Physical Game Demands in Elite Rugby Union: A Global Positioning System Analysis and Possible Implications for Rehabilitation

Coughlan, Garrett F.; Green, Brian S.; Pook, Paul T.; Toolan, Eoin; O’Connor, Sean P.

doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3508

Cited by 93 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…This result is in contrast with previous research, [3,[10][11][12] which has reported backs covering a higher amount of relative distance than forwards. Notably, these previous studies have also reported higher relative speeds for backs than the present study, while the relative distance covered by forwards was comparable.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

“…[9] To date, only four studies have been published describing the movement characteristics of elite professional rugby union players. [3,[10][11][12] The first two of these, Cunniffe et al [3] and Coughlan et al, [10] used similar methodology: tracking a single forward and a single back during an international rugby union match. The results were similar: players covered >6 500 m in both studies and the backs performed a greater number of high-intensity runs and reached greater maximal speeds than the forwards did.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Movement and impact characteristics of South African professional rugby union players

Tee¹

2016

S Afr J SM

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Background. Global positioning system (GPS) technology can provide accurate, non-invasive, real-time movement analysis of players participating in team sports. The application of this technology to rugby union will improve training practices by allowing improved understanding of movement characteristics and more individualised programmes. Objectives. To characterise the movement and impact patterns of South African professional rugby union players during match play and compare these to previously reported data. Methods. Nineteen professional rugby players were tracked using GPS systems during 24 matches during the 2013 rugby season. Players were grouped as (i) backs or forwards and (ii) tight forwards, loose forwards, scrumhalves, inside backs or outside backs. Movements were categorised in speed zones corresponding to walking (0 -2 m.s ). Walking and jogging were classified as low-intensity and striding and sprinting as high-intensity movement zones. An inbuilt triaxial accelerometer (sampling frequency 100 Hz) measured the total impacts >5G and high-intensity impacts >8G. All data were normalised to time on field and reported as mean (standard deviation).Results. There was no difference between forwards and backs in relative distance covered. Backs reached higher maximum speeds than forwards (backs 8.8 (1.1) v. forwards 7.6 (1.3) m.s -1 , effect size (ES) 1.0, and outside backs were the fastest positional group (9.4 (0.9) m.s -1 , ES 0.4 -2.2). Players in all positions spent the majority of time walking (79 -84%). Backs covered more distance than forwards in high-intensity speed zones (forwards 11 (5) v. backs 14 (4) m.min -1 , ES 0.7). Tight forwards covered the most distance in low-intensity zones (63 (6) m.min -1 , ES 0.3 -1.7) while scrumhalves ran the most distance in high-intensity zones (20 (5) m.min -1 , ES 1.2 -3.6). Highintensity : low-intensity running ratios ranged from 1:13 (tight forwards) to 1:3 (scrumhalves). Loose forwards and inside backs exhibited similar movement patterns. There was no difference in impact variables between forwards and backs. Inside backs sustained the least total impacts (6.5 (1.2) >5G.min -1 , ES 0.9 -2.0) and high-intensity impacts (0.7 (0.2) >8G.min -1 , ES 0.5 -1.4). Conclusions. There were notable differences in the movement of professional rugby union players in different positions, and effective training programmes should reflect these variations.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

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confidence: 99%

Movement and impact characteristics of South African professional rugby union players

Tee¹

2016

S Afr J SM

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“…When comparing between positions, U18 and U20 backs covered a likely and very likely greater relative distance than forwards with similar trends highlighted in professional senior players (4,5). Interestingly, at U16 an unclear difference in relative distance was observed and shows that the differences between forwards and backs become more pronounced as age increases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…The locomotive demands of senior professional players have recently been quantified using global positioning systems (GPS) technology (4,5,30). Cahill et al (4) found that in senior players, backs covered greater total (6545 ± 1055 vs. 5850 ± 1101 m) and relative (71.1 ± 11.7 vs. 64.6 ± 6.3 m.min -1 ) distances than forwards in addition to recording a higher maximum velocity (8.4 ± 0.9 vs. 7.3 ± 1.1 m.s -1 ) during sprinting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Demands of Representative Match-Play in Adolescent Rugby Union

