scholarly journals Workload, Fatigue, and Muscle Damage in an Under-20 Rugby Union Team Over an Intensified International Tournament

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Lacome ◽  
Christopher Carling ◽  
Jean-Philippe Hager ◽  
Gerard Dine ◽  
Julien Piscione
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Damage ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Exposure Group ◽  
Progressive Decrease ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Match Play

Purpose:To examine the effects of an intensified tournament on workload, perceptual and neuromuscular fatigue, and muscle-damage responses in an international under-20 rugby union team.Methods:Players were subdivided into a high-exposure group (HEG, n = 13) and a low-exposure group (LEG, n = 11) according to match-play exposure time. Measures monitored over the 19-d period included training session (n = 10) and match (n = 5) workload determined via global positioning systems and session rating of perceived exertion. Well-being scores, countermovement jump height performance, and blood creatine kinase concentrations were collected at various time points.Results:Analysis of workload cumulated across the tournament entirety for training and match play combined showed that high-speed running distance was similar between groups, while a very likely larger session rating of perceived exertion load was reported in HEG vs LEG. In HEG, high-speed activity fluctuated across the 5 successive matches, albeit with no clear trend for a progressive decrease. No clear tendency for a progressive decrease in well-being scores prior to or following matches was observed in either group. In HEG, trivial to possibly small reductions in postmatch countermovement jump performance were observed, while unclear to most likely moderate increases in prematch blood creatine kinase concentrations occurred until prior to match 4.Conclusions:The magnitude of match-to-match changes in external workload, perceptual and neuromuscular fatigue, and muscle damage was generally unclear or small. These results suggest that irrespective of exposure time to match play players generally maintained performance and readiness to play across the intensified tournament. These findings support the need for holistic systematic player-monitoring programs.

scholarly journals Internal-Training-Load Monitoring, Notational and Time-Motion Analyses, Psychometric Status, and Neuromuscular Responses in Elite Rugby Union

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Corrado Lupo ◽  
Alexandru Nicolae Ungureanu ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
Andrea Licciadi ◽  
Alberto Rainoldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Peak Force ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Time Motion ◽  
Push Up

Purpose: The present study aimed to verify if practicing tackles during rugby union training sessions would affect the players’ internal training load and acute strength loss. Method: A total of 9 male Italian Serie A rugby union players (age: 21 [2] y) were monitored by means of an integrated approach across 17 sessions, 6 with tackles (WT) and 11 with no tackles (NT). Edwards training load was quantified using heart-rate monitoring. Global positioning system devices were used to quantify the total distance and time at >20 W. Work-to-rest ratio was quantified by means of a video analysis. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the session, the players’ well-being and rating of perceived exertion were measured, respectively. The countermovement jump and plyometric push-up jump tests were performed on a force plate to record the players’ PRE–POST concentric peak force. Linear mixed models were applied to quantify the differences between WT and NT in terms of training load and PRE–POST force deltas, even controlling for other training factors. Results: The Edwards training load (estimated mean [EM]; standard error [SE]; WT: EM = 214, SE = 11.8; NT: EM = 194, SE = 11.1; P = .01) and session rating of perceived exertion (WT: EM = 379, SE = 21.9; NT: EM = 277, SE = 16.4; P < .001) were higher in WT than in NT. Conversely, no difference between the sessions emerged in the countermovement jump and plyometric push-up concentric peak force deltas. Conclusions: Although elite rugby union players’ external and internal training load can be influenced by practicing tackles, upper- and lower-limb strength seem to not be affected.

scholarly journals We know they train, but what do they do? Implications for coaches working with adolescent rugby union players

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padraic J Phibbs ◽  
Ben Jones ◽  
Gregory AB Roe ◽  
Dale B Read ◽  
Joshua Darrall-Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
School Club

Limited information is available regarding the training loads of adolescent rugby union players. One-hundred and seventy male players (age 16.1 ± 1.0 years) were recruited from 10 teams representing two age categories (under-16 and under-18) and three playing standards (school, club and academy). Global positioning systems, accelerometers, heart rate and session-rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) methods were used to quantify mean session training loads. Session demands differed between age categories and playing standards. Under-18 academy players were exposed to the highest session training loads in terms of s-RPE (236 ± 42 AU), total distance (4176 ± 433 m), high speed running (1270 ± 288 m) and PlayerLoad™ (424 ± 56 AU). Schools players had the lowest session training loads in both respective age categories. Training loads and intensities increased with age and playing standard. Individual monitoring of training load is key to enable coaches to maximise player development and minimise injury risk.

