Influence of neuromuscular fatigue on accelerometer load in elite Australian football players.

Purpose: To determine the impact of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) assessed from variables obtained during a countermovement jump on exercise intensity measured with triaxial accelerometers (load per minute [LPM]) and the association between LPM and measures of running activity in elite Australian Football.

Methods: Seventeen elite Australian Football players performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) and provided a baseline measure of NMF (flight time:contraction time [FT:CT]) from a countermovement jump before the season. Weekly samples of FT:CT, coaches' rating of performance (votes), LPM, and percent contribution of the 3 vectors from the accelerometers in addition to high-speed-running meters per minute at >15 km/h and total distance relative to playing time (m/min) from matches were collected.

Impact of neuromuscular fatigue on match exercise intensity and performance in elite Australian football.

This study aimed to quantify the influence of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) via flight time to contraction time ratio (FT:CT) obtained from a countermovement jump (CMJ) on the relationships between yo-yo intermittent recovery (level 2) test (yo-yo IR2), match exercise intensity (high-intensity running [HIR] m·min(-1) and Load·min(-1)) and Australian football (AF) performance. Thirty-seven data sets were collected from 17 different players across 22 elite AF matches. Each data set comprised an athlete's yo-yo IR2 score before the start of the season, match exercise intensity via global positioning system and on-field performance rated by coaches' votes and number of ball disposals.

Repeated sprint training improves intermittent peak running speed in team-sport athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 repeated sprint training interventions on an intermittent peak running speed (IPRS) test designed for Australian Rules football. The test required participants to perform 10 × 10-m maximal efforts on an 80-m course every 25 seconds, for each of which the mean peak speed (kilometers per hour) was recorded to determine IPRS. The training interventions were performed twice weekly for 4 weeks immediately before regular football training.

Reliability and validity of a novel intermittent peak running speed test for Australian football.

Australian football requires frequent intermittent sprinting close to peak running speed. However, tests assessing the capability to maintain intermittent peak running speed are not reported in scientific literature. Therefore, our objective is to report the reliability and validity of a novel intermittent peak running speed test.