Management of the Older AFL Player

The following is a summary of an article I wrote for the ASCA. If you’d like a copy of the whole document, just send me an email.

AFL is a physically demanding game characterised by unpredictable fast-paced change of direction, contact and repeat speed efforts. As such, adjustments and modifications must be made to the training programs of older players to ensure longevity in the sport. With the exception of players like Dustin Fletcher and Brent Harvey, very few athletes are able to play at the elite level beyond their mid 30’s. This is often due to either their inability to keep up with the growing demands of the game or the presence of a chronic injury.

Given the limited research available in this area I found it appropriate to initially identify age-related physiological changes before suggesting general management strategies applicable to these players. It should be noted that these program modifications are largely based on experience and shouldn’t be the only considerations addressed in the management of older players.

Physiological changes associated with age:

• Reductions in athletic performance are largely due to the changes associated with strength, power and endurance.

• Significant musculoskeletal degeneration including functional and structural changes in muscle tissue contributes to the body’s diminished ability to absorb load.

• Increased susceptibility to muscle tears as well as tendon and ligament damage.

  • Specifically, those aged >23 years are at a significantly higher risk of sustaining a hamstring injury (34% more common).

  • Combined with a previous hamstring injury, the older athlete could be 6-7 times more likely to have a subsequent hamstring injury.

  • A suggested mechanism for this age-related susceptibility is lumbar degeneration leading to L5 and S1 nerve impingement resulting in hamstring and calf muscle fiber degeneration and ultimately decreased muscle strength.

• Degenerative changes in tendons, including the amount and density of collagen, collagen turnover and elastin content.

• A progressive decline in maximal running velocity and a reduction in force capacity (meaning players aren’t able to accelerate or run at top end speed as efficiently as they used to). This is largely due to:

  • Decreases in stride length

  • Increases in ground contact time

  • Reductions in muscle tissue mass and fiber number

Management Strategies and Recommendations

Monitoring:
Player monitoring is the most useful tool in assessing fatigue as well as psychological and physiological coping and should ultimately dictate program content for older players.

Regular monitoring may include:

• Measures of neuromuscular fatigue (inc. RFD and peak force values)

  • Isometric mid thigh pull

  • CMJ

  • Cycle ergo peak power tests

• Self reporting

  • Daily diary

  • Conversations with the player (critical for older athletes as they generally have a good understanding of their body and factors influencing performance).

• Observation (inc. running mechanics and movement patterns)

• Musculoskeletal screening

• Recovery markers

  • HRV

  • Immune function

  • Hormonal status

• Performance markers (inc. significant weekly changes in these parameters)

  • Training volume

  • Training intensity

  • Change of direction

  • Player load

Training Load:

•  Similar to 1st and 2nd year players, a reduction in training load is recommended in order to reduce mental and physical fatigue and minimise the risk of injury.

• Identify and prioritise specific components of the program. For example some older players may not participate in contested stoppage work but may still be involved in full ground non-contact ball movement drills where the risk of injury is reduced.

Running Volume:

• Given their training age, older players generally don’t require the same running volumes in order to maintain aerobic fitness levels.

• An Alter G treadmill (if available) may also be used to address musculoskeletal issues that exist with aging, including changes in muscle tissue, joint and lumbar degeneration.

• Players can often achieve the same or similar volume of running but at a reduced body weight, taking pressure off joints and soft tissue structures.

• The volume of conditioning the player completes on the Alter G is specific to the individual and their tolerance of the training loads.

(Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)

Psychological Wellbeing:

• Consideration must be given to this area and how it relates to fatigue, motivation, stress, energy levels, sleep and ultimately recovery.

• Important that time spent away from the club is considered as a useful de-load tool for older players.

• Sessions may also be delivered at alternate venues to minimise monotony.

• Important that coaches understand and buy-in to this component of the program.

Strength, Power and Speed:

• Regular speed work including accelerations and running at max velocity need to be continually addressed and should be programed at least once a week in-season and twice a week during pre-season.

• Strength exercise prescription must be highly individualised, specific and flexible.

• Often program variables must be altered, and different methods adopted in order to achieve small gains in strength and power.

• Consideration must be given to factors such as lumbar spine load, dynamic ground contacts, gains in lean muscle mass and neuromuscular fatigue.

• In-season game stress will often dictate that activation, stability and mobility exercises are programed early in the week with heavy resistance and power exercises completed later in the week when the player is fresh and can complete the session with good quality.

• Explosive exercises will ideally involve minimal lower body joint stress from landing, with bounding, hopping and jumping kept to a minimum.

  • Exercises such as box jumps (and variations of box jumps) are perfect as they minimise joint stress due to the soft landing.

Injury Prevention:

• The older an athlete gets, the more the program focus needs to shift from performance to body maintenance and injury prevention.

• Soft tissue integrity must continually be addressed, with particular attention given to hamstring and calf strength and the minimisation of bilateral deficits.

• Interventions aimed at addressing tendon pathology must initially target pain reduction through the use of isometric exercises followed by functional strengthening including kinetic chain deficits and movement patterns.

• Symptomatic tendons must be monitored closely as they can react up to 24 hours following activity.

• This information should always guide training load prescription and dictate if potential interventions are required.