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This study investigated the effects of reduced quarter time due to COVID-19 pandemic rule changes, on running performance and injuries in Australian Football. Microsensor data for eight matches performed by the same 17 players were compared between the 2019 (standard) and 2020 (COVID-19) seasons using linear and generalised mixed models. Injury rates were assessed in 34 players across the full 2019 season, and 32 players across the full 2020 season. The total distance (ES = 1.28 [0.55 to 2.02]), high-speed (>18 km/h) (ES = 0.44 [-0.24 to 1.12]) and very high-speed (>24 km/h) (ES = 0.27 [-0.41 to 0.94]) distances, Player-Load™ (ES = 0.96 [0.25 to 1.67]), high-intensity efforts (ES = 0.48 [-0.20 to 1.16]), and accelerations (ES = 0.33 [-0.34 to 1.01]) were smaller (p ≤ 0.01) for the 2020 than the 2019 season. Expressed relative to playing time, distance (ES=-0.38 [-1.06 to 0.30]), PlayerLoad™ (ES = -0.27 [-0.94 to 0.41]), and acceleration efforts (ES = -0.50 [-1.18 to 0.18]) were greater (p < 0.05) for the 2020 than the 2019 season. No significant differences in maximum ball-in-play periods nor the difference between the 1st and 4th quarters were evident. Injury rates remained similar between 2019 (3.36 per game) and 2020 (3.55 per game). However, the proportion of injuries that led to lost time (missed games) was greater for the 2020 (38%) than 2019 season (24%. The changes in the rules had a profound impact on player performance and increased the likelihood of time loss injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the recent growth of the professional status among multiple female football codes, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of contextual factors on activity profiles and pacing strategies in female Australian football (AF) players. Thirty-five female AF players participated in this study. Global positioning system analysis was completed over 1 competitive season. Matches were separated into eight 10-minute periods. Greater distances were covered during the first half irrespective of playing position (effect size [ES] = 0.39--0.50, Likelihood ≥90%). Throughout a number of periods half-backs (defensive players) covered greater distances during losses (ES ≥ 0.74, Likelihood ≥92%) and against top 3 opponents (ES ≥ 1.0, Likelihood ≥97%). Midfielders and half-backs covered greater distances (ES ≥ 0.49, Likelihood ≥89%) in the final match period in winning compared with losing matches. A reduction in player work rate is evident during the second half of matches. The influence of contextual factors varied across positional groups. However, it is clear that coaches could use player rotation both early in the match in an attempt to delay the effect of fatigue and more frequently during the second half to increase running intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses an analysis of the activity profile of lacrosse match-play using microtechnology. Topics include characteristics of lacrosse, such as high-intensity activity, collisions, and rapid changes in direction, the assessment of activity profile variables relative to minutes of playing time, including distance spent walking, standing, and jogging, and the authors' recommendation that coaches accommodate for positional differences when preparing lacrosse players for competition.

Walking as an out-of-home mobility activity is recognised for its contribution to healthy and active ageing. The environment can have a powerful effect on the amount of walking activity undertaken by older people, thereby influencing their capacity to maintain their well-being and independence. This paper reports the findings from research examining the experiences of neighbourhood walking for 12 older people from six different inner-city high density suburbs, through analysis of data derived from travel diaries, individual time/space activity maps (created via global positioning systems (GPS) tracking over a seven-day period and geographic information system (GIS) technology), and in-depth interviews. Reliance on motor vehicles, the competing interests of pedestrians and cyclists on shared pathways and problems associated with transit systems, public transport, and pedestrian infrastructure emerged as key barriers to older people venturing out of home on foot. GPS and GIS technology provide new opportunities for furthering understanding of the out-of-home mobility of older populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article explores temporal variability, referred to as temporal dynamics, in the movement patterns of tourists. Circular statistics were used to compute circular mean times and dispersions for different groups of tourists using data collected with Global Positioning, Systems receivers at Port Campbell national Park in Victoria, Australia over a 2-day period. The results indicate that there is a tendency for tourists to visit the site around noon. The differences in the circular mean times competed for different regions and for different types of tourist are not significant. Nonetheless, kernel density estimation plots enabled variability, exhibited in terms of peak time and mentality in patterns of visitor use, to be detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]