There is a growing impetus towards usage of test batteries in talent identification (TID) programmes in rugby. Consequently, there are many test batteries in existence profiling anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific skills. There is no consensus in the literature on the constituent variables and corresponding tests required to inform TID programs. Following development of a new test battery called the SCRuM (School Clinical Rugby Measure), this study aimed at establishing face, logical validity and practical feasibility of included tests. The test battery, initially comprised of 23 items, had its face and logical validity evaluated by five (5) adolescent rugby coaches and 20 rugby experts, respectively. Logical validation was conducted in two questionnaire-based rounds with Content Validity Index (I-CVI) calculated for each variable. Subsequently, a cross-sectional study targeting 30 local rugby coaches was conducted to determine the perceived practical feasibility of each test item. The results showed excellent I-CVI (>0.78) for 17 variables (speed, weight, height and skin fold measures, repeated high-intensity exercise performance ability, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, change of direction speed, anaerobic capacity, lower-and upper body muscular power and strength, muscular flexibility, reactive agility, passing for accuracy, tackling proficiency, and catching). However, three tests, namely, Reactive Agility, One Repetition Maximum Back Squat and One Repetition Maximum Bench Press had low test-feasibility indices (T-FI< 35) suggesting practicality concerns with implementation in the Zimbabwean context. Thus, these findings suggest the need for substitution or development of new practically feasible tests for upper-and lower body muscular strength and reactive agility.

BackgroundThis systematic review was conducted with the first objective aimed at providing an overview of the physiological characteristics commonly evaluated in rugby and the corresponding tests used to measure each construct. Secondly, the measurement properties of all identified tests per physiological construct were evaluated with the ultimate purpose of identifying tests with strongest level of evidence per construct.MethodsThe review was conducted in two stages. In all stages, electronic databases of EBSCOhost, Medline and Scopus were searched for full-text articles. Stage 1 included studies examining physiological characteristics in rugby. Stage 2 included studies evaluating measurement properties of all tests identified in Stage 1 either in rugby or related sports such as Australian Rules football and Soccer. Two independent reviewers screened relevant articles from titles and abstracts for both stages.ResultsSeventy studies met the inclusion criteria for Stage 1. The studies described 63 tests assessing speed (8), agility/change of direction speed (7), upper-body muscular endurance (8), upper-body muscular power (6), upper-body muscular strength (5), anaerobic endurance (4), maximal aerobic power (4), lower-body muscular power (3), prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability/endurance (5), lower-body muscular strength (5), repeated high-intensity exercise performance (3), repeated-sprint ability (2), repeated-effort ability (1), maximal aerobic speed (1) and abdominal endurance (1). Stage 2 identified 20 studies describing measurement properties of 21 different tests. Only moderate evidence was found for the reliability of the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness. There was limited evidence found for the reliability and/or validity of 5 m, 10 m, 20 m speed tests, 505 test, modified 505 test, L run test, Sergeant Jump test and bench press repetitions-to-fatigue tests. There was no information from high-quality studies on the measurement properties of all the other tests identified in stage 1.ConclusionA number of physiological characteristics are evaluated in rugby. Each physiological construct has multiple tests for measurement. However, there is paucity of information on measurement properties from high-quality studies for the tests. This raises questions about the usefulness and applicability of these tests in rugby and creates a need for high-quality future studies evaluating measurement properties of these physiological tests.Trial registrations PROSPERO CRD 42015029747.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13102-017-0081-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ObjectivesTo (1) give an overview of commonly used game-specific skills tests in rugby and (2) evaluate available psychometric information of these tests.MethodsThe databases PubMed, MEDLINE CINAHL and Africa Wide information were systematically searched for articles published between January 1995 and March 2017. First, commonly used game-specific skills tests were identified. Second, the available psychometrics of these tests were evaluated and the methodological quality of the studies assessed using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist. Studies included in the first step had to report detailed information on the construct and testing procedure of at least one game-specific skill, and studies included in the second step had additionally to report at least one psychometric property evaluating reliability, validity or responsiveness.Results287 articles were identified in the first step, of which 30 articles met the inclusion criteria and 64 articles were identified in the second step of which 10 articles were included. Reactive agility, tackling and simulated rugby games were the most commonly used tests. All 10 studies reporting psychometrics reported reliability outcomes, revealing mainly strong evidence. However, all studies scored poor or fair on methodological quality. Four studies reported validity outcomes in which mainly moderate evidence was indicated, but all articles had fair methodological quality.ConclusionGame-specific skills tests indicated mainly high reliability and validity evidence, but the studies lacked methodological quality. Reactive agility seems to be a promising domain, but the specific tests need further development. Future high methodological quality studies are required in order to develop valid and reliable test batteries for rugby talent identification.Trial registration numberPROSPERO CRD42015029747.

