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

Author(s):  
Corrado Lupo ◽  
Alexandru Nicolae Ungureanu ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
Andrea Licciadi ◽  
Alberto Rainoldi ◽  
...  

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.

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Lacome ◽  
Christopher Carling ◽  
Jean-Philippe Hager ◽  
Gerard Dine ◽  
Julien Piscione

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.


Author(s):  
Alexandru Nicolae Ungureanu ◽  
Corrado Lupo ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
Paolo Riccardo Brustio

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (s2) ◽  
pp. S2-101-S2-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Williams ◽  
Grant Trewartha ◽  
Matthew J. Cross ◽  
Simon P.T. Kemp ◽  
Keith A. Stokes

Purpose:Numerous derivative measures can be calculated from the simple session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), a tool for monitoring training loads (eg, acute:chronic workload and cumulative loads). The challenge from a practitioner’s perspective is to decide which measures to calculate and monitor in athletes for injury-prevention purposes. The aim of the current study was to outline a systematic process of data reduction and variable selection for such training-load measures.Methods:Training loads were collected from 173 professional rugby union players during the 2013–14 English Premiership season, using the sRPE method, with injuries reported via an established surveillance system. Ten derivative measures of sRPE training load were identified from existing literature and subjected to principal-component analysis. A representative measure from each component was selected by identifying the variable that explained the largest amount of variance in injury risk from univariate generalized linear mixed-effects models.Results:Three principal components were extracted, explaining 57%, 24%, and 9% of the variance. The training-load measures that were highly loaded on component 1 represented measures of the cumulative load placed on players, component 2 was associated with measures of changes in load, and component 3 represented a measure of acute load. Four-week cumulative load, acute:chronic workload, and daily training load were selected as the representative measures for each component.Conclusions:The process outlined in the current study enables practitioners to monitor the most parsimonious set of variables while still retaining the variation and distinct aspects of “load” in the data.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Roe

Background: Post-match fatigue has yet to be investigated inacademy rugby union players.Objectives: To determine the magnitude of change in upper-(plyometric push-up (PP) flight-time) and lower-body(countermovement jump (CMJ) mean power) neuromuscularfunction (NMF), whole blood creatine kinase (CK) and perceptionof well-being following a competitive match in academy rugbyunion players.Methods: Fourteen academy rugby union players participatedin the study. Measures were taken 2 h pre-match (baseline) andimmediately post-match. Further testing was also undertaken at24-, 48- and 72 h respectively post-match. Changes in measuresfrom baseline were determined using magnitude-based inferences.Results: Decreases in CMJ mean power were likely substantialimmediately (-5.5±3.3%) post-match, very likely at 24 h (-7±3.9),likely at 48 h (-5.8±5.4), while likely trivial at 72 h (-0.8±3.8)post-match. PP flight-time was very likely reduced immediately(-15.3±7.3%) and 24 h (-11.5±5.7%) post-match, while possiblyincreased at 48 h (3.5±6.0%) and likely trivial at 72 h (-0.9±5.4%)post-match. Decreases in perception of well-being were almostcertainly substantial at 24 h (-24.0±4.3%), very likely at 48 h(-8.3±5.9%), and likely substantial at 72 h (-3.6±3.7%) post-match.Increases in CK were almost certainly substantial immediately(138.5±33%), 24 h (326±78%) and 48 h (176±62%) post-match,while very likely substantial at 72 h (57±35%) post-match.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the transient andmultidimensional nature of post-match fatigue in academyrugby union players. Furthermore, the results demonstrate theindividual nature of recovery, with many players demonstratingdifferent recovery profiles from the group average.Keywords: collision sport, monitoring, sports injuries


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1036-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven H. Doeven ◽  
Michel S. Brink ◽  
Barbara C.H. Huijgen ◽  
Johan de Jong ◽  
Koen A.P.M. Lemmink

During rugby sevens tournaments, it is crucial to balance match load and recovery to strive for optimal performance. Purpose: To determine changes in well-being, recovery, and neuromuscular performance during and after an elite women’s rugby sevens tournament and assess the influence of match-load indicators. Methods: Twelve elite women rugby sevens players (age = 25.3 [4.1]y, height = 169.0 [4.0] cm, weight = 63.9 [4.9] kg, and body fat = 18.6% [2.7%]) performed 5 matches during a 2-d tournament of the Women’s Rugby Sevens World Series. Perceived well-being (fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness, stress levels, and mood), total quality of recovery, and countermovement-jump flight time were measured on match days 1 and 2, 1 d posttournament, and 2 d posttournament. Total distance; low-, moderate-, and high-intensity running; and physical contacts during matches were derived from global positioning system–based time–motion analysis and video-based notational analysis, respectively. Internal match load was calculated by session rating of perceived exertion and playing time (rating of perceived exertion × duration). Results: Well-being (P < .001), fatigue (P < .001), general muscle soreness (P < .001), stress levels (P < .001), mood (P = .005), and total quality of recovery (P < .001) were significantly impaired after match day 1 and did not return to baseline values until 2 d posttournament. More high-intensity running was related to more fatigue (r = −.60, P = .049) and a larger number of physical contacts with more general muscle soreness (r = −.69, P = .013). Conclusion: Perceived well-being and total quality of recovery were already impaired after match day 1, although performance was maintained. High-intensity running and physical contacts were predominantly related to fatigue and general muscle soreness, respectively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1067-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Conte ◽  
Nicholas Kolb ◽  
Aaron T. Scanlan ◽  
Fabrizio Santolamazza

