Impact of sudden rule changes on player injuries and performance: Insights from Australian football

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Journal of Sports Science and Medicine

Volume

21

Issue

3

First Page

458

Last Page

464

Publisher

Uludag University

School

Centre for Human Performance / School of Medical and Health Sciences / Exercise Medicine Research Institute

RAS ID

52063

Comments

Wing, C., Hart, N. H., Ma’ayah, F., & Nosaka, K. (2022). Impact of sudden rule changes on player injuries and performance: Insights from Australian football. Journal of sports science and medicine, 21(3), 458-464. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2022.458

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of reduced quarter time due to COVID-19 pandemic rule changes, on running performance and injuries in Australian Football. Microsensor data for eight matches performed by the same 17 players were compared between the 2019 (standard) and 2020 (COVID-19) seasons using linear and generalised mixed models. Injury rates were assessed in 34 players across the full 2019 season, and 32 players across the full 2020 season. The total distance (ES = 1.28 [0.55 to 2.02]), high-speed ( > 18 km/h) (ES = 0.44 [-0.24 to 1.12]) and very high-speed ( > 24 km/h) (ES = 0.27 [-0.41 to 0.94]) distances, Player-Load™ (ES = 0.96 [0.25 to 1.67]), high-intensity efforts (ES = 0.48 [-0.20 to 1.16]), and accelerations (ES = 0.33 [-0.34 to 1.01]) were smaller (p ≤ 0.01) for the 2020 than the 2019 season. Ex-pressed relative to playing time, distance (ES = -0.38 [-1.06 to 0.30]), PlayerLoad™ (ES = -0.27 [-0.94 to 0.41]), and acceleration efforts (ES = -0.50 [-1.18 to 0.18]) were greater (p < 0.05) for the 2020 than the 2019 season. No significant differences in maximum ball-in-play periods nor the difference between the 1st and 4th quarters were evident. Injury rates remained similar between 2019 (3.36 per game) and 2020 (3.55 per game). However, the proportion of injuries that led to lost time (missed games) was greater for the 2020 (38 %) than 2019 season (24 %). The changes in the rules had a profound impact on player performance and increased the likelihood of time loss injuries.

DOI

10.52082/jssm.2022.458

Access Rights

free_to_read

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