Ecological Validity and Reliability of the Rugby Sevens Simulation Protocol

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 749-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Furlan ◽  
Mark Waldron ◽  
Mark Osborne ◽  
Adrian J. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lactate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Activity Profile ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Simulation Protocol

Purpose:To assess the ecological validity of the Rugby Sevens Simulation Protocol (R7SP) and to evaluate its interday reliability.Methods:Ten male participants (20 ± 2 y, 74 ± 11 kg) completed 2 trials of the R7SP, separated by 7 d. The R7SP comprised typical running and collision activities, based on data recorded during international rugby sevens match play. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously during the R7SP, and the participants’ movements were recorded through a 20-Hz global positioning system unit. Blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were collected before and immediately after the 1st and 2nd halves of the R7SP.Results:The average activity profile was 117 ± 5 m/min, of which 27 ± 2 m/min was covered at high speed, with a calculated energetic demand of 1037 ± 581 J/kg, of which ~40% was expended at a rate above 19 W/kg. Mean HR was 88% ± 4% of maximal HR. Participants spent ~45% ± 27% of time above 90% of maximal HR (t >90%HRmax). There were no significant differences between trials, except for lactate between the halves of the R7SP. The majority of the measured variables demonstrated a between-trials coefficient of variation (CV%) lower than 5%. Blood lactate measurements (14–20% CV) and t >90%HRmax (26% CV) were less reliable variables. In most cases, the calculated moderate worthwhile change was higher than the CV%.Conclusions:The R7SP replicates the activity profile and HR responses of rugby sevens match play. It is a reliable simulation protocol that can be used in a research environment to detect systematic worthwhile changes in selected performance variables.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Training and Match-Play External and Internal Load of Elite Gaelic Football Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1756
Author(s):  
Shane Malone ◽  
Kieran Collins ◽  
Allistair McRobert ◽  
Dominic Doran
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
External Loading ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Total Distance

The current investigation quantified the training and match-play load of elite Gaelic football players across a two-season period using global positioning system technology (GPS), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and sessional rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Total weekly workload variables were collected across GPS, RPE, and sRPE across thirty-six elite Gaelic footballers (mean ± SD, age: 26 ± 5 years; height: 177 ± 8 cm; mass: 81 ± 7 kg) from one elite squad during a two-season observational period. External training load variables included: Total distance (m), High speed running (m; ≥ 17.1 km·h−1), Sprint distance (m; 22 km·h−1), Accelerations (n), Average metabolic power (W·kg−1), High-power distance (m; ≥ 25 W·kg−1). Internal load variables included: sRPE and RPE. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to understand the differences in loading patterns across phases, position, and week types when significant main effects were observed a Tukey’s post hoc test was applied and standardized effect sizes were calculated to understand the practical meaning of these differences. When total weekly loading across phases was considered total load was significantly greater in club 1 and provincial 1 with these phases showing the highest loading for players when compared to all other phases (p ≤ 0.001; ES: 2.95–7.22; very large). Furthermore, in-season 1 was greater for total loading when compared to in-season 2 and both championship phases (p ≤ 0.05; ES: 0.47–0.54; small). Total distance in training was greater during preseason 1 when compared to all other phases of the season (p ≤ 0.001; ES: 2.95–7.22; very large). During the in-season period, training based total distance was higher during provincial 1 when compared to other phases with similar trends across all measures (p ≤ 0.005). Finally, a positional profile for load measures was observed, with weekly context (match or non-match) having an impact on the internal and external loading players experienced across phases. The current data provide useful information for practitioners on the training periodization currently present within the elite Gaelic football training process. Specifically, the data provide positional profiles of loading across weekly and segmented phased of an elite Gaelic football season. These data can increase understanding as to the periods of increased and decreased loading across different phases of an elite Gaelic football season, while providing a framework for future analysis concerning Gaelic football periodization.

scholarly journals The Same Story or a Unique Novel? Within-Participant Principal-Component Analysis of Measures of Training Load in Professional Rugby Union Skills Training

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1175-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Weaving ◽  
Nicholas E. Dalton ◽  
Christopher Black ◽  
Joshua Darrall-Jones ◽  
Padraic J. Phibbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Maximal Velocity ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Individual Professional

