Relationship Between Repeated Kicking Performance and Maximal Aerobic Capacity in Elite Junior Australian Football

Abstract

Australian football (AF) is a physically demanding game, requiring players to engage in a range of anaerobic activities interspersed with prolonged aerobic exercise. Coupled, players have to perform a range of technical skills, the most fundamental of which being to effectively kick (dispose) the ball. The aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which aerobic capacity influenced kicking performance in AF. Twenty four elite U18 players competing in the same U18 competition performed the Australian Football Kicking test (AFK) three times with the yo-yo IR2 completed twice (between each AFK), with no rest between all three AFKs. Linear mixed models (LMM) reported the extent to which kicking speed and accuracy scores were influenced by the level reached on the yo-yo IR2. Results indicated that players who recorded a higher level on the yo-yo IR2 produced a faster average kicking speed following each AFK (P <0.01), while for all players, kicking speed was faster and more accurate on their dominant kicking leg regardless of score on the yo-yo IR2 (P <0.01). The LMMs also reported that those who maintained kicking speeds following two yo-yo IR2 also had higher competition kicking efficiency than those who reported reduced kicking speeds. These results show that aerobically proficient U18 AF players who attain a relatively higher score on the yo-yo IR2 may be better equipped at preserving their kicking speed. Thus, coaches may wish to integrate both technical and aerobic drills in an attempt to preserve a player's capability to execute ball disposals with a high velocity.

Applied Sport Science of Australian Football: A Systematic Review

“…Technical abilities are clearly pivotal to AF success [3,44], and the relationship between physical qualities and technical performance is complex. High fitness levels minimise reductions in physical and technical performance under fatigue [24,70,71], in addition to reducing postgame markers of muscle damage [72]. Therefore, developing running fitness, strength and power will help maximise overall performance in AF players.…”

“…This theory is supported by the increased relative distance completed by teams against stronger opposition [18,76]. Additionally, these increased match demands are likely to cause more fatigue, which could also explain the reduction in technical performance [3,70,71]. Although high-speed running does not appear pivotal to game success, players must have the capacity to increase physical activities when required.…”

“…Poor aerobic fitness is also associated with an increased risk of lower limb injuries in youth (relative risk [RR] = 0.752) [86] and senior players (odds ratio [OR] = 0.994) [87]. There is also greater maintenance of kicking speed under fatigue with a higher Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (IRT; Level 2) score [71]. Clearly, aerobic fitness is vital for success and should form a major focus of physical preparation.…”

“…fat percentage[19,97]; Yo-Yo IRT Level 2[17,24,71,90,98,99]; 3 km time trial[26,63,89]; 20 m sprint[20, 26, 28, 40, 41, 79-81, 84, 89, 91, 93, 95, 100, 101]; vertical jump[17, 19, 20, 40, 41, 56, 79-81, 84, 86, 93, 95, 100]; 1RM squat[88,94,102]; and 1RM bench press[19,96] IRT intermittent recovery test, RM repetition maximum…”

Future Directions and Considerations for Talent Identification in Australian Football

“…Furthermore, these less experienced players had fewer involvements during high-intensity periods of the match as well as during the periods subsequent to the most intense periods of play. Joseph et al (2017) investigated the relationship between aerobic capacity and kicking performance in Australian football. They noted players who had a higher yo-yo intermittent recovery two score had higher kicking speeds and better accuracy scores than players with lower aerobic capacities.…”