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Abstract
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OBJECTIVES: To use physical and anthropometric parameters to predict playing status in junior Australian Football.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational.
METHODS: Participants were recruited from the under 18 competition within the West Australian Football League and classified into two groups; elite (state representative; n=50; 17.9±0.5 y; 184.8±6.9cm; 80.6±9.4kg) and sub-elite (non-state representative; n=50; 17.8±0.6y; 179.8±5.4cm; 74.4±7.9kg). Both groups completed physical/anthropometric tests inclusive of a 5m, 10m and 20m sprint, an agility test, stationary vertical jump, dynamic dominant and non-dominant foot vertical jump, 20m multistage fitness test, standing height and body mass. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the main effect of 'status' on the physical/anthropometric parameters, whilst logistic regression models were used to predict playing status using the physical/anthropometric parameters.
RESULTS: On average, the elite group were taller, heavier, had a greater stationary vertical jump, dynamic dominant and non-dominant foot vertical jump and higher maximal aerobic capacity as measured by the multistage fitness test (p<0.05). The combination of standing height, dynamic vertical jump non-dominant foot and the 20m multistage fitness test were the strongest predictors of status (Akaike's Information Criterion=96.35).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite mean differences in a number of parameters, the combination of standing height, dynamic vertical jump non-dominant foot and the multistage fitness test were the strongest predictors of status and thus important tests for initially identifying potential talent in junior Australian Football.
Language: en |