F Nosaka, K

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Publisher:: SAGE Publications
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 2023, 18, (6), pp. 2061-2069
Issue Date:: 2023-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wing, C
dc.contributor.author	Hart, NH
dc.contributor.author	Ma’ayah, F
dc.contributor.author	Nosaka, K
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-04T04:45:26Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-04T04:45:26Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 2023, 18, (6), pp. 2061-2069
dc.identifier.issn	1747-9541
dc.identifier.issn	2048-397X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174005
dc.description.abstract	This study evaluated the physical demands and specificity of small-sided games (SSGs) compared to matches in Australian Football (AF). Global positioning system (GPS) data was collected on 48 AF players from 39 matches and 28 training sessions across two seasons. Match data was analysed using the ball in play (BiP) method with the maximum BiP period for each match (e.g. the BiP with greatest meters per minute), for each variable (relative distance, high-speed running, and accelerations) averaged for each player to establish maximal means as reference points. Intensity of all BiP periods in matches and SSGs was compared (e.g. a BiP period recorded at 100 m·min−1 by a player with a maximal mean of 200 m·min−1, was classified as a 50% effort). This was categorised in 10% intensity buckets, and compared between matches and SSGs using linear mixed models and Cohen's d effect sizes. Distance was greater (p < 0.01) in the 20–49% buckets for matches and in the 60–89% buckets (p < 0.001) for SSGs. For high-speed running and accelerations, matches were greater (p < 0.001) in the 0–9% bucket but SSGs were greater (p < 0.001) in buckets from 20 to 49%. At the individual level, 37–49% of the players did not record any SSGs efforts in buckets of >80 to ≥90% across GPS variables. SSGs appear to provide a sub-optimal training stimulus, if the aim is to prepare AF players for the highest intensity periods of play recorded during matches, thus may under-prepare players for the intensity demands of AF matches.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SAGE Publications
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/17479541221129902
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	42 Health sciences
dc.subject.classification	52 Psychology
dc.title	Comparison of physical demands between matches and small-sided games in Australian Football
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	18
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - HPRC - Human Performance Research Centre
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2024-01-04T04:45:24Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	18
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

This study evaluated the physical demands and specificity of small-sided games (SSGs) compared to matches in Australian Football (AF). Global positioning system (GPS) data was collected on 48 AF players from 39 matches and 28 training sessions across two seasons. Match data was analysed using the ball in play (BiP) method with the maximum BiP period for each match (e.g. the BiP with greatest meters per minute), for each variable (relative distance, high-speed running, and accelerations) averaged for each player to establish maximal means as reference points. Intensity of all BiP periods in matches and SSGs was compared (e.g. a BiP period recorded at 100 m·min−1 by a player with a maximal mean of 200 m·min−1, was classified as a 50% effort). This was categorised in 10% intensity buckets, and compared between matches and SSGs using linear mixed models and Cohen's d effect sizes. Distance was greater (p < 0.01) in the 20–49% buckets for matches and in the 60–89% buckets (p < 0.001) for SSGs. For high-speed running and accelerations, matches were greater (p < 0.001) in the 0–9% bucket but SSGs were greater (p < 0.001) in buckets from 20 to 49%. At the individual level, 37–49% of the players did not record any SSGs efforts in buckets of >80 to ≥90% across GPS variables. SSGs appear to provide a sub-optimal training stimulus, if the aim is to prepare AF players for the highest intensity periods of play recorded during matches, thus may under-prepare players for the intensity demands of AF matches.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174005