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Phibbs

et al. 2017

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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The purpose of this study was to quantify the physical demands of representative adolescent rugby union match-play and investigate the difference between playing positions and age groups. Players (n=112) were classified into 6 groups by playing position (forwards and backs) and age group (U16, U18, U20). The physical demands were measured using microsensor-based technology and analysed using magnitude based inferences to assess practical importance. Backs had a greater relative distance (except U16s) and a greater highspeed running distance per minute than forwards, with the magnitude of difference between the positions becoming larger in older age groups. Forwards had higher values of PlayerLoad TM per minute (accumulated accelerations from the three axes of movement) and PlayerLoad TM slow per minute (accumulated accelerations from the three axes of movement where velocity is <2 m.s -1 ) than backs at all age groups. Relative distance, low-and highspeed running per minute all had a trend to be lower in older age groups for both positions.PlayerLoad TM per minute was greater in U18 than U16 and U20 for both positions.PlayerLoad TM slow per minute was greater for older age groups besides the U18 and U20 comparisons, which were unclear. The contrasts in physical demands experienced by different positions reinforce the need for greater exposure to sprinting and collision based activity for backs and forwards, respectively. Given PlayerLoad TM metrics peak at U18 and locomotor demands seem to be lower in older ages, the demands of representative adolescent rugby union do not seem to be greater at U20 as expected.

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“…Understanding the nature, mechanism and surrounding events is the vital first step for injury prevention in rugby. While injury surveillance and player monitoring has been widely adopted within the professional game, attention must now be given to the amateur game [61][62][63]. By implementing a comprehensive injury surveillance programme, adhering to the IRB consensus guidelines, successful injury prevention strategies may be monitored at any level of the game.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrocardiograms of Children and Adolescents Practicing Non-competitive Sports: Normal Limits and Abnormal Findings in a Large European Cohort Evaluated by Telecardiology

et al. 2016

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Background Rugby union is a physically demanding, fullcontact team sport that has gained worldwide popularity. The incidence of injury in rugby union has been widely reported in the literature. While comprehensive injury surveillance and prevention programmes have been implemented within the professional game, there is a need for similar strategies in the amateur game. Despite recent increases in the volume of research in rugby, there is little consensus regarding the true incidence rate of match and training injuries in senior amateur male rugby union players. Objective The aim of the current review was to systematically review the available evidence on the epidemiology of time-loss injuries in senior amateur male rugby union players and to subsequently conduct a meta-analysis of the findings. Methods A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Google Scholar electronic databases was performed using the following keywords; ('rugby' OR 'rugby union') AND ('amateur' OR 'community') AND ('injur*' OR 'pain*'). Six articles regarding the incidence of injury in senior amateur male rugby union players, in both matches and training, were retrieved and included in the meta-analysis to determine the overall incidence rate of match injury, with descriptive analyses also provided for other reported variables. Results The overall incidence rate of match injuries within senior amateur rugby union players was 46.8/1000 player hours [95% confidence interval (CI) 34.4-59.2]. Contact events accounted for the majority of injuries, with the tackler more at risk than the player being tackled, and with respective incidence rates of 15.9/1000 player hours (95% CI 12.4-19.5) and 12.2/1000 player hours (95% CI 9.3-15.1). Conclusion This meta-analysis found that the incidence rate of injury in amateur rugby union players was lower than that in professional players, but higher than the incidences reported in adolescent and youth rugby players. By understanding the true incidence and nature of injuries in rugby, injury prevention strategies can best be implemented. Future prevention strategies may best be aimed towards the tackle area, specifically to the tackler, in order to minimize injury risk. 2. The incidence rate of injury in senior male amateur rugby union players appears to be lower than that in professional players, but higher than the incidences reported in adolescent and youth rugby players.3.

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Physical Game Demands in Elite Rugby Union: A Global Positioning System Analysis and Possible Implications for Rehabilitation

Cited by 93 publications

References 25 publications

Movement and impact characteristics of South African professional rugby union players

Movement and impact characteristics of South African professional rugby union players

Physical Demands of Representative Match-Play in Adolescent Rugby Union

Electrocardiograms of Children and Adolescents Practicing Non-competitive Sports: Normal Limits and Abnormal Findings in a Large European Cohort Evaluated by Telecardiology

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