Agility is essential to success in Australian football (AF). However, the nature of agility events in competition is currently unknown. This study analysed in-game 1v1 agility events to identify the movement and cognitive demands of agility in elite AF. The study described the technique, the angle of change of direction (COD), and the approach speed. Cognitive demands were inferred by recording inter-athlete position and deceptive manoeuvres. Findings revealed sidestepping to be commonly used for both attacking and defending athletes. However, attacking athletes were substantially more likely to use the sidestep technique than their defending counterparts (74% vs 39% of the time). Analysis of movement speeds indicated a preference for submaximal approaches. Further, the movement technique was varied, with the angle of directional change particularly diverse. Overall, the notational analysis indicates a need for agility training and testing that reflects in-game agility demands. To achieve this, training and testing must allow for submaximal movement speeds, context-specific techniques, and the use of deceptive manoeuvres. Field-based or subjective assessment methods are proposed as viable testing alternatives. Further, the effectiveness of recorded deceptive actions suggests that athletes should be provided with training opportunities to practice fake disposals and fake CODs.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of contextual variables related to team performance, individual performance and scheduling on the external training load placed upon professional basketball players following a won compared to a lost game. Fifteen male professional basketball players from a single club competing in the Australia's top tier National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2023/2024 season participated in this study. Total player load, peak player load, player load per minute and the work to rest ratio derived from accelerometry were measures of external player load used in the analysis. Linear mixed models with the match outcome (win/loss), expected margin vs. outcome, days between games, and player efficiency as fixed effects, and player ID as a random intercept were employed. A statistically significant (p = 0.001) 62.46 au difference in total player load was observed following a win compared to a loss. However, when considering the random effects of an individual, individual performance, team performance and scheduling as fixed effects, a non-significant (p = 0.086) difference was observed with the individual player being the most influential variable. There were no statistically significant differences in peak player load (p = 0.734), player load per minute (p = 0.281), and the work to rest ratio (p = 0.782) following a win compared to a loss. The external training load prescribed to professional basketball players is highly individualized. Practitioners monitoring the training demands of players should consider the influence of individual factors when designing training.

Introduction: This exploratory study aimed to assess the relationship between athlete neuromuscular performance and rugby performance indicators. Specifically, the study looked at the force-velocity profiles (FVPs) derived from four common resistance exercises and their relationship with rugby performance indicators (RPIs).Methods: The study recruited twenty-two semi-professional male rugby players (body mass 102.5 ± 12.6 kg, height 1.85 ± 0.74 m, age 24.4 ± 3.4 years) consisting of ten backs and twelve forwards. Prior to the first game of a Covid-impacted nine-match season, participants performed four common resistance exercises (barbell box squat, jammer push-press, sled pull, and sled push) at incremental loads to establish force-velocity profiles. During the season, rugby performance indicators (post-contact metres, tries, turnovers conceded, tackles, try assists, metres ran, defenders beaten, and tackle breaks) were collated from two trusted sources by a performance analyst. Correlational analyses were used to determine the relationship between the results of FVPs and RPIs.Results: The study found a statistically significant, moderate, positive correlation between tackle-breaks and sled push V₀ (r = .35, p = .048). Significant, large, positive correlations were also found between tackles and jammer push-press V₀ (r = .53, p = .049) and tackle-breaks and sled pull F₀ (r = .53, p = .03). There was a significant, negative relationship between sled pull V₀ and tackle-breaks (r = −.49, p = .04). However, the largest, significant correlation reported was between metres ran and sled pull F₀ (r = .66, p = .03).Conclusion: The study suggests that a relationship may exist between FVPs of particular exercises and RPIs, but further research is required to confirm this. Specifically, the results suggest that horizontal resistance training may be best to enhance RPIs (tackle-breaks, tackles, and metres ran). The study also found that maximal power was not related to any rugby performance indicator, which suggests that a specified prescription of either force or velocity dominant exercises to enhance RPIs may be warranted.

