scholarly journals Quantification of Movement Characteristics in Women’s English Premier Elite Domestic Rugby Union

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-194
Author(s):  
Edward J Bradley ◽  
Lisa Board ◽  
Bob Hogg ◽  
David T Archer

AbstractThis study aims were to determine the positional physical requirements of English domestic women’s rugby union match-play. Global positioning system data (Catapult Minimax S4) were collected at 10 Hz of 129 competitive player games from the Tyrrells Premier15 league. Players were classified according to broad (Forwards, Backs) and specific positions (front-, second-, back-row, scrum-half, inside-, and outside-backs). Total distances, maximum speed, and player loads were calculated. Mean total distance was 4982 m and was similar between the Forwards and Backs, with second-row players covering the most (5297 m) and outside-backs the least (4701 m). Inside- and outside-backs covered a significantly greater distance at high speed running (134 m; 178 m) and sprinting (74 m; 92 m) speeds, respectively, whereas the second- and back-row covered greater distances jogging (1966 m; 1976 m) and the front-row spent the greatest overall distance walking (2613 m). Outside-backs reached greater maximum speed than all other positions (24.9 km.h-1). The mean player load was highest in the back-row (562 AU) and second-row (555 AU) and these were higher than the outside-backs (476 AU). These findings indicate that the demands placed on female rugby players are position specific and differ from male players. Additionally, the data are the first obtained from the 10 Hz GPS and from within English domestic women’s rugby, thus adding to the overall limited data available on women’s rugby union.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee A. Bridgeman ◽  
Nicholas D. Gill

Abstract Background Global positioning systems (GPS) imbedded with accelerometer systems (AS) are used in rugby union (RU) to collect information on absolute and relative distances, distances in different speed zones, high-speed running (HSR) distances, repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIE) and collisions and impacts. This information can be used to monitor match play which can then be used to plan training sessions. The objective of this review was to conduct a systematic review of studies which have reported the use of GPS and AS. Methods A systematic review of the use of GPS and AS in both age-grade and senior rugby was conducted. The authors systematically searched electronic databases from January 2010 until March 2020. Keywords included rugby union, GPS, global position* and microtechnology. Results A total of 51 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. There was a total of 34 studies utilising GPS and AS in senior RU players (mean ± SD; age 26.2 ± 1.9 years; height 185.7 ± 2.6 cm; mass 101.3 ± 4.2 kg) and 17 studies in age-grade RU players (mean ± SD; age 17.6 ± 1.5 years; height 182.1 ± 3.3 cm; mass 87.1 ± 8.6 kg). The results of this review highlighted that there are differences between backs and forwards and within these positions in these groups during both match play and training sessions. The backs covered greater total absolute, relative and HSR distance compared to forwards. Forwards are involved in more collisions and impacts than backs. When investigating the most intense periods of match play, studies in this review highlighted that the demands during these periods outweigh the average demands of the game. It was proposed that a rolling average over different time epochs is the best way to assess this and ensure that the most intense periods of play are assessed and monitored. Conclusions The information highlighted in this review can be used to help coaches assess performances in match play, allow them to plan appropriate training sessions and monitor training load.


Author(s):  
Charly Fornasier-Santos ◽  
Gregoire P Millet ◽  
Paul Stridgeon ◽  
Olivier Girard ◽  
Franck Brocherie ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padraic J Phibbs ◽  
Ben Jones ◽  
Gregory AB Roe ◽  
Dale B Read ◽  
Joshua Darrall-Jones ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-102529
Author(s):  
Stephen W West ◽  
Lindsay Starling ◽  
Simon Kemp ◽  
Sean Williams ◽  
Matthew Cross ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe Professional Rugby Injury Surveillance Project is the largest and longest running rugby union injury surveillance project globally and focuses on the highest level of rugby in England.MethodsWe examined match injuries in professional men’s rugby over the period 2002/2003 to 2018/2019 and described trends in injuries over this time.ResultsOver the period 2002/2003–2018/2019, 10 851 injuries occurred in 1 24 952 hours of match play, equating to a mean of 57 injuries per club per season and one injury per team per match. The mean incidence, severity (days absence) and burden (days absence/1000 hours) of injury were 87/1000 hours (95% CI 82 to 92), 25 days (95% CI 22 to 28) and 2178 days/1000 hours (95% CI 1872 to 2484), respectively. The tackle accounted for 43% injuries with running the second most common activity during injury (12%). The most common injury location was the head/face with an incidence of 11.3/1000 hours, while the location with the highest overall burden was the knee (11.1 days/1000 hours). Long-term trends demonstrated stable injury incidence and proportion of injured players, but an increase in the mean and median severity of injuries. Concussion incidence, severity and burden increased from the 2009/2010 season onwards and from 2011 to 2019 concussion was the most common injury.ConclusionThe rise in overall injury severity and concussion incidence are the most significant findings from this work and demonstrate the need for continued efforts to reduce concussion risk as well as a greater understanding of changes in injury severity over time.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Meylan ◽  
Joshua Trewin ◽  
Kelly McKean

