Influence of different small-sided games on physical and physiological demands in rugby union players

Vaz, Luís Miguel Teixeira; Gonçalves, Bruno; Figueira, Bruno; García, Gastón César

doi:10.1177/1747954115624823

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(45 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A summary of the methods and results of the studies which include the use of GPS in senior and age-grade male RU players is presented in Tables 1 and 2 , respectively. There were a total of 1206 participants included in 34 studies [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 18 , 23 , 26 – 34 , 39 – 41 , 43 , 46 – 48 , 50 – 53 , 55 , 58 , 62 – 68 ] utilising GPS and AS in senior male RU players (mean ± SD; age 26.2 ± 1.9 years; height 185.7 ± 2.6 cm; mass: 101.3 ± 4.2 kg). Seventeen of these studies reported the number of data files extracted ( n = 3151).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

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

Bridgeman

Gill

2021

Sports Med - Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Results showed no significant differences between experience and novice players. Vaz et al [ 41 ] 14 professional rugby union players. GPSports SPI Pro Data were collected from GPS tracking devices (5 Hz) during small-sided games during an in-season competition period.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Bridgeman

Gill

2021

Sports Med - Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An interesting finding of this study was that despite the differing constraints applied, the movement demands of the two game form structures examined herevolume and quality -were still relatively similar to each other in terms of both mean and peak demands. Research in rugby 15's and field hockey also documented similar running demands for different small sided training game structures (14,43). Previous research demonstrates that team sports players reduce their levels physical exertion in the periods immediately following the highest intensity periods of play (4,29), suggesting that players regulate their levels of exertion to ensure adequate reserves for future periods of play (44).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Utilising a tactical periodization framework to simulate match demands during rugby sevens training

Tee¹,

Diamandis²,

Vilk³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rugby sevens is a demanding sport that requires extensive physical preparation. Travel and logistical challenges in rugby sevens mean that coaches often have limited contact time with players, but must ensure adequate physical, technical and tactical preparation. Tactical periodisation (TP) presents a potential solution by simultaneously developing these aspects of performance, but this concept has not been empirically tested. To investigate the effectiveness of TP, microtechnology devices were used to measure total distance, high-speed distance, maximum velocity, mean acceleration, PlayerLoad and collisions in a group of international sevens rugby players (n=22) during four tournaments and two training camps. Differences in the mean and peak demands of matches and training session types (volume, quality, speed, collision) were determined using linear mixed models and effect sizes (ES) with 95% confidence intervals. Volume and quality training types simulated mean and peak match demands effectively with only PlayerLoad demonstrating a practically important reduction from match exertion (match vs. quality ES = -0.97, 95%CI -1.17 to -0.77). Speed training exceeded the peak high-speed running demands of matches over durations from 1 to 5 minutes (ES range 1.78 to 2.54). These results demonstrate that training guided by tactical periodization principles represents an effective method of preparation during the competition period.

show abstract

“…13 Limited research is available investigating the effect of constraint manipulation on physical and technical characteristics specifically in rugby football codes SSG and contrasting findings can be found in the literature. 14 For example, in terms of physical characteristics, Kennett, Kempton 15 found higher external and internal loads with greater pitch dimensions, whereas Vaz et al 16 observed no effect of pitch dimensions on external and internal loads in rugby union. Similarly, technical characteristics (e.g., total passes) showed both no difference 17 and an increase 18 when pitch dimensions were reduced in rugby league SSG.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences and variability of physical and technical characteristics among rugby union small-sided games performed within a preseason

Zanin

Ranaweera

Darrall-Jones

et al. 2023

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study aimed to investigate the differences in physical and technical characteristics among three specific rugby union small-sided games (SSG) and to examine the variability of these characteristics over three weeks within a preseason of a professional rugby union club. Eighteen backs and 22 forwards were recruited for the study. The three SSG designs were: backs only (SSG-B), forwards only (SSG-F) and both backs and forwards (SSG-BF). Physical characteristics were quantified using external (e.g., total distance covered [m·min−1]) and internal (i.e., Stagno's training impulse [AU·min−1]) load measures. Technical characteristics were quantified using the number of rucks, successful passes, unsuccessful passes, line breaks and tries per minute. The SSG-BF produced a greater high speed (>61%) running distance covered in comparison with SSG-B (1.97 vs. 1.32 m·min−1) and SSG-F (1.26 vs. 0.94 m·min−1), and more successful passes (9.47 vs. 9.36 count·min−1) and line breaks (0.98 vs. 0.65 count·min−1) than SSG-F. Conversely, all the other physical and technical characteristics were higher in SSG-B and SSG-F. All the physical and technical characteristics, except high speed (>61%) distance covered in forwards and unsuccessful passes and tries per minute, changed over days showing either a linear or quadratic pattern. Based on these findings, practitioners may implement position-specific SSG (i.e., SSG-B and SSG-F) to expose players to greater physical and technical characteristics. Furthermore, if SSGs were to be repeated across multiple days, practitioners should be aware of the possible variability in physical and technical characteristics due to potential adaptations to the constraints or the onset of fatigue.

show abstract

Influence of different small-sided games on physical and physiological demands in rugby union players

Cited by 13 publications

References 30 publications

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

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

Utilising a tactical periodization framework to simulate match demands during rugby sevens training

Differences and variability of physical and technical characteristics among rugby union small-sided games performed within a preseason

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About