The ball in play demands of international rugby union

Pollard, Benjamin T.; Turner, Anthony N.; Eager, Robin; Cunningham, Daniel J.; Cook, Christian J.; Hogben, Patrick; Kilduff, Liam P.

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2018.02.015

Cited by 55 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Furthermore, the maximum average speed using a 0.1-s rolling mean for a 1min period during U18 academy RU ranged between 154 ± 17 (front row) and 185 ± 20 (scrum-half) m min −1 demonstrating substantially greater values than those presented in whole match analysis [31]. These values can be used when planning, 'live' monitoring and retrospectively analysing training so players are prepared for the 'worstcase scenario' during matches as in recently completed studies in senior international players [7,38].…”

Section: Absolute and Relative Distance Measuresmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Players are commonly split into two positional sub-groups ('backs' or 'forwards') or six sub-positions of front row ('prop', 'hooker'), second row, back row ('flanker', 'number eight'), scrum-half, inside backs ('flyhalf', 'inside centre', 'outside centre') and outside backs ('fullback', 'wing'). Typically, backs perform more running, whilst forwards undertake increased collision and contact activities [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the purpose of this review article was to summarise and critically appraise the scientific literature in relation to the applied sport science of male age-grade RU focussing upon England. This included (1) matchplay characteristics, (2) training exposures, (3) physical qualities, (4) fatigue and recovery, (5) nutrition, (6) psychological challenges and development and (7) injury. The review focussed upon RU in England based upon the structure of their age-grade programme and the importance of context within sport science [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

et al. 2020

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Rugby union (RU) is a skill-collision team sport played at junior and senior levels worldwide. Within England, agegrade rugby governs the participation and talent development of youth players. The RU player development pathway has recently been questioned, regarding player performance and well-being, which sport science research can address. The purpose of this review was to summarise and critically appraise the literature in relation to the applied sport science of male age-grade RU players in England focussing upon (1) match-play characteristics, (2) training exposures, (3) physical qualities, (4) fatigue and recovery, (5) nutrition, (6) psychological challenges and development, and (7) injury. Current research evidence suggests that age, playing level and position influence the match-play characteristics of age-grade RU. Training exposures of players are described as 'organised chaos' due to the multiple environments and stakeholders involved in coordinating training schedules. Fatigue is apparent up to 72 h post match-play. Well-developed physical qualities are important for player development and injury risk reduction. The nutritional requirements are high due to the energetic costs of collisions. Concerns around the psychological characteristics have also been identified (e.g. perfectionism). Injury risk is an important consideration with prevention strategies available. This review highlights the important multi-disciplinary aspects of sport science for developing age-grade RU players for continued participation and player development. The review describes where some current practices may not be optimal, provides a framework to assist practitioners to effectively prepare age-grade players for the holistic demands of youth RU and considers areas for future research. Key PointsAge, playing level and position influence the matchplay characteristics and training exposure of agegrade RU players within England. Coaches and administrators should understand the complexity of match-play and training within age-grade RU and carefully plan and schedule competition and training to optimise long-term player development and participation within the sport. A broad range of physical qualities including body size, speed, change of direction speed, high-intensity running ability and muscular strength and power are important for player development alongside injury prevention and should be strongly considered within the programmes of age-grade RU players. The consideration of training exposure, fatigue and recovery, physical development, nutrition, psychological development and injury management are key topics that inform coach and key stakeholders education for maximising participation and long-term player development of age-grade RU players.

