Descriptive seasonal performance characteristics of junior elite Australian Rules footballers aged twelve to seventeen

The primary aim of the study was to quantify baseline reference values for commonly used AFL fitness tests in junior players aged between 12 and 17 years in an academy based program. The second aim was to identify differences in fitness qualities across a season for these junior athletes. Using a descriptive cross sectional design athletes were assessed using standard anthropometric and physical performance tests in line with the AFL Combine. Footballers were assessed four times throughout the season at three monthly intervals in a mini draft camp setting at the AFL academy using standardised measures from the AFL Draft Combine test battery. Differences between groups and tests were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The greatest rate of change of height (8.85cm.year-1) occurred at approximately 14 years and coincided with mass (9.11kg.year-1), 10m (-0.135s.year-1), 20m (-0.180s.year-1) and 40m (-0.351s.year-1) speed while time trial (0.40m/s.year-1), standing vertical jump (10.04cm.year-1) and running vertical jump (11.03cm.year-1) greatest rate of change occurred 12 months after the largest change of height. Agility (-0.210s.year-1) greatest rate of change occurred approximately 12 to 18 months after that of largest height rate of change. It can be suggested that implementing a battery of anthropometric tests (Height and Weight) and fitness (40m speed, Vertical Jump, Agility, 2km-3km Time Trial) tests during the developmental years (12-15 years) approximately every 3 months can assist coaches and fitness staff to identify changes in the different anthropometric and fitness qualities and set appropriate training protocols based on these changes