scholarly journals Relationship Between 2 Standardized Tackling Proficiency Tests and Rugby League Match-Play Tackle Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 770-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J.A. Speranza ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
David A. Greene ◽  
Rich D. Johnston ◽  
Andrew D. Townshend
Keyword(s):  
Rank Order ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Spearman Rank Order Correlation ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between 2 different assessments of tackling ability, physical qualities, and match-play performance in semiprofessional rugby league players. A total of 18 semiprofessional rugby league players (mean [SD]: age = 23.1 [2.0] y and body mass = 98.8 [11.8] kg) underwent tests of upper- and lower-body strength and power. Tackling ability was assessed using video analysis of under- and over-the-ball tackle drills. A total of 2360 tackles were analyzed from match play. Over-the-ball tackle ability was positively related to the proportion of dominant tackles (Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients [rs] = .52; 95% confidence interval [CI] .07–.79, P = .03) and average play-the-ball speeds (rs = .50; 95% CI .04–.78, P = .03) and negatively related to tackles that conceded offloads (rs = −.55; 95% CI −.78 to .04, P = .04). Under-the-ball tackle ability was significantly related to the proportion of dominant tackles (rs = .57; 95% CI .14–.82, P = .01) and missed tackles (rs = −.48; 95% CI −.77 to .02, P = .05). Good over-the-ball tacklers performed proportionally more dominant tackles, allowed significantly fewer offloads, and had longer average play-the-ball speeds. Good under-the-ball tacklers missed proportionately fewer tackles. This study suggests that both the under-the-ball and over-the-ball standardized tackle assessments are associated with varying indicators of match-play tackle performance and justifies the practical utility of these tests to assess and develop both types of tackles.

scholarly journals Influence of Physical Characteristics and Match Outcome on Technical Errors During Rugby League Match Play

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1043-1049
Author(s):  
Rich D. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Bayes Factor ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Technical Errors ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: To explore the relationship between technical errors during rugby league games, match success, and physical characteristics. Methods: A total of 27 semiprofessional rugby league players participated in this study (24.8 [2.5] y, 183.5 [5.3] cm, 97.1 [11.6] kg). Aerobic fitness, strength, and power were assessed prior to the start of the competitive season before technical performance was tracked during 22 competitive fixtures. Attacking errors were determined as any error that occurred in possession of the ball that resulted in a handover to the opposition. Defensive errors included line breaks, penalties, and missed or ineffective tackles. Match outcome, the zone on the field in which each error occurred, and the number of errors in an error chain (≤60 s between errors) were assessed. Results: During a loss, there were more defensive errors in the 0- to 40-m zone than when a match was won (effect size = 0.99 [0.04–1.94]). Error chains were a predictor of conceding a try (P = .0001, r2 = .22), with the odds ratio increasing to 2.33 when there were 7 errors per chain. High lower-body strength was associated with fewer defensive errors for backs (Bayes factor = 3.67) and forwards (Bayes factor = 19.31); relative bench press was also important for backs (Bayes factor = 3.21). Conclusions: Fewer defensive errors occur in the 0- to 40-m zone during winning matches; lower-body strength is strongly associated with fewer defensive errors in rugby league players.

Relationship Between a Standardized Tackling Proficiency Test and Match-Play Tackle Performance in Semiprofessional Rugby League Players

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 754-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J.A. Speranza ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
Rich D. Johnston ◽  
Jeremy M. Sheppard
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Proficiency Test ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Lower Proportion ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Median Split ◽  
Lower Body Strength

Purpose: This study examined the relationships between tackling ability, playing position, muscle strength and power qualities, and match-play tackling performance in semiprofessional rugby league players. Methods: Sixteen semiprofessional rugby league players (mean ± SD age 23.8 ± 1.9 y) underwent tests for muscle strength and power. Tackling ability of the players was tested using video analysis of a standardized 1-on-1 tackling drill. After controlling for playing position, players were divided into “good tackler” or “poor tackler” groups based on the median split of the results of the 1-on-1 tackling drill. A total of 4547 tackles were analyzed from video recordings of 23 matches played throughout the season. Results: Maximal squat was significantly associated with tackling ability (rS = .71, P < .05) and with the proportion of dominant tackles (rS = .63, P < .01). Forwards performed more tackles (P = .013, ES = 1.49), with a lower proportion of missed tackles (P = .03, ES = 1.38) than backs. Good tacklers were involved in a larger proportion of dominant tackles and smaller proportion of missed tackles than poor tacklers. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that lower-body strength contributes to more effective tackling performance during both a standardized tackling assessment and match play. Furthermore, players with good tackling ability in a proficiency test were involved in a higher proportion of dominant tackles and missed a smaller proportion of tackles during match play. These results provide further evidence of the practical utility of an off-field tackling assessment in supplying information predictive of tackling performance in competition.

scholarly journals Influence of Playing Standard on Upper- and Lower-Body Strength, Power, and Velocity Characteristics of Elite Rugby League Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. T. Fernandes ◽  
Matthew Daniels ◽  
Liam Myler ◽  
Craig Twist
Keyword(s):  
Bench Press ◽  
Peak Velocity ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Power ◽  
Level Resistance

