AFL players are susceptible to Quad Dominance, which can cause tight hamstrings, difficulty in bodyweight squats, and decreased mobility. The AFL relies heavily on explosive movement, ballistic loading, and sudden changes of direction. Overrelying anterior muscles increase the risk of a hamstring injury. Hence, an AFL strength and conditioning program is vital for athletes to prevent these common aches and pains.
Reduces risk of injury
During AFL seasons, the Australian Football League’s team physiotherapist collected data from the team and their players. The team included every athlete that participated in the program. The researchers measured demographics at the beginning of the season, as well as injury data for every training session. In addition, the program improved performance measures. Hence, the researchers believe that the program can reduce injuries and improve performance.
Research on the safety of sports and exercise training has long been part of the sporting community. It sometimes divides athletes and coaches over the extent to which they should be involved in the program. For example, studies conducted in the 80s showed that athletes with a history of resistance and weight training were less likely to sustain injury than those who did not. The latest study indicates a direct connection between strength training and injury prevention.
Improves performance
In today’s competitive Australian Football League, strength and conditioning play a critical role in the success of a team. Explosive power training is a key component of an AFL strength and conditioning program. By increasing explosive power, a player will be able to generate large amounts of power in a short period of time. The key to improving explosive power is incorporating plyometric exercises into a workout routine.
AFL players often find themselves in positions that are uncomfortable for them. Performing a range of flexibility exercises can help ensure optimal flexibility on game day and prevent injury. Agility exercises are important for quick changes on the field and include side-stepping, sprinting, and jumping. A Bosu ball or wobble board can add even more balance challenges to agility drills. This will prevent injuries from occurring as a player tries to make a move.
Improves sense of wellbeing
The AFL Strength and Conditioning Program is a comprehensive approach to building player resilience, wellbeing, and performance. The program includes evidence-based mental health education delivered by qualified and experienced psychologists. The AFLPA has developed a Brain-based Mental Health education program to help members of the team understand and improve their sense of wellbeing. The program is also designed to promote mental health literacy among players. Here are a few benefits of the AFL Strength and Conditioning Program:
Prevents muscle loss
The AFL Strength and Conditioning Program has been shown to reduce the incidence of training injuries and match play injuries in Australian rules football players. Its success is attributed to its prevention of muscle loss. The program is a critical component of any sports performance. Its effectiveness has been proven to significantly reduce the incidence of injury among AFL players. This research is the first to establish a link between a football team’s strength and conditioning and player health.
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