Preconditioning Strategy in Rugby-7s Players: Beneficial or Detrimental?

Abstract

Purpose: Preconditioning strategies are considered opportunities to optimize performance on competition day. Although investigations conducted in rugby players on the effects of a morning preconditioning session have been done, additional work is warranted. The aim of this study was to monitor changes in physical and psychophysiological indicators among international Rugby-7s players after a priming exercise. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, 14 under-18 international Rugby-7s players completed, at 8:00 AM, a preconditioning session consisting of a warm-up followed by small-sided games, accelerations, and 2 × 50-m maximal sprints (Experimental), or no preloading session (Control). After a 2-h break, the players performed a set of six 30-m sprints and a Rugby-7s match. Recovery–stress state and salivary stress-marker levels were assessed before the preloading session (Pre), immediately after the preloading session (Post 1), before the testing session (Post 2), and after the testing session (Post 3). Results: Experimental–Control differences in performance across a repeated-sprint test consisting of six 30-m sprints were very likely trivial (+0.2, ±0.7%, 3/97/1%). During the match, the total distance covered and the frequency of decelerations were possibly lower (small) in Experimental compared with Control. Differences observed in the other parameters were unclear or possibly trivial. At Post 2, the perceived recovery–stress state was improved (small difference) in Experimental compared with Control. No difference in salivary cortisol response was observed, while the preconditioning session induced a higher stimulation of salivary testosterone and α-amylase. Conclusions: The players’ ability to repeat sprints and physical activity in match play did not improve, but their psychophysiological state was positively affected after the present preconditioning session.

Delayed potentiation effects on neuromuscular performance after optimal load and high load resistance priming sessions using velocity loss

“…This increase in fatigue, has meant that resistance training sessions have been avoided (Harrison et al, 2019b) in the hours prior to a competition, as sport performance could be impaired. For this reason, since lower training volumes may follow a shorter time-course of fatigue (Bartolomei et al, 2017), recovery and supercompensation (Latella et al, 2017), several investigations have aimed to identify if different training set configurations may acutely improve different markers of sport performance (Cook et al, 2014;Fry et al, 1995;Marrier et al, 2018;Russell et al, 2016;Saez Saez de Villarreal et al, 2007;Tsoukos et al, 2018). Our results from the priming session with the OL showed a non-statistically significant increase in CMJ height (Table II) compared to CON, but 45% (5/11) of the participants increased their CMJ height more than the SEM (1.3 cm).…”

“Road to Rio”: A Case Study of Workload Periodization Strategy in Rugby-7s During an Olympic Season

“…For the third step, the staff planned a simulation of the competition, consisting of 6 games, almost 3 weeks before the Olympic tournament. Overall, including the preconditioning session performed 3 h before the first simulated game (Marrier et al, 2018a ), players performed seven metabolic sessions, simulating Rugby-7s games, with intensities higher than real game demands (>120 m.min −1 ). Another objective, during this last high TL microcycle, was to acclimatize the athletes to the heat and humidity observed in Rio de Janeiro.…”

Effects of Resistance Priming Exercise on Within-day Jumping Performance and its Relationship with Strength Level

“…Subjective readiness was assessed using an adaptation of the short recovery stress scale (SRSS) [21] at pre and 6h. In the SRSS the domain is scored directly using a 7-point Likert scale (0-6) where '0' means 'does not apply at all' and '6' means 'fully applies'.…”