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
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
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