Pre-season training responses and their associations with training load in elite rugby league players

Abstract

Strength, power and endurance characteristics and their association with training load during a 7-week preseason training phase was assessed in elite rugby league players. Twenty-two players (age 23.3 ± 4.4 years) performed bench throw, one repetition maximum (1RM) bench press, squat jumps, three repetition maximum (3RM) squats, prone pull ups and prone Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) before and after the 7-week preseason period. Training was classified into Gym, Field and Wrestle, with training load of each monitored using session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) multiplied by training duration (sRPE-TL). There were most likely improvements in 3RM back squat, prone pull-ups and Yo-Yo IR1 and likely improvements in bench press, bench throw and squat jump after the 7week training programme (ES = 0.3 to 1.2). Accumulated sRPE-TL for Gym, Field and Wrestle sessions was 9176 ± 1187, 10906 ± 2162, and 1072 ± 315 AU, respectively.Relationships between mean weekly sRPE-TL and changes in physical qualities was trivial to large (r = -0.67 to 0.34). This study suggests sRPE-TL is unsuitable to detect doseresponse relationships between training load and the changes in physical qualities of elite rugby league players during the pre-season period.

Seasonal Changes in Strength and Power in Elite Rugby League: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Based on the collective findings following the preseason, a greater increase in lower body strength was observed when players lifted predominantly heavier loads ( 80% 1 RM) during resistance training sessions (Figure 2; A) over five -eight weeks, completing two -four sessions per week (Comfort et al, 2012;de Lacey et al, 2014a;Harris et al, 2008;O'Connor and Crowe, 2007;Rogerson et al, 2007). During the pre-season concurrent training load is at its peak and this along with the concomitant lighter lower body resistance training loads, appears to result in smaller improvements in lower body strength (Table 1) (Daniels et al, 2019;Harris et al, 2008). Moreover, superior increases in upper body pushing strength may be attributed to prescription of lower repetitions and higher loads (Table 1) (O'Connor and Crowe, 2007;Rogerson et al, 2007).…”

“…Conversely, two studies reported a large increase in relative peak power (de Lacey et al, 2014a;O'Connor and Crowe, 2007) (Table 1). One study reported small increases in bench throw peak power (Daniels et al, 2019). The meta-analysis of three lower body power studies (Figure 2; C) showed an overall moderate increase and low non-significant heterogeneity of studies (I 2 = 0%; p = 0.64).…”

“…Four studies reported large increases in lower body strength, all of which prescribed heavy loads (≥80% 1 RM) (Comfort et al, 2012;Harris et al, 2008;O'Connor and Crowe, 2007;Rogerson et al, 2007). While, studies that prescribed lighter loads showed small to moderate improvements (Daniels et al, 2019;Harris et al, 2008). The meta-analysis showed an overall large increase of lower body strength (Figure 2; A) with significant and high heterogeneity of studies (I 2 = 63%; p = 0.01).…”

“…The meta-analysis showed an overall large increase of lower body strength (Figure 2; A) with significant and high heterogeneity of studies (I 2 = 63%; p = 0.01). Three studies showed small to large increases in upper body pushing and pulling strength following pre-season training (Daniels et al, 2019;O'Connor and Crowe, 2007;Rogerson et al, 2007). Pooling these studies showed large increases in upper body strength (Figure 2; B) with non-significant and moderate heterogeneity of studies (I 2 = 35%; p = 0.15).…”

“…Six studies examined changes in strength and power during an elite rugby league pre-season. A wide variety of training volumes and intensities were prescribed, during five to eight weeks, eliciting strength gains (Table 1) (Comfort et al, 2012;Daniels et al, 2019;Harris et al, 2008;O'Connor and Crowe, 2007;Rogerson et al, 2007). Four studies reported large increases in lower body strength, all of which prescribed heavy loads (≥80% 1 RM) (Comfort et al, 2012;Harris et al, 2008;O'Connor and Crowe, 2007;Rogerson et al, 2007).…”