The aims of the current study were to examine the external validity of inertial-based parameters (inertial movement analysis [IMA]) to detect multiplanar explosive actions during maximal sprinting and change of direction (COD) and to further determine its reliability, set appropriate magnitude bands for match analysis, and assess its variability during international women’s soccer matches. Twenty U20 female soccer players, wearing global positioning system (GPS) units with a built-in accelerometer, completed 3 trials of a 40-m sprint and a 20-m sprint with a change of direction to the right or left at 10 m. Furthermore, 13 women’s national-team players (157 files; 4–27 matches/player) were analyzed to ascertain match-to-match variability. Video synchronization indicated that the IMA signal was instantaneous with explosive movement (acceleration, deceleration, COD). Peak GPS velocity during the 40-m sprint showed similar reliability (coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.1%) to timing gates but increased before and after COD (CV = 4.5–13%). IMA variability was greater at the start of sprints (CV = 16–21%) than before and after COD (CV = 13–16%). IMA threshold for match analysis was set at 2.5 m · s–1 · s–1 by subtracting 1 SD from the mean IMA during sprint trials. IMA match variability (CV = 14%) differed from high-speed GPS metrics (35–60%). Practitioners are advised that timing lights should remain the gold standard for monitoring sprint and acceleration capabilities of athletes. However, IMA could be a reliable method to monitor explosive actions between matches and assess changes due to various factors such as congested schedule, tactics, heat, or altitude.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 816-823
Author(s):  
Joanne Hausler ◽  
Mark Halaki ◽  
Rhonda Orr

Purpose:To investigate activity profiles of Australian rugby league players during match play by competition, position, and match outcome in the New South Wales (NSW) second-tier competitions.Methods:Eighteen NSW Cup (NSWC) and 22 National Youth Competition (NYC) players, participating in this prospective cohort study, were categorized into 3 positional groups: forwards, adjustables, and outside backs. Global positioning system devices were used to examine activity profiles (distance and relative distance covered in walking, jogging, moderate, high, very high, and sprinting speed zones and quantification of high-speed movement) during match play in 21 NSWC and 22 NYC matches (N = 339 files).Results:NSWC players performed more sprints (36.5 ± 9.3 vs 28.4 ± 9.2) and greater relative distance in moderate speed zones (18.4 ± 3.2 vs 15.8 ± 3.1 m/min) than NYC. NSWC outside backs covered greater relative distance in jogging (29.4 ± 2.9 vs 24.8 ± 2.7 m/min) and moderate speed zones (17.0 ± 2.6 vs 12.8 ± 2.8 m/min) than their NYC counterparts. Adjustables performed more sprints (39.4 ± 10.1 vs 27.0 ± 9.2), high-intensity accelerations (3.7 ± 1.4 vs 1.9 ± 1.4), and relative distance (84.8 ± 4.3 vs 88.6 ± 4.8 m/min) than forwards and greater relative distance (81.5 ± 3.8 m/min) and sprints (31.0 ± 8.0) than outside backs. Adjustables recorded greater relative distance (19.8 m/min) in moderate speed zones than forwards (16.7 ± 3.1 m/min) and outside backs (14.9 ± 2.7 m/min). Adjustables covered ~685 m more than outside backs during a win.Conclusions:This is the first study to document the activity profiles of the NSW second-tier rugby league competition. The findings underscore the elevated match demands of adjustables and indicate higher intensity of play in NSWC than NYC that may more closely resemble the demands of National Rugby League match play.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 774-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Kempton ◽  
Aaron J. Coutts

