Subs slowing it downBy Matt Thompson
afl.com.au
Wed 07 Mar, 2012FOOTBALL is slowing down - with GPS data from 2011 showing the game is becoming a test of endurance, with fewer intense bursts of speed.
The data - released exclusively to AFL.com.au - reveals the substitute interchange model has cut average player speeds and may have reduced the incidence of some injuries.
According to a separate injury report, also released on Wednesday, there is evidence that having three interchange players and one substitute has contributed to a reduction in groin and hamstring strain injuries.
The GPS report also reveals;
* A 55-second fall in the amount of time players spend running at above 18km/h from 6min 20sec in 2010 to 5min 25sec last year.
* Players spend around 70 minutes per match moving at less than 8km/h and are also spending more time between 8km/h and 12km/h.
* Across the competition, teams adapted to the substitute situation differently. Some had a dramatic drop in rotations, while others maintained similar numbers despite having just three players on the bench.
* Defenders run the most travelling an average distance of 13.5km per match, forwards run 12.89km a match and nomadic players, defined in this study as midfielders and ruckmen, run 13.46km a match.
* Midfielders spend significantly less time on the ground - 109 minutes, compared to 113 minutes for forwards and almost 117 minutes for defenders.
* The intensity from midfield players though is 16 per cent higher than a forward and 14 per cent higher than a defender.
More data here:
http://www.afl.com.au/portals/0/2012/2011-afl-gps-report.pdfhttp://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130171/default.aspxhttp://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130182/default.aspx
Injury reports here:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130168/default.aspxhttp://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130176/default.aspx