Purpose: To identify which combination metrics of external and internal training load (TL) capture similar or unique information for individual professional players during skills training in rugby union using principal-component (PC) analysis. Methods: TL data were collected from 21 male professional rugby union players across a competitive season. This included PlayerLoad™, total distance, and individualized high-speed distance (>61% maximal velocity; all external TL) obtained from a microtechnology device (OptimEye X4; Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia) that was worn by each player and the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (internal TL). PC analysis was conducted on each individual to extract the underlying combinations of the 4 TL measures that best describe the total information (variance) provided by the measures. TL measures with PC loadings (PCL) above 0.7 were deemed to possess well-defined relationships with the extracted PC. Results: The findings show that from the 4 TL measures, the majority of an individual’s TL information (first PC: 55–70%) during skills training can be explained by session RPE (PCL: 0.72–0.95), total distance (PCL: 0.86–0.98), or PlayerLoad (PCL: 0.71–0.98). High-speed distance was the only variable to relate to the second PC (PCL: 0.72–1.00), which captured additional TL information (+19–28%). Conclusions: Findings suggest that practitioners could quantify the TL of rugby union skills training with one of PlayerLoad, total distance, or session RPE plus high-speed distance while limiting omitted information of the TL imposed during professional rugby union skills training.

scholarly journals Training and match load in professional rugby union: Do contextual factors influence the training week?

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Stephen W West ◽  
Sean Williams ◽  
Peter Tierney ◽  
Tom Batchelor ◽  
Matthew J Cross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Surface Type ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Load Effect ◽  
Multifaceted Approach

Background: Rugby union demands a multifaceted approach to training, given the multiple physical and technical attributes required to play the sport. Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the distribution of training throughout the week and investigate how this may be influenced by match-related factors. Methods: Training load data (session Rating of Perceived Exertion [sRPE], total distance and high-speed running [HSR]) were collected from six professional English rugby teams during the 2017/18 season. Five contextual factors were also recorded including: standard of opposition, competition type, result of previous fixture, surface type, and match venue. Results: The day prior to matches demonstrated the lowest training load (101 AU (95% CIs: 0-216 AU) , 1 047 m (95% CIs:1 128-1 686 m) and 59 m (95% CIs: 0-343 m), respectively), while four days prior to the match demonstrated the highest training load (464 AU (95% CIs: 350-578), 2 983 m (95% CIs: 2 704-3 262m) and 234m (95% CIs: 0-477m), respectively). Of the five contextual factors, competition type was the only variable that demonstrated greater than trivial findings, with training before European fixtures the lowest stimulus across the four different competition types. Standard of opposition, previous result, surface type and venue had only trivial effects on training load (effect sizes = -0.13 to 0.15). Conclusion: Future studies should outline the distribution of other training metrics, including contact and collision training. This study provides a multi-club evaluation that demonstrates the variety of loading strategies prior to competitive match play and highlights competition type as the most influential contextual factor impacting the average training load.

scholarly journals Influence of half-squat intensity and volume on the subsequent countermovement jump and frequency speed of kick test performance in taekwondo athletes

Kinesiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonatas Ferreira da Silva Santos ◽  
Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela ◽  
Gustavo Ribeiro da Mota ◽  
Emerson Franchini
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Practice Time

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different postactivation potentiation conditioning activities’ volumes and intensities on countermovement jump and multiple sets of high speed kicks. Nine taekwondo athletes (M±SD; age: 20.3±5.2 years; height: 177±7.2 cm; body mass: 71.8±15.3 kg; maximum dynamic half-squat 1RM: 132.8±32.5 kg and practice time: 9.6±7.2 years) participated. One control and four experimental conditions were randomly applied. Each condition was composed of warm-up, conditioning activity (half-squat: 1x3 at 50 or 90% 1RM or 3x3 at 50 or 90% 1RM), followed by a 10-minute rest interval, a countermovement jump and five sets of Frequency Speed of Kick Test. The conditions were compared using an analysis of variance with repeated measures, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test. The alpha level was set at 5%. The significant difference was found in the number of kicks among sets (F3,21;128,36=25.34; p&lt;.001; η2=.388 [small]). The rating of perceived exertion before control condition was higher than in all experimental protocols (F4,32=6.64; p=.001; η2=.454 [small]). There were no effects of volume and intensity on the variables investigated (maximum countermovement jump, mean countermovement jump, kick decrement, impact and rating of perceived exertion). Our results indicate that taekwondo athletes does not improve performance after conditioning activities of different volumes and intensities.

