Is training age predictive of physiological performance changes in developmental rugby league players? A prospective longitudinal study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-315
Author(s):  
Mark Booth ◽  
Stephen Cobley ◽  
Mark Halaki ◽  
Rhonda Orr
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Training Effect ◽  
Jump Height ◽  
Physiological Performance ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Cardiovascular Training ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Direction Effect

The aim of this study was to determine if training age – rugby league training age, resistance training age and cardiovascular training age – was predictive of changes in physiological performance in developmental rugby league players. Developmental rugby league players from one elite club ( n = 147, mean age = 15.8 ± 1.1 years) playing at Under 16 and Under 18 representative levels were tracked longitudinally over two consecutive seasons. Estimated aerobic capacity, jump height, upper body strength endurance and change of direction were assessed. Mixed method random effect analysis determined relationships between training age domains and physiological change. Positive relationships were observed between rugby league training age and change in estimated V̇O2max ( β = 0.13, p =  0.018), and change in strength endurance ( β = 0.51, p =  0.033), and resistance training age and change in jump height ( β = 0.11, p =  0.007). A negative relationship was observed between rugby league training age with change in change of direction time ( β = –0.06, p =  0.026). Moderate pre-season training effect sizes were identified for change of direction (effect size = –0.42, confidence interval (CI) = –0.8 to 0.1) and jump height (effect size = 0.41, CI = 0.1–0.7), while small pre-season training effect size was apparent for strength endurance (effect size = 0.33, CI = 0.0–0.7) and estimated V̇O2max (effect size = 0.16). Small in-season performance decrements occurred in strength endurance (effect size = –0.23, CI = –0.6 to 0.1) and change of direction (effect size = 0.30, CI = –0.1 to 0.7). Higher pre-study rugby league training age was associated with greater improvements in estimated V̇O2max, strength endurance and change of direction. Additionally, higher resistance training age was associated with greater improvements in vertical jump. Overall, the magnitude of resistance training age and cardiovascular training age may have been too inadequate to meaningfully impact training adaptations in the population. Decrease in effect size for physiological performance changes during the in-season phase suggests that performance enhancements were not maintained across the competitive season.

scholarly journals Training Practices of Academy Rugby League and their Alignment to Physical Qualities Deemed Important for Current and Future Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam McCormack ◽  
Ben Jones ◽  
Kevin Till
Keyword(s):  
Training Session ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Reference Source ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Career Longevity ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Future Performance ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Athletic Development

This study aimed to investigate rugby league coaches’ perceptions of physical qualities for current and future performance, while also establishing the training practices of under-16 and under-19 players. Twenty-four practitioners (rugby coach, strength and conditioning coach) working within nine Super League clubs completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire required practitioners to rank eleven physical qualities (i.e. strength, power, acceleration, maximum speed, aerobic endurance, change of direction, agility, height, body mass, lean mass and fat mass) by importance for current performance, future performance and career longevity according to playing position (forwards, backs, hookers and halves). Practitioners were asked to provide detail on the frequency and duration of each type of training session completed during a typical week throughout each phase of the season; pre-season, in-season (early), in-season (mid) and in-season (late). Typically, practitioners ranked strength, power and acceleration qualities highest, and endurance and anthropometric qualities lowest. The importance of physical qualities varied according to each playing level and position. Training practices of under-16 and under-19 players differed during each phase of the season, with under-19 players undertaking greater training volumes than under-16s players. Overall, the physical qualities coaches perceived as most important were not reflected within their training practices. Rugby league practitioners can use this information as a reference source to design long term athletic development plans, prescribe training and during player development procedures. Moreover, these data can inform and improve training practices while influencing the design of pre-season preparatory phases and in-season periods.

scholarly journals Improvement of Physical Performance Following a 6 Week Change-of-Direction Training Program in Elite Youth Soccer Players of Different Maturity Levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorsaf Sariati ◽  
Raouf Hammami ◽  
Hassane Zouhal ◽  
Cain C. T. Clark ◽  
Ammar Nebigh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Height Velocity ◽  
Adherence Rate ◽  
Peak Height Velocity ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Change Of Direction

