Time motion analysis of elite under 19 female netball players using GPS technology
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Date
2018-01
Authors
Shaw, Michael-Louis
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Introduction: Netball is a high intensity team sport characterized by short bursts of movements coupled with less intense recovery periods. Understanding the physiological demands of the sport is essential for constructing sport-specific conditioning programmes.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to profile the physical characteristics and physiological demands on elite u/19 female netball players during netball matches, in an attempt to assess the differences in those characteristics and demands for the various playing positions in netball.
Methods: Global Positioning System (GPS) data on a total of forty-four (44) elite junior netball players (u/19A) were collected and a total of sixteen netball matches were analysed for the study. Therefore, a total of hundred and forty (140) GPS data sets (player games) were analysed (equivalent to 560 (140 x 4) player quarters out of a total of 731 player quarters that were recorded). Minimax X4 Catapult GPS units as well as a Polar HR monitors and chest straps were used to determine the physiological demands of netball players. The following variables were recorded: Distances covered, player load, the maximal velocity during the match; and heart rate (HR) response.
The various HR and GPS data variables were analysed using a linear mixed model with Playing Position as fixed effect, and the random effects Game, Team, Game x, Team interaction term, and Player. Fitting these random effects allowed for correlation between the observations in question due to multiple observations from the same game, team, and player. Based on this linear mixed model, the mean values of the variable for each playing position were estimated, together with their standard errors. Furthermore, the pairwise mean differences between playing positions were estimated, together with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the mean differences and P-values associated with the null-hypothesis of zero mean difference between the pair of playing positions in question.
Results: The body weight, body fat percentage and height of u/19 female netball players vary according to playing position. The Goal Shooter (GS) (186 b/min) recorded significantly (p<0.05) lower mean maximum HR than all the other positions. The mean HR of the GS (162 b/min) and the Goal Defence (GD) (170 b/min) was significantly lower than the Centre (C),Goal Attack (GA) (180 b/min) and WA (178 b/min). The C presented with the highest mean maximum velocity (5.23m.s-1) whereas the GS recorded the lowest mean maximal velocity of 4.05m.s-1. The C also covered significantly (p<0.05) more distance and presented with significantly (p<0.05) higher Player load (PL) than all the other positions, whereas the GS and the Goal Keeper (GK) presented with significantly (p<0.05) lower distance covered and PL. However, the GS and GK had a significantly higher PL per meter. The C covered 44% of its total distance between 0.2 – 3.6 m.s-1 whereas the GK and GS covered 77% of their total distance between 0.2 – 3.6 m.s-1. The GS and GK covered significantly (p<0.005) more distance in velocity band 1 than the C, GA, GD and Wing Attack (WA) and the Wing Defence (WD) travelled significantly (p=0.007) further than the C in velocity band 1. However, the GK and GS covered significantly (p<0.05) less distance than all the other positions in velocity band 2. The C travelled significantly (p<0.05) further than all the other positions in velocity band 3 and 4 and the GK travelled significantly (p<0.05) less in velocity band 4 than the other positions.
Conclusions: The study revealed the differences in physical profile and physical demands of u/19 female netball players between the seven playing positions. These findings emphasize the difference in physical demand between the different positions as well as the different type of load placed on the different positions. Coaches and conditioning coaches must implement the findings of the study to develop sport-specific, and more importantly, position-specific conditioning programs.
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Keywords
Time motion analysis, Junior netball players, Physical profile, Physical demands, Dissertation (M.A. (Exercise and Sport Sciences))--University of the Free State, 2018