The fitness demands of Australian Football have changed dramatically over the past ten to fifteen years as the nature of the game has changed. The intensity of the game, with its emphasis on running and play on at all costs, has necessitated that greater consideration be given to the physical conditioning of the players.

Footballers today may cover over 15 kilometres per game, performing many short high intensity sprint efforts over distances of between five to thirty metres. Apart from running the player must also perform various physical activities such as kicking, marking, handballing, tackling, bumping and jumping. These actions and the running nature of the game demand players develop a number of important fitness attributes.

The following section will assist the coach in planning and implementing a complete fitness program for his team.