title: Factors affecting match performance in professional Australian football.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the physical activity measures and skill-performance characteristics that contribute to coaches' perception of performance and player performance rank in professional Australian Football (AF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, longitudinal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity profiles were assessed via microtechnology (GPS and accelerometer) from 40 professional AF players from the same team during 15 Australian Football League games. Skill-performance measure and player-rank scores (Champion Data Rank) were provided by a commercial statistical provider. The physical-performance variables, skill involvements, and individual player performance scores were expressed relative to playing time for each quarter. A stepwise multiple regression was used to examine the contribution of physical activity and skill involvements to coaches' perception of performance and player rank in AF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stepwise multiple-regression analysis revealed that 42.2% of the variance in coaches' perception of a player's performance could be explained by the skill-performance characteristics (player rank/min, effective kicks/min, pressure points/min, handballs/min, and running bounces/ min), with a small contribution from physical activity measures (accelerations/min) (adjusted R2 = .422, F6,282 = 36.054, P < .001). Multiple regression also revealed that 66.4% of the adjusted variance in player rank could be explained by total disposals/min, effective kicks/min, pressure points/min, kick clangers/min, marks/min, speed (m/min), and peak speed (adjusted R2 = .664, F7,281 = 82.289, P < .001). Increased physical activity throughout a match (speed [m/min] β - 0.097 and peak speed β - 0.116) negatively affects player rank in AF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skill performance rather than increased physical activity is more important to coaches' perception of performance and player rank in professional AF.
authors: Elite Performance Unit, Carlton Football Club, Carlton North, VIC, Australia.
authors: Courtney
authors: C
authors: Sullivan
authors: Johann C
authors: JC
authors: Bilsborough
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Cianciosi
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Hocking
authors: Justin T
authors: JT
authors: Cordy
authors: Aaron J
authors: AJ
authors: Coutts
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001315:Australia; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012420:Running; D012916:Soccer; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult