The Use of Accelerometers to Quantify Collisions and Running Demands of Rugby Union Match-Play

Roe, Gregory; Halkier, Matthew; Beggs, Clive; Till, Kevin; Jones, Ben

doi:10.1080/24748668.2016.11868911

Cited by 47 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…As the coding of performance analysis variables can be time-consuming, researchers have used proxy measures of collision activity such as PlayerLoad (PL; a vector magnitude that sums the frequency and magnitude of accelerations in the three axial planes) and PlayerLoad slow (PL slow ; data when the speed is < 2 m s −1 ). Associations between PL, PL slow and collision number have been established (r = 0.79) [33]. Academy players accumulate greater measures of PL slow than school players, potentially indicating greater collision activity [30].…”

Section: Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Studies within senior [21][22][23][24] and youth [25][26][27][28][29] RU have been conducted using video-based time motion analysis or microtechnology devices including Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Specific to male age-grade RU match-play within England, nine studies have been conducted across school [5,9,30], county representative [3], university [5], academy [9,[30][31][32][33][34] and international [35] playing levels. Table 1 summarises the locomotorrelated variables whilst Table 2 shows the speed threshold and PlayerLoad-related variables for physical match-play characteristics.…”

Section: Match-play Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have provided a breakdown of the distance covered using speed thresholds [3,5,9,30,33,35]. Although comparisons are difficult due to the different thresholds utilised (see Table 2), findings demonstrate that most distance in RU match-play is covered at low speeds and backs cover greater distances at higher speeds compared to forwards.…”

Section: Speed Thresholdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The collision activity of youth RU players is yet to be extensively researched. Roe et al [33] is the only study to date that has quantified the number of collisions in U18 academy RU match-play showing forwards and backs completed a similar number of carries (4 ± 3 vs. 4 ± 2) and defensive rucks (2 ± 2 vs. 1 ± 1). However, forwards performed more attacking rucks (11 ± 6 vs. 4 ± 3) and tackles (9 ± 5 vs. 6 ± 3), alongside the addition of 14 ± 5 scrums [33].…”

Section: Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

et al. 2020

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Rugby union (RU) is a skill-collision team sport played at junior and senior levels worldwide. Within England, agegrade rugby governs the participation and talent development of youth players. The RU player development pathway has recently been questioned, regarding player performance and well-being, which sport science research can address. The purpose of this review was to summarise and critically appraise the literature in relation to the applied sport science of male age-grade RU players in England focussing upon (1) match-play characteristics, (2) training exposures, (3) physical qualities, (4) fatigue and recovery, (5) nutrition, (6) psychological challenges and development, and (7) injury. Current research evidence suggests that age, playing level and position influence the match-play characteristics of age-grade RU. Training exposures of players are described as 'organised chaos' due to the multiple environments and stakeholders involved in coordinating training schedules. Fatigue is apparent up to 72 h post match-play. Well-developed physical qualities are important for player development and injury risk reduction. The nutritional requirements are high due to the energetic costs of collisions. Concerns around the psychological characteristics have also been identified (e.g. perfectionism). Injury risk is an important consideration with prevention strategies available. This review highlights the important multi-disciplinary aspects of sport science for developing age-grade RU players for continued participation and player development. The review describes where some current practices may not be optimal, provides a framework to assist practitioners to effectively prepare age-grade players for the holistic demands of youth RU and considers areas for future research. Key PointsAge, playing level and position influence the matchplay characteristics and training exposure of agegrade RU players within England. Coaches and administrators should understand the complexity of match-play and training within age-grade RU and carefully plan and schedule competition and training to optimise long-term player development and participation within the sport. A broad range of physical qualities including body size, speed, change of direction speed, high-intensity running ability and muscular strength and power are important for player development alongside injury prevention and should be strongly considered within the programmes of age-grade RU players. The consideration of training exposure, fatigue and recovery, physical development, nutrition, psychological development and injury management are key topics that inform coach and key stakeholders education for maximising participation and long-term player development of age-grade RU players.

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Section: Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Match-play Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Speed Thresholdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

et al. 2020

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“…However, PLslow.min -1 is the only performance measure that seems to be greater in older age groups and indicates that there becomes a greater amount of activity from collisions and static exertions in representative adolescent rugby union as players get older. PLslow.min -1 has been correlated with collisions (r = 0.79) in adolescent rugby union players (18), and thus provides a proxy measure for this aspect of the game in rugby union. The observed differences between age groups have 9 implications for how practitioners design rugby training and conditioning sessions for players in preparation for the older age group, which this study shows may not be simply an increase in all the physical demands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Demands of Representative Match-Play in Adolescent Rugby Union

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Jones

Phibbs

et al. 2017

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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The purpose of this study was to quantify the physical demands of representative adolescent rugby union match-play and investigate the difference between playing positions and age groups. Players (n=112) were classified into 6 groups by playing position (forwards and backs) and age group (U16, U18, U20). The physical demands were measured using microsensor-based technology and analysed using magnitude based inferences to assess practical importance. Backs had a greater relative distance (except U16s) and a greater highspeed running distance per minute than forwards, with the magnitude of difference between the positions becoming larger in older age groups. Forwards had higher values of PlayerLoad TM per minute (accumulated accelerations from the three axes of movement) and PlayerLoad TM slow per minute (accumulated accelerations from the three axes of movement where velocity is <2 m.s -1 ) than backs at all age groups. Relative distance, low-and highspeed running per minute all had a trend to be lower in older age groups for both positions.PlayerLoad TM per minute was greater in U18 than U16 and U20 for both positions.PlayerLoad TM slow per minute was greater for older age groups besides the U18 and U20 comparisons, which were unclear. The contrasts in physical demands experienced by different positions reinforce the need for greater exposure to sprinting and collision based activity for backs and forwards, respectively. Given PlayerLoad TM metrics peak at U18 and locomotor demands seem to be lower in older ages, the demands of representative adolescent rugby union do not seem to be greater at U20 as expected.

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