1. Kelly Foreman Supervisors: Dr. Jo Hanisch Ms. Gaye Lewis 11 th September 2009

2. Research Question “What are the influences of using GPS as a data collection tool on the performance and injury management of elite athletes?” How does the use of GPS influence the fitness and strength of players? How does the use of GPS aid in tactical and strategical analysis? How does the use of GPS assist in the rehabilitation of players from injuries?

3. Literature Research Areas Fitness and StrengthMonitoring fatigue and decision making Garrett & Domrow 2007; Royal et al. 2003; Marcora et al. 2009; Dawson et al. 2004 Strategical and TacticalTeam structure and player movement; Rolling zones; Interchange; Benchmarking individual players Rucci 2009; Gill 2009; Wellman 2008 RehabilitationTailored training; Recovery training; Early injury detection and intervention management Finch 2006; Killgallon 2009; Pizzari et al. 2008

4. Methodology Survey Research – Questionnaire 6 survey sections 146 Surveys sent to clubs Data analysis Leximancer Calculated percentage of quantitative data

5. Code Responses Received Completed Responses Incomplete Responses Percentage of Valid Responses NRL862 75% AFL1293 75% TOTAL20155 75% Methodology (cont.)

6. Results 60% of clubs using GPS to manage injuries at training Hamstring strains account for 16% of playing time missed Hamstring recurrence rate of 35% Groin pain occurs second only to hamstring strains

7. Results Rotations have increased over 250% 70% of AFL teams monitor fatigue 20% of NRL teams monitor fatigue Over all 53% of teams Primary consideration for rotating players in their RSA (Repeated Sprint Ability)

8. Results Players are hit/tackled by a force over 10g 20% of clubs monitor collisions during games GPS is used to assist with player rehabilitation

9. Results – GPS Units (cont.) Figure 1 - Leximancer Results from Question 50: To what extent do you reply on GPS data when planning player rehabilitation from injury?

10. Results “Where possible we try to eventually build up the rehab player’s workload/intensity to match that of game/main training session” (Club 1), “Used to monitor fitness capacity of returning player and his workload during rehab phase” (Club 20), “Must reach game level demands prior to return” (Club 26) and “Need to meet previous benchmarks before return” (Club 13).

11. Results 73% of clubs use GPS for injury prevention Fatigue can elevate chances of injury Only 40% of teams are monitoring players for fatigue 21% of clubs immediately remove a fatigued player from the field

12. Conceptual Framework – Part 1

13. Conceptual Framework – Part 2

14. Conceptual Framework – Part 3

15. Expected Outcomes Link to be established between the 3 parts of the conceptual framework GPS is a key data collection tool for player performance GPS has key role to play in injury prevention

16. Questions?