Match and Training Load Exposure and Time-Loss Incidence in Elite Rugby Union Players

Background: The shoulder has been reported as a frequent location of injury in adult professional and amateur rugby, with match injury incidence rates ranging from 1.8 to 3 per 1000 player-hours (h). An increased understanding of the incidence and mechanism of shoulder injuries in school rugby players is vital to establish effective injury preventive strategies and advise on appropriate rehabilitation. Purpose: To describe the incidence, nature, and severity of shoulder injuries in schoolboy rugby in Ireland. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Injury surveillance was carried out for Senior Cup teams across two seasons (N = 665 players aged 17-19 years) in Ireland from 2018 to 2020. Match and training injury data were recorded using an online system by trained nominated injury recorders. Match exposure was also recorded. Results: Shoulder match injury incidence was 12.2 per 1000 h (95% CI, 9.1-16.2), with a mean severity of 47 days’ time loss and an overall burden of 573 days per 1000 h. In total, 47 match and 5 training shoulder injuries were recorded. The most common injuries were shoulder dislocations/subluxations (34%), followed by acromioclavicular joint sprains (30%). Shoulder dislocations/subluxations represented the most burdensome injury (280 days per 1000 h). The tackle accounted for the majority (81%) of shoulder injuries. Forwards sustained a significantly higher incidence of shoulder injuries (8.3/1000 h) in comparison with backs (3.9/1000 h), with a rate ratio of 2.13 (95% CI, 1.15-3.94; P = .015). Conclusion: We found a notably higher injury incidence rate in schoolboy rugby as compared with the adult amateur and professional game. Shoulder injuries were responsible for more days lost than any other injury, and shoulder dislocations were the most severe. This is of particular concern so early in a player’s career and warrants further investigation into potential risk factors and mechanisms associated with shoulder injuries in school-age players.

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Investigation of the Relationship Between Salivary Cortisol, Training Load, and Subjective Markers of Recovery in Elite Rugby Union Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0945 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 113-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caoimhe Tiernan ◽

Mark Lyons ◽

Tom Comyns ◽

Alan M. Nevill ◽

Giles Warrington

Keyword(s):

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Training Session ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Training Load ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Period ◽

Training Performance ◽

And Training

Purpose: Insufficient recovery can lead to a decrease in performance and increase the risk of injury and illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary cortisol as a marker of recovery in elite rugby union players. Method: Over a 10-wk preseason training period, 19 male elite rugby union players provided saliva swabs biweekly (Monday and Friday mornings). Subjective markers of recovery were collected every morning of each training day. Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was taken after every training session, and training load was calculated (sRPE × session duration). Results: Multilevel analysis found no significant association between salivary cortisol and training load or subjective markers of recovery (all P > .05) over the training period. Compared with baseline (wk 1), Monday salivary cortisol significantly increased in wk 4 (14.94 [7.73] ng/mL; P = .04), wk 8 (16.39 [9.53] ng/mL; P = .01), and wk 9 (15.41 [9.82] ng/mL; P = .02), and Friday salivary cortisol significantly increased in wk 5 (14.81 [8.74] ng/mL; P = .04) and wk 10 (15.36 [11.30] ng/mL; P = .03). Conclusions: The significant increase in salivary cortisol on certain Mondays may indicate that players did not physically recover from the previous week of training or match at the weekend. The increased Friday cortisol levels and subjective marker of perceived fatigue indicated increased physiological stress from that week’s training. Regular monitoring of salivary cortisol combined with appropriate planning of training load may allow sufficient recovery to optimize training performance.

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The Use of Global Positioning and Accelerometer Systems in Age-Grade and Senior Rugby Union: A Systematic Review

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-021-00305-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lee A. Bridgeman ◽

Nicholas D. Gill

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

High Intensity ◽

High Speed ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Training Load ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Match Play ◽

Positioning Systems ◽

Global Positioning ◽

And Training

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.

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The association between training load indices and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in elite soccer players

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/17479541211020479 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174795412110204

Author(s):

Caoimhe Tiernan ◽

Thomas Comyns ◽

Mark Lyons ◽

Alan M Nevill ◽

Giles Warrington

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Load Indices ◽

And Training

This study aimed to investigate the association between training load indices and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) across different lag periods in elite soccer players. Internal training load was collected from 15 elite soccer players over one full season (40 weeks). Acute, chronic, Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR), Exponentially Weighted Moving Averages (EWMA) ACWR, 2, 3 and 4-week cumulative load, training strain and training monotony were calculated on a rolling weekly basis. Players completed a daily illness log, documenting any signs and symptoms, to help determine an URTI. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between training load indices and URTIs across different lag periods (1 to 7-days). The results found a significant association between 2-week cumulative load and an increased likelihood of a player contracting an URTI 3 days later (Odds Ratio, 95% Confidence Interval: OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 0.026-1.431). Additionally, a significant association was found between 3-week cumulative load and a players’ increased risk of contracting an URTI 4 days later (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 0.013–1.006). These results indicate that accumulated periods of high training load (2- and 3-week) associated with an increased risk of a player contracting an URTI, which may lead to performance decrements, missed training sessions or even competitions.

