No abstract

Ball, S, Halaki, M, and Orr, R. Movement demands of rugby sevens in men and women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3475–3490, 2019—Global positioning systems (GPS) provide comprehensive information of player movement demands in rugby 7's. Although studies have investigated the use of GPS within many field-based team sports, the application of GPS within rugby 7's remains unclear. The aim of this review was to evaluate the movement demands and conduct a meta-analysis on comparable GPS measures to assess player movement in rugby 7's. A systematic search of electronic databases Medline, SPORTDiscus, Cinahl, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase was performed. The search strategy combined terms covering: global positioning systems AND rugby union. Studies were included if they contained rugby sevens' players monitored by GPS. Meta-analyses were conducted to provide a pooled mean and confidence intervals (CIs) on outcomes for data extracted from at least 3 studies. A total of 24 publications were eligible for review and included 661 (447 male and 214 female) rugby 7's players. Meta-analysis indicated that male players cover greater relative distance (male: 108.5 m·min−1, 95% CI [104.9–112.1] m·min−1, female: 100.3 m·min−1, 95% CI [96.0–104.7] m·min−1), distance at >12.6 km·h−1 (male: 449.3 m, 95% CI [427.0–471.5] m, female: 339.5 m, 95% CI [291.1–387.9] m) and >18.0 km·h−1 (male: 190.3 m, 95% CI [180.7–199.9] m, female: 129.9 m, 95% CI [99.9–159.8] m), and have a greater maximum velocity compared with female players (male: 29.8 km·h−1, 95% CI [29.2–30.4] km·h−1, female: 24.6 km·h−1, 95% CI [23.3–25.9] km·h−1), whereas relative distance is higher for the first half (109.5 m·min−1, 95% CI [99.1–120.0] m·min−1) compared with the second half (93.8 m·min−1, 95% CI [87.4–100.1] m·min−1) of match play across sexes and playing levels. Independent velocity zone classifications should apply for male and female players, whereas velocity thresholds should remain consistent across studies. Rugby 7's training intensity should vary between male and female players.

Positional differences in body composition, performance, injury characteristics, and match injury patterns were identified in junior university rugby union players, indicating the need for position-specific training programs to reduce risk of injury.

A higher level of play may result in higher match injury incidence. Muscle and tendon injuries were the most common type of soft tissue injury, while the lower limb was the most common location of injury in rugby union players, and running was responsible for the highest injury incidence during non-contact events.

Context Rugby union is a field-based collision sport with high injury rates. Associations between injury characteristics and global positioning system–derived movement demands in rugby union athletes are yet to be investigated. Objective To investigate associations between match injuries and movement demands, anthropometrics, and physical performance in under-20-years university-level rugby union players. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Competition season. Patients or Other Participants Rugby union players (n = 34, age = 19.3 ± 0.6 years) from a university club were recruited. Main Outcome Measure(s) Acute medical attention non–time-loss (NTL), medical-attention time-loss (TL), and total medical-attention (MA) injuries sustained were recorded. Principal component (PC) analysis was performed on player-movement demand variables to identify independent-movement demand components. Pearson correlation and bivariate linear regression were used to test associations between match injuries and PCs. Anthropometric and physical performance measures were tested as predictors of match injuries using a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results Backs had lower anthropometric and performance measures than forwards (P < .05), whereas forwards performed fewer weekly movement demands than backs (P < .05). Increases in body mass and skinfold thickness were associated with more injuries (P < .05). Principal component analysis revealed 3 PCs representing overall performance, high-intensity running (HIR) performance, and impacts. Increases in HIR were associated with decreases in NTL upper limb and trunk (r = −0.32, P = .03), NTL musculoskeletal (r = −0.36, P = .05), NTL total (r = −0.46, P < .01), TL musculoskeletal (r = −0.30, P = .05), MA musculoskeletal (r = −0.41, P < .01), and MA total (r = −0.48, P < .01) injuries. Increases in impacts were associated with increased TL (r = 0.32, P = .03) and MA (r = 0.33, P = .03) head or neck injuries. Conclusions Backs experienced greater weekly movement demands than forwards. Increases in HIR demands were associated with decreased acute injuries in university rugby players. Increases in impacts were associated with more acute head or neck injuries. Positional differences in movement demands, anthropometrics, and physical performance highlight the need for position-specific training.