5 Examination of the relationship between changes in workload and changes in loaded countermovement jump during a rugby union season

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (16) ◽  
pp. 941.3-942
Author(s):  
Rob Strong ◽  
Daniel West ◽  
Joe Kupsarevic
Keyword(s):  
Peak Power ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Time To Peak ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Flight Season ◽  
Acute Changes ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundThe loaded countermovement jump (CMJ) is a variation on the normal CMJ (bodyweight-only), used routinely in sport settings as a measure of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF). Although commonplace, the CMJ variables that are most sensitive to NMF remain somewhat unclear.PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between changes in workload and changes in the loaded CMJ; specifically, to determine its suitability for assessment of NMF.MethodsEighteen professional rugby union players performed loaded CMJ tests on seven occasions over the course of thirteen weeks, during an English top-flight season. Eight CMJ variables were measured, assessing different aspects of the CMJ. Workload was measured by GPS total distance and was the sum of the previous week’s data, recorded in on-field training and match-play. Spearman’s rank-order correlations were calculated to identify the relationship between changes in workload and changes in loaded CMJ variables.ResultsNo significant relationships were found between loaded CMJ variables and workload with no lag or workload lagged one week. Significant relationships were found between workload lagged 2 weeks and flight time/contact time (FT-CT; rs=-0.35; p=0.04) and time to peak power (TtPP; rs=0.35; p=0.05).ConclusionThis study suggests loaded CMJ is not a suitable test to monitor acute changes to NMF. However, results also indicate that FT-CT and TtPP, are associated with changes in workload lagged 2-weeks. Therefore, certain CMJ variables may prove useful to help prescribe alterations to athlete training plans following periods of heavy workload.

Internal Training Load Affects Day-After-Pretraining Perceived Fatigue in Female Volleyball Players

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Alexandru Nicolae Ungureanu ◽  
Corrado Lupo ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
Paolo Riccardo Brustio
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Volleyball Players

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the internal (session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE] and Edwards heart-rate-based method) and external training load (jumps) affect the presession well-being perception on the day after (ie, +22 h), according to age and tactical position, in elite (ie, Serie A2) female volleyball training. Methods: Ten female elite volleyball players (age = 23 [4] y, height = 1.82 [0.04] m, body mass = 73.2 [4.9] kg) had their heart rate monitored during 13 team (115 individual) training sessions (duration: 101 [8] min). Mixed-effect models were applied to evaluate whether sRPE, Edwards method, and jumps were correlated (P ≤ .05) to Hooper index factors (ie, perceived sleep quality/disorders, stress level, fatigue, and delayed-onset muscle soreness) in relation to age and tactical position (ie, hitters, central blockers, opposites, and setters). Results: The results showed a direct relationship between sRPE (P < .001) and presession well-being perception 22 hours apart, whereas the relationship was the inverse for Edwards method internal training load. Age, as well as the performed jumps, did not affect the well-being perception of the day after. Finally, central blockers experienced a higher delayed-onset muscle soreness than hitters (P = .003). Conclusions: Findings indicated that female volleyball players’ internal training load influences the pretraining well-being status on the day after (+ 22 h). Therefore, coaches can benefit from this information to accurately implement periodization in a short-term perspective and to properly adopt recovery strategies in relation to the players’ well-being status.

Within-Subject Correlation Between Salivary IgA and Measures of Training Load in Elite Football Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Figueiredo ◽  
George P. Nassis ◽  
João Brito
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
External Training ◽  
Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A

Purpose: To quantify the association between salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and training load in elite football players. Methods: Data were obtained on 4 consecutive days during the preparation camp for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Saliva samples of 18 elite male football players were collected prior to breakfast. The session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and external training-load metrics from global positioning systems (GPS) were recorded. Within-subject correlation coefficients between training load and sIgA concentration, and magnitude of relationships, were calculated. Results: sIgA presented moderate to large negative correlations with s-RPE (r = −.39), total distance covered (r = −.55), accelerations (r = −.52), and decelerations (r = −.48). Trivial to small associations were detected between sIgA and distance covered per minute (r = .01), high-speed distance (r = −.23), and number of sprints (r = −.18). sIgA displayed a likely moderate decrease from day 1 to day 2 (d = −0.7) but increased on day 3 (d = 0.6). The training-load variables had moderate to very large rises from day 1 to day 2 (d = 0.7 to 3.2) but lowered from day 2 to day 3 (d = −5.0 to −0.4), except for distance per minute (d = 0.8) and sprints (unclear). On day 3, all training-load variables had small to large increments compared with day 1 (d = 0.4 to 1.5), except for accelerations (d = −0.8) and decelerations (unclear). Conclusions: In elite football, sIgA might be more responsive to training volume than to intensity. External load such as GPS-derived variables presented stronger association with sIgA than with s-RPE. sIgA can be used as an additional objective tool in monitoring football players.

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