Lois Mackay

A base of high-quality research is necessary for developing robust literature, and is required before advancing to more complex research. In applied sports settings, practitioners can apply research to practice to support athlete development (e.g., physical preparation). Although netball is among the most popular women’s sports, a limited literature base currently exists in comparison to other team sports. Therefore, this thesis aims to contribute to building the foundation of netball literature, focused on the characteristics of netball match-play. This thesis includes four studies which 1) develop a framework of descriptors and definitions for netball literature and practice, 2/3) assess the reliability and validity of a commonly used microtechnology device in court-sports, and 4) quantify and compare the movement characteristics of elite domestic and international level match-play. Using a Delphi consensus method, study 1 established 25 physical, 29 technical and 41 contextual descriptors and definitions to standardise netball terminology. Studies 2 and 3 identified only inertial movement analysis (IMA) detected jump events and PlayerLoadTM variables are recommended for use in court-sports, following the reliability and validity analysis. The IMA event algorithm for detecting accelerations, decelerations and change-of-direction (COD) events was limited in female court-sport athletes and requires further development. Study 4 observed differences in match-play movement characteristics between competition levels and playing positions. Intensity metrics (e.g., PlayerLoad per minute) were greater at the international level, whereas volume metrics (e.g., PlayerLoadTM) were greater at the domestic level, suggesting that practitioners should focus on match-play intensity when transitioning players from domestic to international competition. Advanced analysis also identified individual variations in movement characteristics for players competing at both levels, supporting more individualised training. In conclusion this thesis develops a framework to support the standardisation of terminology in netball literature and practice, provides guidance on the recommended metrics for quantifying court-sport movement characteristics, and establishes these movement characteristics of elite domestic and international level netball match-play, contributing to the foundation of netball literature.

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.

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in head acceleration event (HAE) incidence between training and match‐play in women's and men's players competing at the highest level of domestic rugby union globally. Players from Women's (Premiership Women's Rugby, Farah Palmer Cup) and Men's (Premiership Rugby, Currie Cup) rugby union competitions wore instrumented mouthguards during matches and training sessions during the 2022/2023 seasons. Peak linear (PLA) and angular (PAA) acceleration were calculated from each HAE and included within generalized linear mixed‐effects models. The incidence of HAEs was significantly greater in match‐play compared to training for all magnitude thresholds in both forwards and backs, despite players spending approximately 1.75–2.5 times more time in training. For all HAEs (PLA > 5 g and PAA > 400 rad/s2), incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for match versus training ranged from 2.80 (95% CI: 2.38–3.30; men's forwards) to 4.00 (3.31–4.84; women's forwards). At higher magnitude thresholds (PLA > 25 g; PAA > 2000 rad/s2), IRRs ranged from 3.64 (2.02–6.55; PAA > 2000 rad/s2 in men's backs) to 11.70 (6.50–21.08; PAA > 2000 rad/s2 in women's forwards). Similar trends were observed in each competition. Players experienced significantly more HAEs during match‐play than training, particularly at higher magnitude thresholds. Where feasible, HAE mitigation strategies may have more scope for HAE reduction if targeted at match‐play, particularly where higher magnitude HAEs are the primary concern. However, the number of HAEs associated with different training drills requires exploration to understand if HAEs can be reduced in training, alongside optimizing match performance (e.g., enhancing contact technique).

This two-part study evaluated the inter- and intra-unit reliability of Catapult Vector S7 microtechnology units in an indoor court-sport setting. In part-one, 27 female netball players completed a controlled movement series on two separate occasions to assess the inter- and intra-unit reliability of inertial movement analysis (IMA) variables (acceleration, deceleration, changes of direction and jumps). In part-two, 13 female netball players participated in 10 netball training sessions to assess the inter-unit reliability of IMA and PlayerLoadTM variables. Participants wore two microtechnology units placed side-by-side. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and typical error (TE). Total IMA events showed good inter-unit reliability during the movement series (ICC, 1.00; CV, 3.7%) and training sessions (ICC, 0.99; CV, 4.5%). Inter-unit (ICC, 0.97; CV, 4.7%) and intra-unit (ICC, 0.97; CV, 4.3%) reliability for total IMA jump count was good in the movement series, with moderate CV (7.7%) during training. Reliability decreased when IMA counts were categorised by intensity and movement type. PlayerLoadTM (ICC, 1.00; CV, 1.5%) and associated variables revealed good inter-reliability, except peak PlayerLoadTM (moderate) and PlayerLoadSLOW (moderate). Counts of IMA variables, when considered as total and low-medium counts, and PlayerLoad variables are reliable for monitoring indoor court-sports players.

