The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the movement characteristics of elite rugby union players during competitive play and identify whether position-related differences exist. Ninety-eight elite players from eight English Premiership Clubs were tracked using global positioning systems (GPS) during 44 competitive matches throughout the 2010/2011 season. Player positions were defined as: (1) backs or forwards; (2) front, second and back rows, scrum half, inside and outside backs; (3) 15 individual positions (numbers 1-15). Analysis revealed the game is predominantly played at low speeds with little distance covered 'sprinting' by either the backs (50 ± 76 m) or the forwards (37 ± 64 m). The backs travelled greater (P < 0.05) absolute and relative distances than the forwards. The scrum half covered the greatest total distance during a match (7098 ± 778 m) and the front row the least (5158 ± 200 m). The back row covered the greatest distances at 'sprinting' speeds, particularly the number 8 position (77 m). These findings reflect notable differences in the movement characteristics displayed by elite rugby union players in specific positional roles, and reinforce the contemporary view that training programmes for such players ought to be structured with this in mind.

Twelve elite players from an English Super League club consented to participate in the present study using portable global positioning system (GPS) devices to assess position-specific demands. Distances covered at low-intensity running, moderate-intensity running, high-intensity running, very high-intensity running, and total distance were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in forwards compared with outside backs and adjustables. Metres per minute was higher in adjustables and forwards, owing to higher values for relative distance in medium-intensity running and a rise in high-intensity running from previous absolute values. Sprint distance, sprint frequency, and peak speed were higher in outside backs than both adjustables and forwards. A moderate, significant correlation (r = 0.62, P = 0.001) was apparent between session ratings of perceived exertion and summated heart rate. Results support the requirement for position-specific conditioning and provide preliminary evidence for the use of session ratings of perceived exertion as a measure of match load.

There has been no previous investigation of the concurrent validity and reliability of the current 5 Hz global positioning system (GPS) to assess sprinting speed or the reliability of integrated GPS-accelerometer technology. In the present study, we wished to determine: (1) the concurrent validity and reliability of a GPS and timing gates to measure sprinting speed or distance, and (2) the reliability of proper accelerations recorded via GPS-accelerometer integration. Nineteen elite youth rugby league players performed two over-ground sprints and were simultaneously assessed using GPS and timing gates. The GPS measurements systematically underestimated both distance and timing gate speed. The GPS measurements were reliable for all variables of distance and speed (coefficient of variation [CV] = 1.62% to 2.3%), particularly peak speed (95% limits of agreement [LOA] = 0.00 ± 0.8 km · h(-1); CV = 0.78%). Timing gates were more reliable (CV = 1% to 1.54%) than equivalent GPS measurements. Accelerometer measurements were least reliable (CV = 4.69% to 5.16%), particularly for the frequency of proper accelerations (95% LOA = 1.00 ± 5.43; CV = 14.12%). Timing gates and GPS were found to reliably assess speed and distance, although the validity of the GPS remains questionable. The error found in accelerometer measurements indicates the limits of this device for detecting changes in performance.

This study investigated changes in anthropometry and performance, and their interrelationships, across three consecutive seasons (under-15 to under-17

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