It puts them at risk of decreased match performance and residual muscle damage.

Research examined the extent to which an elite football player’s muscles are recovered when entering a match.

Lead author Shannon Hunkin from Deakin University’s Centre for Exercise and Sport Science analysed the levels of creatine kinase (CK) present in players from a single AFL club at the end of each week across an entire season. CK is a known marker of muscle damage.

“The nature of elite Australian Rules football requires players to complete multiple training sessions each week prior to match day, yet in order for players to perform at optimum capacity it is crucial they are sufficiently recovered prior to competition,” Ms Hunkin said.

‘We found that across the season, the players’ average levels of pre-match CK values were five times baseline values, meaning their muscles had not sufficiently recovered from the preceding week’s game and training sessions.

“These elevated levels were then significantly associated with reduced match performance as determined by a player’s performance ranking scores and their coach’s rating of perform-ance, as well as considerable residual muscle damage in players throughout the season.

“Yet this association between elevated pre-match CK and decreased match performance was more pronounced in younger and less experienced players, while in contrast, older and more experienced players demonstrated a greater capacity to cope with inadequate recovery and exhibited stronger match performances.”

Ms Hunkin said the findings highlight the difference between experienced and inexperienced players’ ability to cope with the physical demands of elite Australian Rules football.

“This study illustrates the importance of appropriately managing young players in their first few seasons of elite competition,” Ms Hunkin said.

“Early detection of inadequate recovery can help clubs manage inexperienced players’ training loads to optimise their match preparation and performance.

“With the average life span of an AFL career just three to six years, it is vital that young players are monitored closely in their formative years to ensure their career is not cut short as a result of maladaptation or injury.”