A Framework for the Physical Development of Elite Rugby Union Players

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant M. Duthie
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Performance Models ◽  
Elite Player ◽  
Physical Preparation

Increased professionalism in rugby has resulted in national unions developing high-performance models for elite player development, of which physical preparation is an important component, to ensure success in future years. This article presents a 5-step framework for the physical preparation of elite players in a development program. Competition movement patterns and the physical profiles of elite players are used as the basis of the framework and reinforce the repeated high-intensity nature of Rugby Union. Physical profiling highlights a player’s strengths and weaknesses in the areas of strength, speed, endurance, and body composition. These qualities need to be managed with an understanding of their interaction. This framework should be implemented within the yearly plan to ensure that benefits are maximized from the training undertaken. The success of the framework in developing elite players’ progression can be evaluated using standardized physical, performance, and competency tests.

scholarly journals Effects of long or short duration stimulus during high-intensity interval training on physical performance, energy intake, and body composition

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Domingues Alves ◽  
Gabriela Pires Salermo ◽  
Valéria Leme Gonçalves Panissa ◽  
Emerson Franchini ◽  
Monica Yuri Takito
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
High Intensity Interval Training ◽  
Duration Stimulus ◽  
High Intensity Interval

Fitness Determinants of Repeated High-Intensity Effort Ability in Elite Rugby Union Players

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Adrien Vachon ◽  
Nicolas Berryman ◽  
Iñigo Mujika ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Paquet ◽  
Laurent Bosquet
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Body Composition Assessment ◽  
Repetition Maximum ◽  
Body Strength

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness and repeated high-intensity effort (RHIE) ability in elite rugby union players, depending on playing position. Method: Thirty-nine players underwent a fitness testing battery composed of a body composition assessment, upper-body strength (1-repetition maximum bench press and 1-repetition maximum bench row), lower-body strength (6-repetition maximum back squat), and power (countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arms, and 20-m sprint), as well as aerobic fitness (Bronco test) and RHIE tests over a 1-week period. Pearson linear correlations were used to quantify relationships between fitness tests and the RHIE performance outcomes (total sprint time [TST] and percentage decrement [%D]). Thereafter, a stepwise multiple regression model was used to verify the influence of physical fitness measures on RHIE ability. Results: TST was strongly to very strongly associated to body fat (BF, r = .82, P < .01), the 20-m sprint (r = .86, P < .01), countermovement jump (r = −.72, P < .01), and Bronco test (r = .90, P < .01). These fitness outcomes were related to %D, with moderate to strong associations (.82 > ∣r∣ > .54, P < .01). By playing position, similar associations were observed in forwards, but RHIE ability was only related to the 20-m sprint in backs (r = .53, P < .05). The RHIE performance model equations were TST = 13.69 + 0.01 × BF + 0.08 × Bronco + 10.20 × 20 m and %D = −14.34 + 0.11 × BF +0.18 × Bronco − 9.92 × 20 m. These models explain 88.8% and 68.2% of the variance, respectively. Conclusion: Body composition, lower-body power, and aerobic fitness were highly related with RHIE ability. However, backs expressed a different profile than forwards, suggesting that further research with larger sample sizes is needed to better understand the fitness determinants of backs’ RHIE ability.

Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Obesity among Children and Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118
Author(s):  
Md Rizwanul Ahsan ◽  
Sabrina Makbul ◽  
Probir Kumar Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Waist To Height Ratio ◽  
Family Based

Background: Now a days unhealthy lifestyle primarily responsible for the dramatic increase obesity among children and adolescents. Objective: The purpose of the study is to see the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention to reduce obese children and adolescents. The main outcome was cardiometabolic risk based on the waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) measurement. Secondary outcomes were (1) changes in body composition; (2) adherence to a Mediterranean diet; and (3) physical performance. Methods: The study involved 64 overweight/obese children or adolescents conducted at Dhaka Shishu Hospital from October 2017 to September 2018. The intervention was multidisciplinary including nutrition, exercise, and psychological aspects based on a family-based approach; it was delivered for six months for children and three months for adolescents. Before and after the intervention, several anthropometric measures height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body composition, cardiometabolic risk index waist-to-height ratio (WHTR), and dietary habits of the participants and their families were evaluated. In addition, a set of functional motor fitness tests was performed to evaluate physical performance measures. Results: After the intervention both children and adolescents showed a significant reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and WHTR index and an improvement of fat-free mass, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical fitness performance. Conclusion: A short term family-based multidisciplinary approach is effective in ameliorating the health status, dietary habits, and physical performance in children and adolescents. DS (Child) H J 2019; 35(2) : 111-118

scholarly journals Sleep and Performance during a Preseason in Elite Rugby Union Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4612
Author(s):  
Angus R. Teece ◽  
Christos K. Argus ◽  
Nicholas Gill ◽  
Martyn Beaven ◽  
Ian C. Dunican ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Sleep Quantity ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Wrist Actigraphy ◽  
And Performance ◽  
H 30

