Applied Sport Science of Rugby League

Abstract

Rugby league is a team sport in which players engage in repeated high-intensity exercise involving frequent collisions. Recent research, much of which has involved global positioning system (GPS) technology, has provided coaches and sport scientists with a deeper understanding of match demands, particularly at the elite level. This has allowed for the development of training programmes that prepare players for the most intense contact and running demands likely to be experienced in competition. At the elite level, rugby league players have well-developed aerobic and anaerobic endurance, muscular strength and power, reactive agility, and speed. Upper- and lower-body strength and aerobic power are associated with a broad range of technical and sport-specific skills, in addition to a lower risk of injury. Significant muscle damage (as estimated from creatine kinase concentrations) and fatigue occurs as a result of match-play; while muscle function and perceptual fatigue generally return to baseline 48 h following competition, increases in plasma concentrations of creatine kinase can last for up to 5 days post-match. Well-developed physical qualities may minimise post-match fatigue and facilitate recovery. Ultimately, the literature highlights that players require a broad range of physical and technical skills developed through specific training. This review evaluates the demands of the modern game, drawing on research that has used GPS technology. These findings highlight that preparing players based on the average demands of competition is likely to leave them underprepared for the most demanding passages of play. As such, coaches should incorporate drills that replicate the most intense repeated high-intensity demands of competition in order to prepare players for the worst-case scenarios expected during match-play.

Physical Qualities of International Female Rugby League Players by Playing Position

“…Regardless of sex, the greater body mass and stature of forwards are likely favourable for their respective positional requirements, as forwards are involved in more collisions than backs (21). The stature and body mass of players from this respective English cohort were shorter and heavier than their Australian counterparts (forwards and backs; 169.0 ± 6.6 and 166.1 ± 65.4 cm, and 75.5 ± 12.5 and 64.7 ± 7.6 kg (14)).…”

“…Studies in male rugby league players have shown that forwards are involved in more collisions, while backs are involved in more high-speed (>5 m.sec -1 ) running (39, 40). Previous studies in males (10)(11)(12)(13)21) have identified forwards are taller, heavier, stronger and more powerful, with higher body fat than backs. Backs are reportedly faster, more agile, with a greater aerobic capacity than forwards (21).…”

“…Previous studies in males (10)(11)(12)(13)21) have identified forwards are taller, heavier, stronger and more powerful, with higher body fat than backs. Backs are reportedly faster, more agile, with a greater aerobic capacity than forwards (21). Despite known positional differences for male rugby league players, data for female rugby league players are limited to only one study (14), with no study investigating English players.…”

“…Rugby league is an intermittent, collision-based team sport played across junior and senior age categories by both sexes worldwide (21). Rugby league consists of frequent bouts of high intensity activity (i.e., sprinting) and collisions (i.e., offensive ball carries and defensive tackles) separated by bouts of low intensity activity (i.e., walking, jogging; (39)).…”

“…Rugby league consists of frequent bouts of high intensity activity (i.e., sprinting) and collisions (i.e., offensive ball carries and defensive tackles) separated by bouts of low intensity activity (i.e., walking, jogging; (39)). As such, players are required to have highly developed anthropometry, and aerobic and anaerobic capacities due to the demands of match play (21).…”