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Section: Absolute and Relative Distance Measuresmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

et al. 2020

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“…Recent studies suggest that rolling average (ROLL) is more accurate than the FIXED method [20,21]. "Most demanding periods", "most demanding passages", "most intense periods" and "worst case scenario (WCS)" tend to be the most common terms that researchers use to refer to the peak match demands [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. This topic has been previously investigated in other sports such as rugby league [29], rugby union [22,26,30,31], soccer [23,25,[32][33][34], mixed martial arts [27] or Australian football [21], but to our knowledge, few studies have reported information about WCS in basketball [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peak Match Demands in Young Basketball Players: Approach and Applications

Alonso

Miranda

Zhang

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Background: The aim of this study is to describe the peak match demands and compare them with average demands in basketball players, from an external load point of view, using different time windows. Another objective is to determine whether there are differences between positions and to provide an approach for practical applications. Methods: During this observational study, each player wore a micro technology device. We collected data from 12 male basketball players (mean ± SD: age 17.56 ± 0.67 years, height 196.17 ± 6.71 cm, body mass 90.83 ± 11.16 kg) during eight games. We analyzed intervals for different time windows using rolling averages (ROLL) to determine the peak match demands for Player Load. A separate one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify statistically significant differences between playing positions across different intense periods. Results: Separate one-way ANOVAs revealed statistically significant differences between 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, and full game periods for Player Load, F (3,168) = 231.80, ηp2 = 0.76, large, p < 0.001. It is worth noting that guards produced a statistically significantly higher Player Load in 5 min (p < 0.01, ηp2 = −0.69, moderate), 10 min (p < 0.001, ηp2 = −0.90, moderate), and full game (p < 0.001, ηp2 = −0.96, moderate) periods than forwards. Conclusions: The main finding is that there are significant differences between the most intense moments of a game and the average demands. This means that understanding game demands using averages drastically underestimates the peak demands of the game. This approach helps coaches and fitness coaches to prepare athletes for the most demanding periods of the game and present potential practical applications that could be implemented during training and rehabilitation sessions.

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“…This may be due to the standard of players and their ability to keeping the ball alive for longer at a higher intensity. It should also be noted that Pollard et al, (2018) used the "worst case scenario", the plays with the highest intensity not the maximum ball in play time as VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 3 | 2020 | 483 Reardon et al, (2017) defined the "worst case scenario" as "the single longest period of continuous ball-inplay time from a game", it may not in some cases be the play with the highest intensity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Journal of Human Sport and Exercise - 2020 - Spring Conferences of Sports Science

2020

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Purpose: Rugby union referee research has reported the game demands for whole game averages and comparisons between each half and 10 minute periods. No study has reported the movement game demands for the maximum ball in play time for referees. The purpose of this study was to quantify the maximum ball in play (Max BiP) demands termed "worst case scenario" (WCS) of sub-elite rugby union referees using 10Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) units. Method: Movement demands of ten (n = 10) sub-elite referees across 27 matches, played during the 2017/18 All Ireland League Division 1, was calculated using 10Hz GPS units. The total distance covered (m), relative distance (m.min-1), percentage time in 6 velocity zones, were reported across the whole match, 1 st half, 2 nd half, 10minute periods and the maximum ball in play time using paired sample t-tests. Cohen's d effect sizes were reported. Results: The maximum ball in play time was reported to be 172 ± 71 sec. The relative distance during Max BiP (107.9 ± 22.54 m.min-1) was significantly higher (p < .005) than whole match (75.1 ± 8.6 m.min-1) and 1 st half (75.4 ± 8.7 m.min-1) & 2 nd half (74.8 ± 13.1 m.min-1). During the Max BiP, referees spend a significantly higher (p < .005) percentage of time above whole game averages for walking (.5-2.0 m.s-1), jogging (2.01-4.0 m.s-1), running (4.01-5.5 m.s-1) and lower for high speed running (5.51-7.00 m.s-1) and sprinting (> 7.01 m.s-1). Conclusion: The results of this study quantifies the Max BiP movement demands for a sub-elite rugby union referee which are higher than those reported in whole game averages, 1 st & 2 nd halves and some 10min periods. These results provide sports scientists with the worst case scenario demands and can allow for these demands to be replicated in training with those experienced in matches.

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The ball in play demands of international rugby union

Cited by 55 publications

References 27 publications

Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

Peak Match Demands in Young Basketball Players: Approach and Applications

Journal of Human Sport and Exercise - 2020 - Spring Conferences of Sports Science

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