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345 Effects of participation level, apparatus and training phase on training load of young female gymnasts

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/s1440-2440(07)70353-5 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 115

Keyword(s):

Young Female ◽

Training Load ◽

Training Phase ◽

Participation Level ◽

Female Gymnasts ◽

And Training

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Two Training-Load Paradoxes: Can We Work Harder and Smarter, Can Physical Preparation and Medical Be Teammates?

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2016-0321 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (s2) ◽

pp. S2-50-S2-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Tim J. Gabbett ◽

Rod Whiteley

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Early Stage ◽

Support Staff ◽

Training Load ◽

Shared Decision ◽

The Relationship ◽

And Training ◽

Physical Preparation

The authors have observed that in professional sporting organizations the staff responsible for physical preparation and medical care typically practice in relative isolation and display tension as regards their attitudes toward training-load prescription (much more and much less training, respectively). Recent evidence shows that relatively high chronic training loads, when they are appropriately reached, are associated with reduced injury risk and better performance. Understanding this link between performance and training loads removes this tension but requires a better understanding of the relationship between the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and its association with performance and injury. However, there remain many questions in the area of ACWR, and we are likely at an early stage of our understanding of these parameters and their interrelationships. This opinion paper explores these themes and makes recommendations for improving performance through better synergies in support-staff approaches. Furthermore, aspects of the ACWR that remain to be clarified—the role of shared decision making, risk:benefit estimation, and clearer accountability—are discussed.

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A novel biomechanical injury risk score demonstrates correlation with lower limb posterior chain injury in fifty elite level rugby union athletes

10.1101/2021.02.02.21250855 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rhys Hughes ◽

Matt Cross ◽

Keith Stokes

Keyword(s):

Risk Score ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Biomechanical Assessment ◽

Elite Level ◽

Hip Extension ◽

Spearman’S Correlation ◽

And Training

ABSTRACTObjectivesLower limb posterior chain injury (PCI) is common amongst athletic populations, with multi-factorial risk factors including age, previous injury, strength measurements, range of motion and training load. Biomechanics are commonly considered in the prevention and rehabilitation of PCI by performance staff. However, there is no documented testing method to assess for associations between biomechanics and PCI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between an easily applicable, novel biomechanical assessment tool and PCI.MethodsFifty male elite-level rugby union athletes (age 22.83±5.08) participating in the highest tier of England were tested at the start of the 2019 pre-season period and PCIs (N=48) were recorded over the 2019/20 playing season. Participants’ biomechanics were analysed using two-dimensional video analysis against an Injury Risk Score (IRS) system in the performance of the combined movement – prone hip extension and knee flexion. Participants’ biomechanics in carrying out this movement were scored against the 10-point IRS, where the more compensatory movement recorded sees an increase in an individual’s IRS. Participants’ IRS were then compared against the number of PCI sustained and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was utilised for analysis.ResultsThere is a good significant association between IRS and PCI (R=0.573, p<0.001). Linear Regression demonstrated that an increase of 1 in IRS was associated with a 35% increase in PCI incidence (R2=0.346).ConclusionA good significance between the IRS and PCI provides preliminary support for its use as an injury risk assessment tool.

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The influence of` preseason training phase and training load on body composition and its relationship with physical qualities in professional junior rugby league players

Journal of Sports Sciences ◽

10.1080/02640414.2018.1473993 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (24) ◽

pp. 2778-2786 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nick Dobbin ◽

Adrian Gardner ◽

Matt Daniels ◽

Craig Twist

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Rugby League ◽

Training Load ◽

Training Phase ◽

And Training

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Technical and Tactical Training Load in Professional Volleyball Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 1338-1343

Author(s):

Thiago S. Duarte ◽

Danilo L. Alves ◽

Danilo R. Coimbra ◽

Bernardo Miloski ◽

João C. Bouzas Marins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Load ◽

Technical Training ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Different Types ◽

Volleyball Players ◽

Tactical Training ◽

Training Impulse ◽

The Relationship ◽

And Training

Purpose: To analyze the technical and tactical training load in professional volleyball players, using subjective internal training load (session rating of perceived exertion [SRPE]) and objective internal training load (training impulse of the heart rate [HR]) and the relationship between them. Methods: The sample was composed of 15 male professional volleyball players. They were monitored during 37 training sessions that included both technical (n = 23) and tactical (n = 14) training. Technical and training load was calculated using SRPE and training impulse of the HR. Results: Significant correlations were found between the methods in tactical (r = .616) and technical training (r = −.414). Furthermore, it was noted that technical training occurs up to 80% of HRmax (zone 3) and tactical training between 70% and 90% of HRmax (zones 3–4). Conclusions: The training impulse of the HR method has proved to be effective for training-load control during tactical training. However, it was limited compared with technical training. Thus, the use of SRPE is presented as a more reliable method in the different types of technical training in volleyball.

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