Dobbin, N, Hunwicks, R, Highton, J, and Twist, C. Reliable testing battery for assessing physical qualities of elite academy rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2017-This study assessed the interday reliability of a testing battery for the assessment of physical qualities of rugby league players. Fifty players (age 17.1 ± 1.1 years; stature 181.3 ± 6.3 cm; and body mass 89.0 ± 11.6 kg) from 3 Super League academies participated in this study. Tests of countermovement jump performance, 10- and 20-m sprint performance, change of direction, medicine ball throw, and a modified Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (prone Yo-Yo IR1) were completed on 3 separate occasions. Between-day intraclass correlation coefficient, typical error (TE), coefficient of variation, and the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated to determine the reliability and sensitivity of each measure. Individual tests (except medicine ball throw) were not systematically different between trials (p > 0.05), with an interday variability that was <10%. In all instances, the TE was larger than the calculated SWC change, although variability was less than that typically observed after a training intervention or specific training period (i.e., preseason). Using a magnitude-based inference approach, we present the required change for all performance tests to be 75% confident and the change is beneficial. This simple and time efficient testing battery is sufficiently reliable to detect previously observed changes in a range of physical qualities of rugby league players.

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This study quantified, and compared, the whole-half-and peak-match running demands of professional club and international under-16 rugby league match-play. Four professional Club (n = 30) and two International (n = 23) under-16 matches were analysed using 10-Hz micro-technology units, with players analysed according to positional groups. Absolute (m) and relative (RD; m.min-1) total, high speed (>5 m•s-1 ; HSR) and sprint (>7 m•s-1) distance were analysed for whole-and half-match alongside maximum velocity (VMAX; m.s-1). Peak running demands were determined via moving averages of RD for 10, 30, and 60-to 600seconds. International forwards had most likely higher whole match relative sprint and VMAX, and 1 st half RD than club level, and had very likely higher peak running demands at 60-, 180and 600-second durations. For backs, whole game RD was most likely higher and total and sprint distance was likely higher at club level matches. Peak RD was also very likely higher for club backs at 10-and 60-seconds. The running demand differences between club and international level at the under-16 age group are position dependent, with greater running demands at club level match play for backs, but at the international level of forwards.