Background: Preseason training optimises adaptations in the physical qualities required in rugby union athletes. Sleep can be compromised during periods of intensified training. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between sleep quantity and changes in physical performance over a preseason phase in professional rugby union athletes. Methods: Twenty-nine professional rugby union athletes (Mean ± SD, age: 23 ± 3 years) had their sleep duration monitored for 3 weeks using wrist actigraphy. Strength and speed were assessed at baseline and at week 3. Aerobic capacity and body composition were assessed at baseline, at week 3 and at week 5. Participants were stratified into 2 groups for analysis: <7 h 30 min sleep per night (LOW, n = 15) and >7 h 30 min sleep per night (HIGH, n = 14). Results: A significant group x time interaction was determined for aerobic capacity (p = 0.02, d = 1.25) at week 3 and for skinfolds at week 3 (p < 0.01, d = 0.58) and at week 5 (p = 0.02, d = 0.92), in favour of the HIGH sleep group. No differences were evident between groups for strength or speed measures (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights that longer sleep duration during the preseason may assist in enhancing physical qualities including aerobic capacity and body composition in elite rugby union athletes.

scholarly journals Effects of 4 Weeks of a Technique-Specific Protocol with High-Intensity Intervals on General and Specific Physical Fitness in Taekwondo Athletes: An Inter-Individual Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3643
Author(s):  
Alex Ojeda-Aravena ◽  
Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela ◽  
Pablo Valdés-Badilla ◽  
Jorge Cancino-López ◽  
José Zapata-Bastias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Specific Protocol

The aim of this research was to compare the effects of a technique-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol vs. traditional taekwondo training on physical fitness and body composition in taekwondo athletes, as well as to analyse the inter-individual response. Utilising a parallel controlled design, sixteen male and female athletes (five females and 11 males) were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) that participated in the technique-specific HIIT and a control group (CG) that participated in traditional taekwondo training. Both groups trained three days/week for four weeks. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-metre sprint (5M), 20-metre shuttle run (20MSR), taekwondo specific agility test (TSAT), multiple frequency speed of kick test (FSKTMULT), total kicks, and kick decrement index (KDI), as well as body composition were evaluated. Results indicate that there are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the factors group and time factor and group by time interaction (p > 0.05). Although percentage and effect size increases were documented for post-intervention fitness components in TSAT, total kicks, KDI, and 20MSR, responders and non-responders were also documented. In conclusion, a HIIT protocol based on taekwondo-specific technical movements does not report significant differences in fitness and body composition compared to traditional taekwondo training, nor inter-individual differences between athletes.

High-intensity Activity in European vs. National Rugby Union Games in the best 2014–2015 Team

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charly Fornasier-Santos ◽  
Gregoire P Millet ◽  
Paul Stridgeon ◽  
Olivier Girard ◽  
Franck Brocherie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Competition Level ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Running Pattern

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of competition level on running patterns for five playing position in the most successful 2014–2015 European rugby union team. Seventeen French rugby union championship and seven European rugby Champions Cup games were analysed. Global positioning system (sampling: 10 Hz) were used to determine high-speed movements, high-intensity accelerations, repeated high-intensity efforts and high-intensity micro-movements characteristics for five positional groups. During European Champions Cup games, front row forwards performed a higher number of repeated high-intensity efforts compared to National championship games (5.8±1.6 vs. 3.6±2.3; +61.1%), and back row forwards travelled greater distance both at high-speed movements (3.4±1.8 vs. 2.4±0.9 m·min-1; +41.7%) and after high-intensity accelerations (78.2±14.0 vs. 68.1 ±13.4 m; +14.8%). In backs, scrum halves carried out more high-intensity accelerations (24.7±3.1 vs. 14.8±5.0; +66.3%) whereas outside backs completed a higher number of high-speed movements (62.7±25.4 vs. 48.3±17.0; +29.8%) and repeated high-intensity efforts (13.5±4.6 vs. 9.7±4.9;  +39.2%). These results highlighted that the competition level affected the high-intensity activity differently among the five playing positions. Consequently, training programs in elite rugby should be tailored taking into account both the level of competition and the high-intensity running pattern of each playing position.

Body Mass and Body Composition Changes over 7 Years in a Male Professional Rugby Union Team

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clíodhna McHugh ◽  
Karen Hind ◽  
Aoife O'Halloran ◽  
Daniel Davey ◽  
Gareth Farrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Dxa Scans ◽  
Composition Changes

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate longitudinal body mass and body composition changes in one professional rugby union team (n=123), (i) according to position [forwards (n=58) versus backs (n=65)], analysis of players with 6 consecutive seasons of DXA scans (n=21) and, (iii) to examine differences by playing status [academy and international], over 7 years. Players [mean age: 26.8 y, body mass index: 28.9+kg.m2] received DXA scans at fourtime points within each year. A modest (but non-significant) increase in mean total mass (0.8 kg) for professional players was reflected by increased lean mass and reduced body fat mass. At all-time points, forwards had a significantly greater total mass, lean mass and body fat percentage compared to backs (p<0.05). Academy players demonstrated increased total and lean mass and decreased body fat percentage over the first 3 years of senior rugby, although this was not significant. Senior and academy international players had greater lean mass and lower body fat percentage (p<0.05) than non-international counterparts. Despite modest increases in total mass; reflected by increased lean mass and reduced fat mass, no significant changes in body mass or body composition, irrespective of playing position were apparent over 7 years.

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