Have you ever wondered just how much distance professional athletes cover during a single game? Whether it’s a midfielder sprinting down the field, a basketball player constantly cutting and pivoting, or an AFL star pushing their endurance to the limit, different sports require varying levels of movement and stamina. Thanks to advanced modern GPS tracking devices such as SmarTracks, we now have accurate insights into how far athletes travel during a match. So, let’s explore how different sports compare and which athletes cover the greatest distances.
AFL – Elite Endurance on the Field
Australian Rules Football demands incredible endurance, with players covering some of the longest distances in professional sports. On average, an AFL player runs between twelve to twenty kilometres per game, with midfielders clocking up the highest distances. Some players, like those on the wing, constantly run to create space and provide attacking opportunities. With a large playing field and continuous action, AFL players are among the fittest athletes in the world.
NRL – Explosive Power Over Shorter Distances
Rugby league players rely more on explosive power and short bursts of high-intensity running rather than sustained endurance. The average NRL player runs six to eight kilometres per game, with backs covering slightly more ground than forwards.
Forwards focus on heavy contact, tackling, and short sprints, while outside backs and halves engage in longer runs, defensive movements, and attacking plays. The stop-start nature of rugby league means that acceleration, agility, and strength are just as important as distance covered.
Tennis – Constant Movement Over a Small Court
The distance travelled in a tennis match depends on the length of play, with elite players covering an estimated three to five kilometres per match. Players constantly move across the baseline, sprint forward for net volleys, and reposition themselves for returns. During the longest recorded tennis match at Wimbledon in 2010, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut each ran approximately six kilometres over eleven hours of play.
Basketball – Non-Stop Sprinting on the Court
Basketball players may play on a small court compared to AFL or soccer, but their movement is relentless. The average NBA player covers around four to five kilometres per game, with some players reaching over six kilometres depending on their position. Guards typically travel the furthest, as they are involved in both offensive and defensive plays, while centres move less due to their focus on positioning near the basket.
Hockey – The Fastest Game on Foot
Hockey players cover nine to eleven kilometres per match, making it one of the highest endurance sports. The continuous movement, rapid transitions, and short sprints place huge demands on players, requiring a balance of speed, stamina, and agility.
Since hockey fields are large, midfielders often travel the most distance, closely followed by strikers and defenders. With a fast-paced game requiring near-constant movement, hockey players rank among the top endurance athletes.
Pushing Athletic Limits
Understanding the distances travelled by athletes provides valuable insight into the physical demands of professional sports. Whether it’s an AFL midfielder covering twenty kilometres per game, an NRL forward powering through high-intensity bursts, or a tennis player sprinting for every point, each sport presents unique endurance challenges.
With advances in sports science, training techniques, and tracking technology, athletes continue to push the boundaries of human performance. No matter the sport, elite players must train for both endurance and explosive power, ensuring they are always ready to perform at their peak.