Background: Change-of-direction (CoD) is a necessary physical ability of a field sport and may vary in youth players according to their maturation status.Objectives: The aim of this study is: to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week CoD training intervention on dynamic balance (CS-YBT), horizontal jump (5JT), speed (10 and 30-m linear sprint times), CoD with (15 m-CoD + B) and without (15 m-CoD) the ball, in youth male soccer players at different levels of maturity [pre- and post-peak height velocity (PHV)].Materials and Methods: Thirty elite male youth soccer players aged 10–17 years from the Tunisian first division participated in this study. The players were divided into pre- (G1, n = 15) and post-PHV (G2, n = 15) groups. Both groups completed a similar 6-week training program with two sessions per week of four CoD exercises. All players completed the following tests before and after intervention: CS-YBT; 5 JT; 10, 30, and 15 m-CoD; and 15 m-CoD + B, and data were analyzed using ANCOVA.Results: All 30 players completed the study according to the study design and methodology. Adherence rate was 100% across all groups, and no training or test-related injuries were reported. Pre-PHV and post-PHV groups showed significant amelioration post-intervention for all dependent variables (after test > before test; p < 0.01, d = 0.09–1.51). ANOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction only for CS-YBT (F = 4.45; p < 0.04; η2 = 0.14), 5JT (F = 6.39; p < 0.02; η2 = 0.18), and 15 m-CoD (F = 7.88; p < 0.01; η2 = 0.22). CS-YBT, 5JT, and 15 m-CoD improved significantly in the post-PHV group (+ 4.56%, effect size = 1.51; + 4.51%, effect size = 1.05; and -3.08%, effect size = 0.51, respectively), more than the pre-PHV group (+ 2.77%, effect size = 0.85; + 2.91%, effect size = 0.54; and -1.56%, effect size = 0.20, respectively).Conclusion: The CoD training program improved balance, horizontal jump, and CoD without the ball in male preadolescent and adolescent soccer players, and this improvement was greater in the post-PHV players. The maturity status of the athletes should be considered when programming CoD training for soccer players.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Interventions to Improve Gait Speed in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (12) ◽  
pp. 1938-1954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noelle G. Moreau ◽  
Amy Winter Bodkin ◽  
Kristie Bjornson ◽  
Amy Hobbs ◽  
Mallary Soileau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy

AbstractBackgroundChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) have decreased gait speeds, which can negatively affect their community participation and quality of life. However, evidence for effective rehabilitation interventions to improve gait speed remains unclear.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of interventions for improving gait speed in ambulatory children with CP.Data SourcesMEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and PEDro were searched from inception through April 2014.Study SelectionThe selected studies were randomized controlled trials or had experimental designs with a comparison group, included a physical therapy or rehabilitation intervention for children with CP, and reported gait speed as an outcome measure.Data ExtractionMethodological quality was assessed by PEDro scores. Means, standard deviations, and change scores for gait speed were extracted. General study information and dosing parameters (frequency, duration, intensity, and volume) of the intervention were recorded.Data SynthesisTwenty-four studies were included. Three categories of interventions were identified: gait training (n=8), resistance training (n=9), and miscellaneous (n=7). Meta-analysis showed that gait training was effective in increasing gait speed, with a standardized effect size of 0.92 (95% confidence interval=0.19, 1.66; P=.01), whereas resistance training was shown to have a negligible effect (effect size=0.06; 95% confidence interval=−0.12, 0.25; P=.51). Effect sizes from negative to large were reported for studies in the miscellaneous category.LimitationsGait speed was the only outcome measure analyzed.ConclusionsGait training was the most effective intervention in improving gait speed for ambulatory children with CP. Strength training, even if properly dosed, was not shown to be effective in improving gait speed. Velocity training, electromyographic biofeedback training, and whole-body vibration were effective in improving gait speed in individual studies and warrant further investigation.

Influence of Physical Contact on Pacing Strategies During Game-Based Activities

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rich D. Johnston ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
Anthony J. Seibold ◽  
David G. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Running Performance ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Pacing Strategies ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Purpose:Repeated sprinting incorporating tackles leads to greater reductions in sprint performance than repeated sprinting alone. However, the influence of physical contact on the running demands of game-based activities is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of physical contact altered pacing strategies during game-based activities.Methods:Twenty-three elite youth rugby league players were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 played the contact game on day 1 while group 2 played the noncontact game; 72 h later they played the alternate game. Each game consisted of offside touch on a 30 × 70-m field, played over two 8-min halves. Rules were identical between games except the contact game included a 10-s wrestle bout every 50 s. Microtechnology devices were used to analyze player movements.Results:There were greater average reductions during the contact game for distance (25%, 38 m/min, vs 10%, 20 m/min; effect size [ES] = 1.78 ± 1.02) and low-speed distance (21%, 24 m/min, vs 0%, 2 m/s; ES = 1.38 ± 1.02) compared with the noncontact game. There were similar reductions in high-speed running (41%, 18 m/min, vs 45%, 15 m/min; ES = 0.15 ± 0.95).Conclusions:The addition of contact to game-based activities causes players to reduce low-speed activity in an attempt to maintain high-intensity activities. Despite this, players were unable to maintain high-speed running while performing contact efforts. Improving a player’s ability to perform contact efforts while maintaining running performance should be a focus in rugby league training.

