Changes in performance markers and wellbeing in elite senior professional rugby union players during a pre-season period: Analysis of the differences across training phases

Grainger, Adam; Neville, Ross D.; Ditroilo, Massimiliano; Comfort, Paul

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.012

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(58 reference statements)

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“…Mean sway velocity was derived from single-leg balance (60). Upper body strength and power was assessed in one study by examining mean speed of the bench press (15). Wearable technology was used to analyze on-field metrics extracted from small-sided games (48) and a standardized 60-m run (23) measured by Playerload and Running Load Index, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ready or Not, Here I Come: A Scoping Review of Methods Used to Assess Player Readiness Via Indicators of Neuromuscular Function in Football Code Athletes

Guthrie

Jagim

Jones

2022

Strength &Amp; Conditioning Journal

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A scoping review methodology was used to assess player readiness via indicators of neuromuscular function in response to training load. Literature search included PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and CINAHL. Search strategy was based on Population-Concept-Context framework evaluating football code athletes with the focus on player readiness in the context of longitudinal monitoring across quantified training loads with an emphasis on neuromuscular function. Demographics, frequency of data collection, methods of monitoring readiness, neuromuscular function, duration of monitoring period, and quantification of training loads were reported. Authors independently reviewed articles and, in the case of disagreement, a vote determined inclusion. The sports of rugby (n = 13) and soccer (n = 11) were most frequently examined, followed by Australian Rules Football (n = 6) and American Football (n = 1). The most common methods assessed systemic readiness with the primary focus on jump and sprint testing. Findings identified limited evidence supporting structural and tissue-specific monitoring tools. Player readiness assessment strategies have evolved with advances in technology and analytics. It is recommended that future research focus on a variety of populations, including youth and women athletes. This review is the first to summarize methods of assessing player readiness using indicators of neuromuscular function in football code athletes.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ready or Not, Here I Come: A Scoping Review of Methods Used to Assess Player Readiness Via Indicators of Neuromuscular Function in Football Code Athletes

Guthrie

Jagim

Jones

2022

Strength &Amp; Conditioning Journal

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“…Self-Report Well-Being Questionnaires. Well-being (WB) was assessed using a self-report wellness questionnaire (14), which the players completed upon waking every training day via an online player management tool (The Sports Office, United Kingdom). This 5-part questionnaire assessed subjective responses to questions relating to sleep, muscle soreness, energy levels, mood, and appetite based on prior recommendations (15).…”

Section: Direct Currentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autonomic Nervous System Indices of Player Readiness During Elite-Level Rugby Union Game-Week Microcycles

Grainger

Heffernan

Waldrom

et al. 2022

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Grainger, A, Heffernan, S, Waldron, M, and Sawczuk, T. Autonomic nervous system indices of player readiness during elite-level rugby union game-week microcycles. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3173–3178, 2022—Elite-level rugby union (RU) is a high-intensity contact sport that involves large training and match volumes across a season, which can lead to postmatch fatigue. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation and perceived fatigue have been suggested to relate to measures of training and match load in RU. However, there have been no studies to assess specific ANS variables in elite RU during in-season microcycles. Player readiness during game-week microcycles was measured via heart rate variability (HRV) indices, direct current potential and self-reported well-being among 13, elite, male RU players. To enable comparison, data collection days were categorized in relation to their proximity to match day, ranging from match day minus 3 (MD − 3), to match day plus 3 (MD + 3). Differences between match days were evaluated using general linear models and Cohen's d effect sizes. There were significant differences between MD and MD + 1 for ANS indices (RMSSD p = 0.04, d = −0.66, 95% CI 0.11–1.20; the standard deviation of NN intervals p = 0.04, d = −0.66, 95% CI 0.12–1.20; total power p = 0.05, d = −0.65, 95% CI 0.11–1.20) and wellness measures (readiness p = 0.18; d = −2.33, 95% CI, 1.54–3.13; energy p = 0.02; d = −2.24, 95% CI 1.44–3.03; soreness p = 0.00; d = −2.42, 95% CI 1.63–3.23). Match day plus 3 effects were significantly greater than MD + 1 in several ANS responses, with wellness recovering at a slower time-course than ANS responses. Measures of HRV are dysregulated postmatch, but based on their rapid recovery thereafter, using HRV to assess readiness of elite-level players in RU across a weekly microcycle could be limited and requires further investigation.

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Real-World Fatigue Testing in Professional Rugby Union: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Grainger,

Comfort,

Twist

et al. 2023

Sports Med

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Changes in performance markers and wellbeing in elite senior professional rugby union players during a pre-season period: Analysis of the differences across training phases

Cited by 3 publications

References 35 publications

Ready or Not, Here I Come: A Scoping Review of Methods Used to Assess Player Readiness Via Indicators of Neuromuscular Function in Football Code Athletes

Ready or Not, Here I Come: A Scoping Review of Methods Used to Assess Player Readiness Via Indicators of Neuromuscular Function in Football Code Athletes

Autonomic Nervous System Indices of Player Readiness During Elite-Level Rugby Union Game-Week Microcycles

Real-World Fatigue Testing in Professional Rugby Union: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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