Purpose: To characterize the weekly training load (TL) and well-being of college basketball players during the in-season phase. Methods: Ten (6 guards and 4 forwards) male basketball players (age 20.9 [0.9] y, stature 195.0 [8.2] cm, and body mass 91.3 [11.3] kg) from the same Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association team were recruited to participate in this study. Individualized training and game loads were assessed using the session rating of perceived exertion at the end of each training and game session, and well-being status was collected before each session. Weekly changes (%) in TL, acute-to-chronic workload ratio, and well-being were determined. Differences in TL and well-being between starting and bench players and between 1-game and 2-game weeks were calculated using magnitude-based statistics. Results: Total weekly TL and acute-to-chronic workload ratio demonstrated high week-to-week variation, with spikes up to 226% and 220%, respectively. Starting players experienced a higher (most likely negative) total weekly TL and similar (unclear) well-being status compared with bench players. Game scheduling influenced TL, with 1-game weeks demonstrating a higher (likely negative) total weekly TL and similar (most likely trivial) well-being status compared with 2-game weeks. Conclusions: These findings provide college basketball coaches information to optimize training strategies during the in-season phase. Basketball coaches should concurrently consider the number of weekly games and player status (starting vs bench player) when creating individualized periodization plans, with increases in TL potentially needed in bench players, especially in 2-game weeks.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1175-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Weaving ◽  
Nicholas E. Dalton ◽  
Christopher Black ◽  
Joshua Darrall-Jones ◽  
Padraic J. Phibbs ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Alexandru Nicolae Ungureanu ◽  
Paolo Riccardo Brustio ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
Alberto Rainoldi ◽  
Corrado Lupo

Purpose: To evaluate if the internal training load (ITL; Edwards heart rate [HR]-based and session-rating of perceived exertion [RPE] methods) is affected by the presession well-being perception, age, and position in elite (ie, Serie A2) female volleyball training. Methods: Twelve female elite volleyball players (age: 22 [4] y, height: 1.80 [0.06] m, body mass: 74.1 [4.3] kg) were monitored using an HR monitor during 32 team training sessions (duration: 1:36:12 [0:22:24], in h:min:s). Linear mixed-effects models were applied to evaluate if well-being perception (ie, perceived sleep quality/disorders, stress level, fatigue, and delayed-onset muscle soreness) may affect ITL depending on age and tactical position. Results: Presession perceived fatigue influenced ITL according to the session-RPE (P = .032) but not according to the Edwards method. Age was inversely correlated to the Edwards method (P < .001) and directly correlated to the session-RPE (P = .027). Finally, central blockers experienced a higher training load than hitters (P < .001) and liberos (P < .001) for the Edwards method, as well as higher than hitters (P < .001), liberos (P = .003), and setters (P = .008) for  session-RPE. Conclusions: Findings indicated that female volleyball players’ perceived ITL is influenced by presession well-being status, age, and position. Therefore, coaches can benefit from this information to specifically predict players’ ITL in relation to their individual characteristics.


Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 632-636
Author(s):  
Ana Denise Andrade ◽  
Mário Simim ◽  
Witalo Kassiano ◽  
José Manuel Palao ◽  
Karla De Jesus ◽  
...  

Summary. This study aimed to verify the differences between the training load planned by coaches and that perceived by Beach Volleyball (BV) players and observe the effects on athletes’ neuromuscular function. Three female BV players and well-known coaches participated in the research and were accompanied for three training weeks in the preseason phase. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected through the 0-10 scale during a previous training session. Strength, physical fitness and tactical-technical training have been assessed with coaches and athletes’ responses 30 minutes after the end of the session. RPE Session was calculated by the product between the training duration in minutes and RPE, to estimate Internal Training Load (ITL). Neuromuscular function was assessed through Countermovement Jump (CMJ). To verify differences between coaches and athletes’ responses and vertical jump performance were used either the magnitude of differences and clinical inference. Athletes experienced lower RPE and ITL as planned by coaches in the first week of training. CMJ increased substantially from the first to the third week (with likely differences (93/03/04), standardized difference = 1.60 and 90% confidence intervals = 0.00; 3.21). We suggest that training load planned by coaches similar to that perceived by athletes have a concomitant improvement with neuromuscular performance.Resumen. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar las diferencias entre la carga de entrenamiento planificada por los entrenadores y la percibida por los jugadores de voleibol de playa (VP) y observar los efectos sobre la función neuromuscular de los atletas. Tres jugadoras de VP y entrenadores conocidos participaron en la investigación y fueron acompañadas durante tres semanas de entrenamiento en la fase de pretemporada. El valor nominal del esfuerzo percibido (NEP) se recolectó a través de la escala 0-10 durante una sesión de entrenamiento anterior. La fuerza, la forma física y el entrenamiento táctico-técnico se evaluaron con las respuestas de los entrenadores y atletas 30 minutos después del final de la sesión. El producto calculó la sesión de NEP entre la duración del entrenamiento en minutos y el NEP, para estimar la carga interna de entrenamiento (CIE). La función neuromuscular se evaluó mediante salto contramovimiento (SCM). Para verificar las diferencias entre los entrenadores y las respuestas de los atletas y el rendimiento del salto vertical, se utilizó la magnitud de las diferencias y la inferencia clínica. Los atletas experimentaron menos NEP e CIE que fueron planificados por los entrenadores en la primera semana de entrenamiento. SCM aumentó sustancialmente de la primera a la tercera semana (con diferencias probables (93/03/04), diferencia estandarizada = 1.60 e intervalos de confianza del 90% = 0.00; 3.21). Sugerimos que la carga de entrenamiento planificada por entrenadores similar a la percibida por los atletas tenga una mejora concomitante con el rendimiento neuromuscular.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Stephen W West ◽  
Sean Williams ◽  
Peter Tierney ◽  
Tom Batchelor ◽  
Matthew J Cross ◽  
...  

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.


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