Internal-Training-Load Monitoring, Notational and Time-Motion Analyses, Psychometric Status, and Neuromuscular Responses in Elite Rugby Union

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to verify if practicing tackles during rugby union training sessions would affect the players’ internal training load and acute strength loss. Method: A total of 9 male Italian Serie A rugby union players (age: 21 [2] y) were monitored by means of an integrated approach across 17 sessions, 6 with tackles (WT) and 11 with no tackles (NT). Edwards training load was quantified using heart-rate monitoring. Global positioning system devices were used to quantify the total distance and time at >20 W. Work-to-rest ratio was quantified by means of a video analysis. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the session, the players’ well-being and rating of perceived exertion were measured, respectively. The countermovement jump and plyometric push-up jump tests were performed on a force plate to record the players’ PRE–POST concentric peak force. Linear mixed models were applied to quantify the differences between WT and NT in terms of training load and PRE–POST force deltas, even controlling for other training factors. Results: The Edwards training load (estimated mean [EM]; standard error [SE]; WT: EM = 214, SE = 11.8; NT: EM = 194, SE = 11.1; P = .01) and session rating of perceived exertion (WT: EM = 379, SE = 21.9; NT: EM = 277, SE = 16.4; P < .001) were higher in WT than in NT. Conversely, no difference between the sessions emerged in the countermovement jump and plyometric push-up concentric peak force deltas. Conclusions: Although elite rugby union players’ external and internal training load can be influenced by practicing tackles, upper- and lower-limb strength seem to not be affected.

A four-season study quantifying the weekly external training loads during different between match microcycle lengths in professional rugby league

“…Firstly, data was only collected from one club meaning that the findings may only be specific to the players and coaches within that club. A second limitation of the study is the sole use of external load measurements, the inclusion of an internal load variable would provide a more holistic view of training load and variances between players and head coaches [ 23 ]. The greatest limitation of the study is the lack of quantification of collision data.…”

Influence of Congested Match Schedules, Pre-Match Well-Being and Level of Opponents on Match Loads during World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series

“…A five-point Likert well-being questionnaire (scores 1-5), which was previously used in team sport athletes [11][12][13], was collected daily using cloud-based software (Google Docs) to assess a player's perceived fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness, stress levels and mood. The individual, overall wellness of each player was then calculated by summing the scores across each item assessed [11,13].…”

Quantifying Fatigue in the Rugby Codes: The Interplay Between Collision Characteristics and Neuromuscular Performance, Biochemical Measures, and Self-Reported Assessments of Fatigue

“…A considerable advantage of our conceptualisation is that it offers testable hypotheses about the effects of collision and locomotor loads in rugby. For example, according to the model (Figures 2, 3), the relative importance of fatigue types and time courses will differ depending on exposure to collision and locomotor external loads (Brustio et al, 2020;Lupo et al, 2021), and the individual characteristics of the athlete being exposed (Johnston et al, 2015). This can be conceptualised as a mediation relationship (Hayes, 2009), which is present and expanded on (Figure 4).…”