Training and testing practices of strength and conditioning coaches in Argentinian Rugby Union

Abstract

The Argentine Rugby Union is a top-tier rugby nation (ranked 8th according to World Rugby), with the Buenos Aires Rugby Union being the largest competitive league. To date, the training practices of Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches have not yet been documented and analyzed. We used an online survey to characterize the training and testing strategies commonly implemented by Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches, which could serve as a guideline for coaching education programs. Thirty-five rugby strength and conditioning coaches (age: 42.0 ± 8.9 years; professional experience: 16.8 ± 8.3 years) working across 35 clubs (from a total of 40 clubs) participated in the study. The survey consisted of eight sections: 1) background information; 2) strength-power development; 3) speed training; 4) plyometrics; 5) flexibility training; 6) physical testing; 7) technology use; and 8) programming. Overall, Argentinian strength and conditioning coaches did not frequently use periodization strategies to structure programs, reported a progressive reduction in training loads across the season, and prescribed primarily Olympic weightlifting and squat as resistance exercises during different training periods. The analyses of speed training revealed high utilization of form-running, plyometrics, and sport-specific movements. Our results also indicated that physical testing and technology may be affected by the economic difficulties of Argentinian clubs. This study presents new information regarding the training methods adopted by Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches, while providing them with new insights to improve their professional practices. Practitioners from different countries working in competitive rugby leagues can use the information provided here to examine their own practices and implement evidence-based programs for elite rugby players.

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches across Chinese high-performance sports

“…Ninety percent of SCCs prescribed speed training using 14 different training methods, which is more than in previous studies. 5,9–18,20,21 The most used method in this study was maximum speed sprinting (60%), and there was no training method with a relatively high usage rate. Previous studies have found some high-usage training methods prescribed in specific sports, such as speed endurance in football (81%), 12 plyometrics in hockey (83%), 15 and wrestling (92%), 16 form running in baseball (100%), 14 maximum speed sprint and resistance running in cricket (100%), 20 and basketball (100%).…”

“…Ninety-one percent of SCCs reported programming plyometric exercises, with the most prescribed exercises being box drills (e.g., box jump up; 91%) and the most reported purpose being to develop lower body power (78%), higher than results from previous surveys. 5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]21 This is a misunderstanding on behalf of many SCCs, because box drills usually reduce the ECC load by using low-medium height boxes, which may be desirable for some stages of training (e.g., during rehabilitation), but not for the long-term development of high-performance athletes due to its relative moderate training intensity produces less training stimulation compared to training using high height boxes. The prescription rate of upper body ballistic training was 65%, while only 47% of SCCs prescribe plyometrics to develop upper body power.…”

“…18,20 The competition period was the least time (6%) dedicated to testing, most likely because of fixed schedules and the head coach not wanting unnecessary sessions, which may interrupt an athlete's sports preparation. 43 The most tested variable was muscle strength (91%), similar to hockey (100%), 15 wrestling (97%), 16 rugby union (81%, 97%), 17,18 basketball (75%), 13 multi-sports (87%, 90%), 5,11 cricket (82%, 100%), 9,20 and soccer (81%, 71%). 10,21 This reflects the belief of SCCs that muscle strength is essential for athlete performance and is also consistent with the research evidence.…”

“…14,15 Similarly, SCCs in rugby commonly assessed body composition (93%) at the elite level 17 but not in high school (0%). 8 Furthermore, research suggests countries can also influence the implementation of strength and conditioning, such as the culture/history, 26 funding, 18,21 scientific level, and coach education. 7…”

“…5–11 Whereas, other studies have focused on specific sports, such as football, 12 basketball, 13 baseball, 14 hockey, 15 wrestling, 16 rugby, 8,17,18 swimming, 19 cricket, 7,9,20 and soccer, 10,21 level of athlete, such as high school, 5,8 professional sports teams, 9,10,12–15,18,20 elite sports teams, 16,17,19,21 and countries, such as the United States of America, 12–15,22,23 Iran, 16 South Africa, 7,8 Brazil, 21 and Argentina. 18 However, only a few studies have investigated the practices and perspectives of strength and conditioning in East Asian countries, but exclusively focused on sports coaches and athletes, with SCCs yet to be investigated. 24,25 Previous research demonstrated that differences and commonalities exist in the practices of SCCs working in different sports and levels.…”