The relationship between physical characteristics and match performance in rugby sevens

Abstract

Rugby sevens is a sport that requires a multitude of well-developed physical fitness qualities. Understanding the degree to which different physical characteristics relate to match performance provides practitioners with useful information for training programme design. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical characteristics and activities related to success in rugby sevens matches. Fitness test and match activity data were collected from 40 international and provincial rugby sevens players. Sprint speed over 10 m and 40 m had moderate to large (0.32-0.51) negative correlations (r) with line breaks, defenders beaten and tackle effectiveness. Repeated sprint ability and maximal aerobic capacity were moderately related to a measure of work rate (~0.38). Mixed-model analysis revealed a decrease of two between-player standard deviations in 10 m sprint time to be associated with an increase of 74% more line breaks per match. The results of this study suggest multiple physical characteristics are related to match performance in rugby sevens.

Game movement demands and physical profiles of junior, senior and elite male and female rugby sevens players

“…Elite female players in this study completed on-field movements slightly below (~30% less total distance, ~14% lower relative total distance, but equivalent % distance >5 m.s (Ross et al, 2015b;Ross et al, 2015c) and report similar outcomes to the current study.…”

“…In men's rugby sevens, faster 10 and 40 m sprint times correspond (r = 0.32-0.51) to a greater number of line breaks, effective tackles made and defenders beaten during games (Ross, Gill, Cronin, & Malcata, 2015b). Similar relationships are evident in men's rugby union (Smart et al, 2011), rugby league (Gabbett et al, 2011) and Australian Football (Young & Pryor, 2007).…”

Variable Changes in Body Composition, Strength and Lower-Body Power During an International Rugby Sevens Season

“…In testing completed one month prior to rugby sevens tournaments (one international and one provincial), international level players and forwards were more powerful (than backs) in both absolute and relative measures (28). Players reported as possessing greater peak power in countermovement jumps were more effective in both attacking and defensive rucks during game play (27). Further research is required in characterizing power output variables and the time course, direction and magnitude of changes that may occur over a full season of rugby sevens.…”

Algorithm of athletes’ fitness structure individual features’ determination with the help of multidimensional analysis (on example of basketball)

“…In athletes' training great importance is assigned to the following: optimization of physical load [18,19] and conscious fulfillment of physical exercises [27,29,35]; consideration of didactic laws of training process's construction [3]; choosing of adequate tests for athletes' fitness [16,20]; consideration of models of coach's (pedagogue's) interconnection with athletes [15,28]; substantiation of individual training models' construction [12,13] and criteria of successfulness in competition activity [14,31]; influence of physical qualities on athletes' workability [30,33].…”