Background: To compare load–velocity and load–power relationships among first grade (n = 26, age 22.9 ± 4.3 years), academy (n = 23, age 17.1 ± 1.0 years), and scholarship (n = 16, age 15.4 ± 0.5 years) Super League rugby league players. Methods: Participants completed assessments of maximal upper- and lower-body strength (1RM) and peak velocity and power at 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg during bench press and squat exercises, in a randomised order. Results: Bench press and squat 1RM were highest for first grade players compared with other standards (effect size (ES) = −0.43 to −3.18). Peak velocities during bench and squat were greater in the higher playing standards (ES = −0.39 to −3.72 range), except for the squat at 20 and 40 kg. Peak power was higher in the better playing standards for all loads and exercises. For all three groups, velocity was correlated to optimal bench press power (r = 0.514 to 0.766), but only 1RM was related to optimal power (r = 0.635) in the scholarship players. Only squat 1RM in the academy was related to optimal squat power (r = 0.505). Conclusions: Peak velocity and power are key physical qualities to be developed that enable progression from junior elite rugby league to first grade level. Resistance training should emphasise both maximal strength and velocity components, in order to optimise upper- and lower-body power in professional rugby league players.

scholarly journals The relationship between second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), muscle strength and body composition to bone mineral density in young women

Kinesiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-245
Author(s):  
Hamid Arazi ◽  
Ehsan Eghbali
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship

2D:4D ratio is determined by balance between androgens and estrogens. Low level estrogen reduces bone mineral density (BMD) and incurs negative changes to bone microarchitecture, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and, as a consequence, fracture risk in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 2D:4D, muscle strength and body composition to BMD in young women. One hundred twenty-seven young women (age range 24-36 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Lengths of the second (index) and fourth (ring) fingers, upper and lower body strength and body composition (body mass index, BMI; waist to hip ratio, WHR) and body fat percentage were estimated. Also, blood levels of calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were evaluated and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device was used to measure BMD in the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). The results showed that digit ratios, upper body and lower body muscle strength, BMI and fat percentage had a positive relationship with LS and FN BMD (LS BMD: r=.47, r=.56, r=.46, r=.34, r=.28, p≤.001, respectively; FN BMD: r=.34, r=.49, r=.51, r=.45, r=.27, p≤.001, respectively). In addition, there was no significant relationship between WHR and BMD of LS and FN (p˃.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed the upper body strength was a stronger determinant of LS BMD and the lower body strength was a stronger determinant of FN BMD. Based on the results, the researchers concluded that upper and lower body strength, 2D:4D ratios and BMI were important determinants of young women’s BMD. Also, it seemed that some of these factors may be able to help predicting the osteoporosis potential in young women

Longitudinal Strength, Power, and Push-Start Performance Changes in a Skeleton Athlete: Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Tim J. Mosey ◽  
Lachlan J.G. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Linear Model ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Start Time ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Longitudinal Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to document the longitudinal strength and power characteristic changes and race performance changes of a skeleton athlete. Method: Longitudinal strength and power changes were assessed with strength and power diagnostic testing over a 9-year period. Trends over 9 years for relative strength were analyzed using a linear model. Push-start time was recorded across multiple tracks. Trends over 9 years for start performance at each track were assessed using a mixed-effects linear model to account for the impact of different tracks. Lower-body strength and power changes were assessed via a 1-repetition-maximum squat and a body-weight countermovement jump. The relationship between strength and power changes was assessed over time. The relationship between strength changes and start performance was determined by assessing the fixed effect of relative strength changes on push-start time. Results: Relative lower-body strength ranged from 1.6 kg per body weight to 1.9 kg per body weight and showed a significant mean improvement of 0.05 kg per body weight per year (R2 = .71, P < .01). A negative correlation (R2 = .79) between relative strength changes and push-start performance across multiple tracks was found. The mixed-effects model indicated that push-start time improved significantly year to year (0.02 s; P < .001; R2 = .74) when controlling for the effect of track. Conclusions: The longitudinal analysis of push-start time and the associations with changes in strength suggest that training this quality can have a positive effect on push-start performance.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOWER BODY STRENGTH AND POWER IN RESISTANCE TRAINED ATHLETES

1999 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S77
Author(s):  
A. Caterisano ◽  
C. W. Brown ◽  
L. P. Thurmond ◽  
D. R. Perkins ◽  
K. B. Linn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals An Alternative Test of Tackling Ability in Rugby League Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J.A. Speranza ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
David A. Greene ◽  
Rich D. Johnston ◽  
Andrew D. Townshend ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Ability Tests ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
Push Up

This study investigated the relationship between 2 tests of tackling ability, muscle strength, and power in semiprofessional rugby league players. Thirty-one players, 19 first-grade and 12 second-grade, underwent tests of muscle strength (1-repetition-maximum bench press, chin-up, and squat) and power (plyometric push-up and countermovement jump). Tackling ability was assessed via video analysis of under-and over-the-ball tackle drills. The first-grade players had significantly greater scores in both the under-the-ball (P = .03, effect size [ES] = 0.84, 95% CI 0.07–1.50) and over-the-ball tackling-ability tests (P < .001, ES =1.86, 95% CI 0.83–2.52) than the second-grade players. A large, significant relationship was found between under- and over-the-ball tackling ability (r = .55, 95% CI .24–.76, P = .001). Lower-body strength (r = .37, 95% CI .02–.64, P = .04) was moderately associated with under-the-ball tackling ability, whereas over-the-ball tackling ability was moderately associated with plyometric push-up performance (r = .39, 95% CI .04–.65, P = .03). This study found that over-the-ball tackling ability was significantly associated with under-the-ball tackling in semiprofessional rugby league players. Furthermore, it was found that, compared with the second-grade players, the first-grade players had superior tackle ability in both tackle drills. In this study it was observed that plyometric push-up peak power was significantly related to over-the-ball tackling ability and absolute lower-body strength was associated with under-the-ball tackling ability. These findings provide skill coaches and strength and conditioning staff a greater understanding of elements that contribute to effective tackling ability.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document