Enhancing Performance and Preventing Injuries: The Importance of Pre-Season Screenings in AFL
Jordan Wilson, APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist
Head Physiotherapist East Perth Football Club & WA State AFLW Academy
As the pre-season excitement builds up for East Perth FC, Jordan Wilson at WA SportsMed Physio is diligently working behind the scenes to ensure the players are in prime condition for the upcoming season. Over the past month, senior players have been undergoing their annual pre-season screenings, a crucial step in optimizing performance and minimizing injury risks.
Why Screenings Matter:
- Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: Through comprehensive screenings, the physiotherapy team can pinpoint areas of strength and weakness in each player. This invaluable insight allows for tailored exercises to be prescribed, aiming to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injuries.
- Addressing Asymmetries: Detecting any significant differences in strength or flexibility between limbs is essential. Even if a past injury seems to have healed, residual issues may persist, increasing the risk of re-injury. By addressing these asymmetries, players can minimize the chances of setbacks on the field.
- Establishing Baseline Data: In the unfortunate event of an injury, having baseline data becomes instrumental in the rehabilitation process. By comparing strength and flexibility levels to pre-injury standards, the goal is to facilitate a safe and effective return to play.
The Screening Tools:
Crafting a screening tool tailored to the unique demands of Australian Rules Football (AFL) presents its challenges. However, Jordan has devised a 15-test battery encompassing flexibility, strength, and functional assessments, including specialized tests designed specifically for AFL players.
- Tailored Approach:
Each player's screening protocol is meticulously tailored based on various factors such as injury history, previous screening results, and playing position. This personalized approach ensures that the selected tests align with individual needs, maximizing the effectiveness of the screening process.
- Efficiency in Action:
The testing day unfolds with precision and efficiency, thanks to a streamlined process orchestrated by the dedicated medical team. With multiple stations set up and a systematic approach in place, the team can efficiently screen numerous players within a limited timeframe, ensuring minimal disruption to the pre-season preparations.
What do we screen?
AFL is an extremely dynamic sport and requires high levels of strength and flexibility in the legs, arms and trunk. Creating an efficient and effective testing battery to address every area can be challenging, but Jordan has definitely acomplished that.
The 15 test battery he used, consists of:
- 5 flexibility tests
1. 90/90: Hamstring flexibility: < 30°off extension
2. SLR: Neural flexibility: >60° from neutral
3. Thomas Test: Hip flexor and rec fem flexibility: >10° hip extension and >90° knee flexion
4. Knee to wall: Ankle dorsiflexion: >8cm
5. Combined shoulder IR + ER: Shoulder flexibility: >180°
- 5 strength tests
6. Prone knee bend (on VALD Force Frame): Hamstring: >300N
7. Supine “kicker” (on VALD Force Frame): Rec fem: >250N
8. Groin squeeze (with sphygmomanometer): Adductors: >220mmhg
9. Single leg calf raise in A stance: Calf: >20reps
10. ASH Test (on VALD HHD): Shoulder: I >165N, Y >125N, T > 110N
- 4 functional tests
11. Counter-movement jump (on VALD Force plates): jump height >35cm
12. Single leg drop jump: Subjectively good alignment and power
13. Forward hop (single leg broad jump): >1.1x height
14. 30s side hop test: >55 repetitions
⭐ 1 special test
15. FABER/FADIR: Hip irritability/reduced ROM: No pain + symmetrical
A reduction in strength, flexibility, or pain during a task may indicate a risk of injury, which, if identified and addressed, will hopefully result in fewer games missed and better performance!
Each player will undergo 8-10 tests, depending on injury history, playing position, and previous screening results. On testing day, 5 stations are set up with 2-4 tests at each station, and my amazing medical team and I spend 6 minutes per player smashing out our designated tests. This allows us to screen 30 players in a 3-hour window.
Pre-season screenings serve as a cornerstone in the journey towards peak performance and injury prevention for WAFL athletes. By investing in these proactive measures, teams like East Perth FC are not only gearing up for success on the field but also prioritizing the long-term well-being of their players.
Do not hesitate to contact us at info@wasportsmed.com.au to book your own or your team screening. We are here to support you along the whole journey.