ObjectiveCompetitive rugby is increasingly becoming popular among adolescent players even in countries hardly known for rugby such as Zimbabwe. Given the increased participation rates, burgeoning talent identification (TID) programs and the reportedly high injury-risk associated with competitive youth rugby, the minimal qualities or skills needed for effective performance by all young players need further clarification. Therefore, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions of high-school based rugby coaches on the key qualities or skills defining good adolescent rugby players and should be considered for player recruitment in TID programs. Currently, there is no consensus in literature from the coaches’ perspective on these qualities.ResultsThe final sample had 22 coaches (median age = 45.5 years) with years of coaching high-school rugby ranging from 6 to 17 years. Using the conventional approach to inductive content analysis four broad themes emerged suggesting the multifaceted nature of the requirements imperative for effective and optimal rugby performance among adolescent rugby players as perceived by the coaches. Themes identified included: physiological characteristics, anthropometric attributes, psychological qualities and game-specific skills. Possibly, training approaches or design of rugby-specific test-batteries should consider all these important qualities and be multi-dimensional in composition.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4170-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: In individuals with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), symptoms of muscle weakness, fatigue and pain may limit physical activity. Inactivity leads to reduced physical fitness, which further complicates daily life functioning. Due to inconclusive evidence regarding exercise in NMD, the optimal training approach and strategies to preserve an active lifestyle remain to be determined. The physical activity programme I'M FINE, consisting of individualized aerobic exercise to improve physical fitness and coaching to preserve an active lifestyle, was therefore developed. The primary objective of this study will be to evaluate the efficacy of the I'M FINE programme in terms of improved physical fitness in individuals with slowly progressive NMD, compared to usual care. Methods: A multicentre, assessor-blinded, two armed, randomized controlled trial will be conducted in a sample of 90 individuals with slowly progressive NMD. Participants motivated to improve their reduced physical fitness will be randomized (ratio 1:1) to the I'M FINE intervention or usual care. The I'M FINE intervention consists of a six-month physical activity programme, including individualized home-based aerobic exercise to improve physical fitness (i.e. peak oxygen uptake), and motivational interviewing coaching (e.g. goal setting, self-management) to adopt and preserve an active lifestyle. Measurements will be performed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 12-and 18-months follow-up. The primary outcome is peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak) directly post intervention. Main secondary outcomes are physical capacity, muscle strength, self-efficacy, daily activity, quality of life and markers of metabolic syndrome. The primary analysis compares change in VO 2 peak post-intervention between the intervention and usual care group, with analysis of covariance. Discussion: The I'M FINE study will provide evidence regarding the efficacy of a physical activity intervention on the physical fitness and active lifestyle over the short-and long-term in individuals with slowly progressive NMD. These outcomes could potentially improve the (inter)national guidelines for efficacy of aerobic exercise programmes and provide insight in achieving a more active lifestyle in NMD.

No abstract

No abstract

BACKGROUND Home-based aerobic exercise has benefits compared to exercise in the hospital or rehabilitation center in people with neuromuscular diseases (NMD) because traveling is often cumbersome due to mobility limitations and societal costs are lower. Barriers to home-based aerobic exercise include reduced possibilities for monitoring and lack of motivation To overcome these and other barriers we developed the ‘Keep on training with ReVi’ mobile health app (ReVi-app). OBJECTIVE To determine the usability of the ReVi-app. METHODS Patients followed a 4-month polarized home-based aerobic exercise program on a cycle or rowing ergometer, with two low-intensity sessions and one high-intensity session per week, supported by the ReVi-app. The app collected training data, including heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion, provided real-time feedback on reaching target intensity zones, and enabled monitoring via an online dashboard. Patients and physiotherapists separately evaluated usability with self-developed questionnaires, including 9 questions on a 5-point Likert scale, covering different usability elements; efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. RESULTS Twenty-nine ambulatory adult patients (19 women, mean ± SD age: 50.4 ± 14.2 years) with 11 different slowly progressive NMD, participated. Both patients and physiotherapists (n=10) reported that the app, in terms of its efficiency, was easy to use and had a rapid learning curve. Sixteen patients (55%) experienced one or more technical issue(s) during the course of the exercise program. In the context of effectiveness, 23 patients (81%) indicated that the app motivated them to complete the program and that it helped them to exercise within the target intensity zones. Most patients (n=19, 70%) and physiotherapists (n=6, 60%) were satisfied with the use of the app. The median attendance rate was 88% (IQR 63-98), with 76% (IQR 69-82) of the time spent within the target intensity zones. Four adverse events were reported, 3 of which were resolved without discontinuation of the exercise program. CONCLUSIONS The usability of the ReVi-app was high, despite the technical issues that occurred. Further development of the app to resolve these issues is warranted before broader implementation into clinical practice.