Movement characteristics of international and elite domestic netball players during match-play

Abstract

This study quantified and compared the movement characteristics of elite domestic and international netball match-play, including fifteen individual players who compete at both levels. Microtechnology data were collected across 75 matches in a league-wide study from players (n = 113) competing in the Netball Superleague (elite domestic) and from international players (n = 23) in 22 international matches. Players were categorised according to the seven playing positions. Accelerometer-derived variables were analysed per whole-match and per quarter, for both absolute (i.e. volume) and relative to duration (i.e. intensity [per minute]) values. The median playing duration ranged across positions from 23.6 to 42.4 minutes at international and 31.6 to 48.1 minutes at domestic level. International matches were greater than elite domestic competition for relative variables across all positions. Moderate to large effect sizes (1.00–1.50) were found between playing levels for PlayerLoadTM per minute (AU·min−1). Significant decreases in both absolute and relative variables were observed across quarters for both competition levels. The movement characteristics are position dependent, with greater absolute characteristics at domestic level across whole-match analysis, but greater relative characteristics at international level. These findings provide practitioners with information to guide training prescription, return-to-play protocols, and transitioning athletes between levels of competition.