Does Frequency of Resistance Training Effect Cortical Density at the Tibia in Older Women?: A pQCT Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Maureen C. Ashe ◽  
Erin Gorman ◽  
Karim M. Khan ◽  
David M. Cooper ◽  
Penny Brasher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Training Effect ◽  
Cortical Density

Repeated High-Intensity-Effort Activity in Elite and Semielite Rugby League Match Play

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia M. Black ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Recovery Time ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Global Positioning

Purpose:No study has investigated the frequency and nature of repeated high-intensity-effort (RHIE) bouts across elite and semielite rugby league competitions. This study examined RHIE activity in rugby league match play across playing standards.Participants:36 elite and 64 semielite rugby league players.Methods:Global positioning system analysis was completed during 17 elite and 14 semielite matches.Results:The most commonly occurring RHIE bouts involved 2 efforts (2-RHIE) for both elite and semielite players. Only small differences were found in 2-RHIE activity between elite and semielite match play (effect size [ES] ≥0.31 ± 0.15, ≥88%, likely). RHIE bouts were more likely to involve contact as the number of efforts in a bout increased (ES ≥0.40 ± 0.15, 100%, almost certainly). Semielite players performed a greater proportion of 2-contact-effort RHIE bouts than their elite counterparts (68.2% vs 60.6%, ES 0.33 ± 0.15, 92%, likely), while elite players performed a greater proportion of 3-effort bouts (26.9% vs 21.1%, ES 0.31 ± 0.15, 88%, likely). Elite players also had a shorter recovery (1.00−3.99 vs ≥4.00 min) between RHIE bouts (ES ≥1.60 ± 0.71, ≥94%, likely).Conclusion:These findings highlight the RHIE demands of elite and semielite rugby league match play. Elite players are more likely to perform RHIE bouts consisting of 3 efforts and to have a shorter recovery time between bouts. Exposing players to these RHIE demands in training is likely to improve their ability to tolerate the most demanding passages of match play.

scholarly journals Levels of Agreement for the Direction of Inter-Limb Asymmetry during Four Simple Change-of-Direction Tests in Young Male Handball Players: A Pilot Study

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1940
Author(s):  
Žiga Kozinc ◽  
Chris Bishop ◽  
Jernej Pleša ◽  
Nejc Šarabon
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Task Time ◽  
Simple Change ◽  
Limb Asymmetry ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Standing Start

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of change-of-direction (CoD) angle (90° vs. 180°) and the inclusion of acceleration approach on total task time, CoD deficit, and agreement regarding inter-limb asymmetry direction across CoD tasks. The sample included 13 young male handball players (age: 22.4 ± 3.2 years). The CoD tasks were performed over a 10 m distance with 90° and 180° turns. Both CoD tasks were performed under two conditions: (1) from the standing start and, (2) with a 10 m prior acceleration approach. Linear sprint times over a 10 m distance were also recorded for the purpose of determining the CoD deficit. The differences between the outcomes of different test variants were assessed with pairwise t-tests and associated Cohen’s d effect size. The agreement in terms of inter-limb asymmetry direction was assessed descriptively, using percentage of agreement. Results showed that the inclusion of the 10 m approach reduced the total task time (mean differences ranging between 0.26 and 0.35 s; d = 2.27–4.02; p < 0.002). The differences between 90° and 180° turn times were statistically significant under both conditions: (a) without approach (0.44–0.48 s; d = 4.72–4.84; all p < 0.001), and (b) with approach (0.50–0.54 s; d = 4.41–5.03; p < 0.001). The agreement regarding inter-limb asymmetry direction among the tasks was 30.7–61.5%. The differences between the tasks could be explained by the angle–velocity trade-off. The results of this study imply that the CoD tasks should not be used interchangeably when assessing inter-limb asymmetries.

The Effects of an Intensive 2-wk Resistance Training Period on Strength Performance and Nocturnal Heart Rate Variability

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1448-1454
Author(s):  
Piia Kaikkonen ◽  
Esa Hynynen ◽  
Arto Hautala ◽  
Juha P. Ahtiainen
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Training Period ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Strength Performance ◽  
Repetition Maximum ◽  
Leg Press

Purpose: It is known that modifying the endurance-type training load of athletes may result in altered cardiac autonomic modulation that may be estimated with heart rate variability (HRV). However, the specific effects of intensive resistance-type training remain unclear. The main aim of this study was to find out whether an intensive 2-wk resistance training period affects the nocturnal HRV and strength performance of healthy participants. Methods: Young healthy men (N = 13, age 24 [2] y) performed 2-wk baseline training, 2-wk intensive training, and a 9-d tapering periods, with 2, 5, and 2 hypertrophic whole-body resistance exercise sessions per week, respectively. Maximal isometric and dynamic strength were tested at the end of these training periods. Nocturnal HRV was also analyzed at the end of these training periods. Results: As a main finding, the nocturnal root mean square of differences of successive R-R intervals decreased (P = .004; from 49 [18] to 43 [15] ms; 95% CI, 2.4–10.4; effect size = 0.97) during the 2-wk intensive resistance training period. In addition, maximal isometric strength improved slightly (P = .045; from 3933 [1362] to 4138 [1540] N; 95% CI, 5.4–404; effect size = 0.60). No changes were found in 1-repetition-maximum leg press or leg press repetitions at 80% 1-repetition maximum. Conclusions: The present data suggest that increased training load due to a short-term intensive resistance training period can be detected by nocturnal HRV. However, despite short-term accumulated physiological stress, a tendency of improvement in strength performance was detected.

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