The paramedic role is physically demanding, yet limited attention has been given to how paramedicine students are physically prepared for practice within tertiary education programmes. The extent to which physical fitness standards and training are embedded in curricula, professional registration requirements or pre-employment testing remains unclear. This review explored how paramedicine students are physically prepared within tertiary education and whether student fitness levels meet the demands of the paramedic role in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland and Canada. A scoping review was conducted and reported following guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, ERIC, Emcare and Informit) and grey literature sources (university handbooks, policy documents and online domains) were searched, with searches completed in June 2025. Curriculum documentation from 51 universities, two organisation or college documents and nine relevant studies were analysed. Four universities (one in Australia and three in South Africa) in the six countries (Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and South Africa) included in the review clearly embedded physical fitness training in their curricula. Most Australian institutions addressed fitness only as a requirement of work-integrated learning (WIL), typically mandated by placement providers. Internationally, South African programmes integrated sequenced physical preparation within curricula, while UK and Irish programmes applied entry screening prior to enrolment with manual handling training integrated within curricula. One study found that student fitness levels were comparable to the general population, but there is inconsistent data whether they meet all of the essential job demands of the paramedic role. There is limited and inconsistent integration of physical fitness information and preparation in paramedicine education. Embedding structured physical readiness frameworks into curricula may improve student support and preparedness for WIL. Future research should investigate validated physical fitness standards and strategies to ensure student readiness for the physical demands of the paramedic role.

Introduction: Paramedics are at high risk of musculoskeletal injuries associated with the physical demands of the role. Paramedic physical fitness is an important requirement to complete the essential daily tasks of the role and potentially reduce injury risk. However, it is unclear what the specific fitness requirements should be across many ambulance services and how to assess or prepare for them. Objective: This scoping review explored the existing evidence in relation to paramedic physical fitness and the physical fitness testing and standards required by ambulance services in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland and Canada for the paramedic role. Methods: A scoping review was conducted and reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ERIC, Emcare, Informit) and grey literature sources (organisational documents) were searched, with searches completed October 2025. Results: Paramedics are reported to have poorer general health when compared to the average population despite a physically demanding role. Sixty-six organisational documents were reviewed as part of this scoping review. Most ambulance services required candidates to complete some form of pre-employment physical fitness test. No ambulance service identified required regular, ongoing physical fitness testing for all its paramedics. Each pre-employment physical fitness test identified was unique in its format, with five of the eight sourced test protocol documents including a musculoskeletal assessment, six including a strength assessment, and five including a cardiovascular fitness assessment. Conclusion: By prioritising, supporting and accurately assessing the physical health and fitness of paramedics, organisations can enhance job performance readiness and potentially reduce injury rates or injury risk. The integration of evidence-based practices in physical fitness testing and training will be crucial in shaping the future of the paramedic profession.

Introduction: Paramedics are at high risk of musculoskeletal injuries associated with the physical demands of the role. Paramedic physical fitness is an important requirement to complete the essential daily tasks of the role and potentially reduce injury risk. It is unclear what the specific fitness requirements should be across many ambulance services and how to assess or prepare for them. Objective: This scoping review explored the existing evidence in relation to paramedic physical fitness, testing and standards required by ambulance services in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada. Methods: A scoping review was conducted and reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ERIC, Emcare, and Informit) and grey literature sources (organisational documents) were searched, with searches completed in October 2025. Results: Paramedics are reported to have poorer general health when compared to the average population despite a physically demanding role. Most ambulance services require candidates to complete some form of pre-employment physical fitness test. No ambulance service identified required regular, ongoing physical fitness testing for all its paramedics. Each pre-employment physical fitness test identified was unique in its format. Conclusions: By prioritising, supporting and accurately assessing the physical health and fitness of paramedics, organisations can enhance job performance readiness and potentially reduce injury rates or injury risk.