Long-Term Training-Induced Changes in Sprinting Speed and Sprint Momentum in Elite Rugby Union Players

Abstract

Speed and sprint momentum are considered to be important physical qualities for rugby. The purpose of the study was to understand the development of these qualities in senior and junior international rugby players. In part 1 of the study, a group of senior (n = 38) and junior (n = 31) players were tested for speed over 40 m. Initial sprint velocity (ISV), maximal sprint velocity (MSV), initial sprint momentum (ISM), and maximal sprint momentum (MSM) were calculated using 10-m splits. In part 2 of the study, a group of junior (n = 12) and senior (n = 15) players were tracked over a 2-year period for body mass, ISV, MSV, ISM, and MSM. In part 1, senior backs and forwards were not found to have significantly greater ISV and MSV than junior players but were found to have greater ISM and MSM. Forwards were found to have significantly greater ISM and MSM than backs but significantly lower ISV and MSV than backs. In part 2, no significant differences were found over the 2 years between senior and junior players, but greater effect sizes for juniors were generally found when compared with seniors for improvements in ISV (d = 0.73 vs. 0.79), MSV (d = 1.09 vs. 0.68), ISM (d = 0.96 vs. 0.54), and MSM (d = 1.15 vs. 0.50). Sprint momentum is a key discriminator between senior and junior players, and large changes can be made by junior players as they transition into senior rugby. Speed appears to peak for players in their early 20s but sprint momentum appears to be more trainable.

Strength and Conditioning Practices in Adolescent Rugby Players: Relationship With Changes in Physical Qualities

“…Due to the trivial changes in speed, it can confidently be stated that improvements in maximal sprint momentum were most likely attributed to improvements in body mass. These changes have occurred in other rugby union and rugby league athletes of a similar age, with changes thought to be due to maturation and increased body mass of the player rather than large improvements in velocity (3,39).…”

Reliability and Usefulness of Linear Sprint Testing in Adolescent Rugby Union and League Players

“…Linear sprint testing is common for athletes (3,4,17,24,32). It is assumed that distances of 5 to 10 m can be used to assess an individual's ability to accelerate, while maximal velocities are considered to manifest between 20 and 40 m (3,4,32).…”

“…It is assumed that distances of 5 to 10 m can be used to assess an individual's ability to accelerate, while maximal velocities are considered to manifest between 20 and 40 m (3,4,32). While sprint time in isolation may not be considered a discriminate physical quality, it has been highlighted as influencing whether players start in Australian rules football (AFL), alongside measures of leg power, and high intensity running ability (32).…”

The Effect of Body Mass on the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test in Rugby Union Players

“…1 High levels of contact during match-play favour players with increased body mass, 2 whilst momentum is considered an important physical quality for successful performance. 3 Therefore, the movement and physical demands of match-play require high levels of aerobic capacity, speed and optimal body composition. 4 Physical testing of junior rugby union players has identified that high-intensity running ability, assessed via the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) 5 and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IRTL1) 6 does not increase with age.…”