Purpose:To describe the physical and technical demands of rugby league 9s (RL9s) match play for positional groups.Methods:Global positioning system data were collected during 4 games from 16 players from a team competing in the Auckland RL9s tournament. Players were classified into positional groups (pivots, outside backs, and forwards). Absolute and relative physical-performance data were classified as total high-speed running (HSR; >14.4 km/h), very-high-speed running (VHSR; >19.0 km/h), and sprint (>23.0 km/h) distances. Technical-performance data were obtained from a commercial statistics provider. Activity cycles were coded by an experienced video analyst.Results:Forwards (1088 m, 264 m) most likely completed less overall and high-speed distances than pivots (1529 m, 371 m) and outside backs (1328 m, 312 m). The number of sprint efforts likely varied between positions, although differences in accelerations were unclear. There were no clear differences in relative total (115.6−121.3 m/min) and HSR (27.8−29.8 m/min) intensities, but forwards likely performed less VHSR (7.7 m/min) and sprint distance (1.3 m/min) per minute than other positions (10.2−11.8 m/min, 3.7−4.8 m/min). The average activity and recovery cycle lengths were ~50 and ~27 s, respectively. The average longest activity cycle was ~133 s, while the average minimum recovery time was ~5 s. Technical involvements including tackles missed, runs, tackles received, total collisions, errors, off-loads, line breaks, and involvements differed between positions.Conclusions:Positional differences exist for both physical and technical measures, and preparation for RL9s play should incorporate these differences.


2012 ◽  
Vol 692 ◽  
pp. 347-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien R. Landel ◽  
C. P. Caulfield ◽  
Andrew W. Woods

AbstractWe investigate experimentally the structure of quasi-two-dimensional plane turbulent jets discharged vertically from a slot of width $d$ into a fluid confined between two relatively close rigid boundaries with gap $W\ensuremath{\sim} O(d)$. At large vertical distances $z\gg W$ the jet structure consists of a meandering core with large counter-rotating eddies, which develop on alternate sides of the core. Using particle image velocimetry, we observe an inverse cascade typical of quasi-two-dimensional turbulence where both the core and the eddies grow linearly with $z$ and travel at an average speed proportional to ${z}^{\ensuremath{-} 1/ 2} $. However, although the present study concerns quasi-two-dimensional confined jets, the jets are self-similar and the mean properties are consistent with both experimental results and theoretical models of the time-averaged properties of fully unconfined planar two-dimensional jets. We believe that the dynamics of the interacting core and large eddies accounts for the Gaussian profile of the mean vertical velocity as shown by the spatial statistical distribution of the core and eddy structure. The lateral excursions (caused by the propagating eddies) of this high-speed central core produce a Gaussian distribution for the time-averaged vertical velocity. In addition, we find that approximately 75 % of the total momentum flux of the jet is contained within the core. The eddies travel substantially slower (at approximately 25 % of the maximum speed of the core) at each height and their growth is primarily attributed to entrainment of ambient fluid. The frequency of occurrence of the eddies decreases in a stepwise manner due to merging, with a well-defined minimum value of the corresponding Strouhal number $\mathit{St}\geq 0. 07$.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Romann ◽  
Dennis Lüdin ◽  
Dennis-Peter Born

Abstract Objective Bio-banding (BB) has been introduced to account for varying maturity and to improve the talent development of junior soccer players. To date, research that investigated the physiological and technical effects of BB is sparse. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare effects of BB with CA on selected technical and tactical parameters in U13 and U14 soccer players. Results BB significantly increased the number of duels (p =0.024) and set pieces (p =0.025) compared to chronological age. The mean time of ball possession per action was reduced (p =0.021) and the rate of successful passes was lower with BB (p =0.001). Meanwhile, the total number of passes was unaffected (p =0.796), and there was a trend towards a lower difference in ball possession between BB teams (p =0.058). In addition, BB reduced the distances covered while jogging (p= 0.001), running (p= 0.038) and high-speed running (p= 0.035). With BB, an increased number of duels, unsuccessful passes and set pieces resulted in a quicker change of match play situations between teams. While physical demand was reduced, BB seems to result in a more technically and tactically challenging game. Benefits in long-term player development, however, require further investigation.


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