Head acceleration events (HAEs) can potentially have adverse consequences for athlete brain health. In sports, in which head injuries have the highest incidence, identifying strategies to reduce HAE frequency and magnitude is a priority. Neck training is a potential strategy to mitigate against the magnitude of HAEs. This two-part study aimed to (1) systematically review the literature of neck training interventions in sport and (2) undertake an expert Delphi consensus on the best practices for neck training implementation to reduce HAEs in sport. Part I: a systematic search of four databases was undertaken from the earliest records to September 2024. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines were followed, and a quality assessment was completed using a modified Downs and Black assessment tool and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Papers were eligible if they both (1) implemented a reproducible exercise intervention targeting the neck within collision, combat or motor sport, and (2) assessed outcomes relating to either: the physical profile of the neck; head/neck injury incidence; and/or HAEs. Part II: 18 international experts, with experience in research and/or applied practice of neck exercise training, concussion and/or HAEs, reviewed the part I findings before completing a three-round Delphi consensus process. Part I included 21 papers, highlighting the heterogeneity of existing interventions. Part II resulted in 57 statements coded into five categories: contextual factors (n=17), neck training periodisation (n=12), training adaptations (n=10), neck training content (n=15) and athlete adherence (n=3). This study presents recommendations for neck exercise training aiming to reduce HAEs in sport, supporting both practice and future research.

This study aimed to establish consensus on injury risk factors in netball via a combined systematic review and Delphi method approach. A systematic search of databases (PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL) was conducted from inception until June 2023. Twenty-four risk factors were extracted from 17 studies and combined with a three-round Delphi approach to achieve consensus. In round-one, experts listed perceived risk factors for injury in netball which were combined with the risk factors identified via the systematic review. In round-two and round-three, experts rated their level of agreement with each risk factor on a 5-point Likert scale (1-strongly disagree to 5-strongly agree). Consensus was defined as 80% agreement (with <10% in disagreement). In round-three, experts also rated the priority for mitigating the risk factor (1-very low to 5-very high). Nineteen experts participated in round-one and round-two, and sixteen participated in round-three (response rate 84%). One-hundred and nine risk factors for injury were identified by the systematic review and experts combined. Sixty-one risk factors reached consensus, categorised into five groups: ‘individual characteristics’ (n=22), ‘lifestyle’ (n=11), ‘training and competition’ (n=14), ‘sport science and medical provision’ (n=6) and ‘facilities and equipment’ (n=8). ‘Poor landing technique/mechanics’ had a median (interquartile range) mitigation priority rating of 5(1), while all others had median ratings of 3-4.5. This study identifies a range of risk factors for injury, provides focus areas for injury prevention, and highlights the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to injury mitigation in netball.

Background: Body composition and bone health are important for netball from a performance and health perspective (e.g., bone stress injury), given the typical characteristics of players and demands of the game. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to quantify and compare the positional group-specific body composition and site-specific bone health outcomes of netball players and to establish within-season changes in these variables. Methods: Forty-seven female netball players (senior: n=23, under-21: n=24) from one Netball Super League (NSL) franchise participated across three seasons (2021-2023). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans were conducted four times per season. Total body, anteroposterior lumbar spine and total hip scans were performed. General and generalised linear mixed models were used to compare positional groups and age groups, and to investigate within-season changes. Results: Goal circle netball players had greater total mass and bone mass than midcourt netball players at both levels (p<0.05, effect size: moderate to very large), but not when scaled for height. Senior players had greater lean mass, bone mass, total bone mineral density and bone mineral content than under-21 players (p<0.05, effect size: moderate to very large). No group-level significant changes were observed across a playing season, but individual trends varied. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of continued physical development in the under-21 squad before progressing to a senior squad, as well as the need for individualised approaches to nutritional and training interventions that support physical development, addressing positional requirements and developmental stages. Future research should explore longitudinal body composition trajectories across career phases and multiple teams to refine normative benchmarks.