When news broke that the AFL was discontinuing body composition assessments, including skinfold testing, in its junior talent pathways, it stirred predictable reactions from certain quarters of the sports media. Former Essendon star Matthew Lloyd exclaimed, “The world has gone mad,” while renowned player and coach Paul Roos labeled it “farcical,” insisting that skinfold tests were too insignificant to warrant elimination.
"The world's gone mad."
Matthew Lloyd and Kane Cornes react as Caroline Wilson exclusively reveals the AFL has told clubs skinfold tests will no longer be allowed to be conducted for any athletes eligible for pathways programs.#9FootyClassified | Live on 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/p8sQC3RtER
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 22, 2024
This development raises questions about whether AFL players are becoming “softer” or if there’s a valid rationale behind it.
Public vs. Private Player Weights
The decision to cease publishing player weights is rooted in the notion of respecting athletes’ privacy regarding personal information. By keeping player weights confidential, the AFL aims to foster a more discreet approach to sensitive data. Moreover, publicizing these weights can perpetuate a culture that overly emphasizes body image, potentially exacerbating pressure on athletes to maintain specific physiques, which could affect their mental well-being.
Skinfold Testing Dilemma
The AFL’s move to discontinue skinfold testing in junior pathways aligns with its commitment to prioritizing athletes’ health and well-being. While skinfold testing has long been a staple in football culture, it can have adverse effects on some athletes, leading to unhealthy relationships with food and body image, and increasing the risk of eating disorders. This risk is particularly pronounced at non-elite levels where resources and expertise for addressing such issues are limited.
Assessing Fitness: The Role of Skinfold Testing
While body composition assessments, including skinfold testing, can be valuable tools in optimizing player performance, their limitations should be acknowledged. Although lean mass and body fat distribution can impact certain performance aspects like speed and endurance, their correlation to overall football performance remains unclear. While skinfold testing can be beneficial in elite sport environments for tracking changes over time and monitoring training and nutrition interventions, its relevance in non-elite settings is debatable.
The Broader Picture: Body Image in Sport
Body image concerns are prevalent in elite sport and junior levels, fueled by performance pressures and media scrutiny, among other factors. Athletes across various sports and genders may be affected, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to athlete well-being that prioritizes mental health alongside physical fitness.
Sporting Culture Shift
Globally, there’s a growing recognition of the potential negative impacts of emphasizing body composition on athletes’ mental health. Consequently, there’s been a concerted effort to promote positive body image and holistic athlete development, with initiatives focusing on education, support, and minimizing emphasis on measures like body weight and skinfold testing.
In summary, while the AFL’s decision to move away from body testing has sparked debate, it reflects broader shifts in sporting culture toward prioritizing athletes’ well-being over traditional performance metrics.
