The temporal distribution and occurrence of impacts and movement relative to peak periods in men's rugby union

Testing in Intermittent Sports—Importance for Training and Performance Optimization in Adult Athletes

“…or series of rallies in a racquet sports) (10,(139)(140)(141)(142)(143)(144)(145). For example, although the sport on average does not entail exercise requiring high aerobic power, the occurrence of some intense exercise sequences taxing this attribute may be important for the athlete.…”

“…However, the erratic nature also entails that such average levels are inadequate at fully appreciating intensity fluctuations in intermittent sports, although such assessments are those most commonly available (105). Thus, it is recommended to conduct more detailed, individualized analyses of game demands based on game observations and tracking to inform a needs and capacity analysis and establish an understanding of intensity fluctuations including “peak game demands” or “worst-case scenarios,” that is, the highest-intensity exercise sequences commonly endured throughout a game in, e.g., ~1- to 5-min periods (considered in respect to different metrics including distances covered, high-speed running, or acceleration/deceleration demands) or even shorter (e.g., the demands during an intense single rally or series of rallies in a racquet sports) (10,139–145). For example, although the sport on average does not entail exercise requiring high aerobic power, the occurrence of some intense exercise sequences taxing this attribute may be important for the athlete.…”