Movement and physiological demands of international and regional men's touch Rugby matches.

RP, Beaven; JM, Highton; MC, Thorpe; EV, Knott; C, Twist

Abstract

This study compared the internal and external match demands imposed on international and regional standard male touch rugby players. The study adopted a cohort design with independent groups. Twelve international players (mean age, 27.8 ± 6.2 years; body mass, 72.8 ± 3.7 kg; stature, 174.5 ± 5.4 cm) and 9 regional players (mean age, 25.5 ± 5.5 years; body mass 74.2 ± 7 kg; stature 174.1 ± 7 cm) were analyzed during 9 competitive matches from the 2013 season. Movement demands were measured using a 5-Hz global positioning system, alongside heart rate (HR) and session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) to quantify internal load. Total distance covered by international players was lower than regional players (2265.8 ± 562.3 cf. 2970 ± 558.9 m; p ≤ 0.05). However, international players had greater relative distance (137.1 ± 13.6 cf. 126.2 ± 17.2 m·min−1) due to shorter playing times per match (p ≤ 0.05). Absolute high-speed running (>14 km·h−1) was not different between groups (p > 0.05), but relative high-speed running (39.3 ± 12.0 cf. 26.0 ± 13.6 m·min−1) was higher for international players. Regional players performed more absolute low-speed activity (≤14 km·h−1) than international players (p ≤ 0.05), whereas relative low-speed activity was not different between groups (p > 0.05). Very high-speed running (>20 km·h−1) distance, bout number and frequency, peak, and average speed were all greater in international players (p ≤ 0.05). Higher average HR, summated HR, and s-RPE (p ≤ 0.05) indicated higher internal loads during matches for regional players. These data indicate that performance in men's touch rugby is characterized by more relative high-speed running and better repeated sprint capacities in higher standard players.

Citation

RP, B., JM, H., MC, T., EV, K., & C, T. (2014). Movement and physiological demands of international and regional men's touch Rugby matches. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(11), https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000535

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Print ISSN: 1064-8011
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 11
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000535
• PMID: 24832976