Elite women`s Australian Football players cover greater relative high-speed, very-high-speed and sprint distances than sub-elite and are at 9.2 greater risk of ACL injury than elite males. Better understanding of match-running allows integration of targeted running and injury prevention programs. The purpose of this review of the literature was to quantify the available research in women`s Australian Football match-play and provide information to coaches for specific match running demands and how to reduce the impact and prevalence of lower limb injuries. Suitable research was located through Primo and specific journals including Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Science and Medicine in Football and The American College of Sports Medicine for further relevant studies. In total 19 studies were included as a part of this review. Findings include greater high-speed running (elite: 18.8±6.4m·min-1; sub-elite: 13.1±3.6m·min-1), very-high speed running (elite: 4.5±2.8m·min-1; sub-elite: 3.3±1.4m·min-1), and sprint (elite: 3.8±1.3m·min-1; sub-elite: 1.9±1.3m·min-1) (9) distances in the Australian Football League Women`s (AFLW) competition compared to sub-elite competitions. No differences were found for absolute running movements including peak speed (elite: 24.9±0.6km·h-1; sub-elite: 24.7±2.1km·h-1) (9), and total distance (elite: 6825±917m; sub-elite: 6717±1170m) (8). Using skill profiles, matches were won with a greater number of possessions (P=0.040) (4) within the offensive 50m arch and uncontested possessions (P=0.022) (4) were also measures of match success. For match preparation, players should include 10-15 minutes of Injury Prevention, deceleration, agility and change of direction movements before every session and strength training should be undertaken at least two times per week all year round (1). In conclusion, this review highlights the current research available in women`s Australian Football and provides coaches and support staff with specific recommendations to put into place at training to ensure adequate preparation of athletes for match-play.
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