Rugby Science Update 21
By Lara Paul
The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the novel Irish Rugby Football Union Coach Education Framework (CEF) on coach–athlete interactions and perceptions. Specifically, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of coaches’ behaviours during training sessions, the structure of these training sessions within the allocated time the coaches are provided, and the perceptions of both coaches and athletes regarding their relationship and the coaches’ behaviours. Four coaches and 54 players from rugby union youth teams in Ireland participated in this study. Data were collected three times across an 18 month time period: before the CEF intervention; immediately after intervention and at the end of the season post-intervention. Three separate training session observations were recorded for each participating coach with a lapel microphone and a camcorder. The Coach Analysis and Intervention System (CAIS) tool was used to analyse each coach’s behaviour and training session time. Additionally, coaches filled out the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) and the players completed the Coaching Behaviour Scale for Sport (CBS-S) Questionnaire. For the intervention, the CEF content was delivered using a facilitated workshop approach focusing on the interpersonal nature of the coaching process. There were significant changes in the coaches’ behaviours after the CEF intervention, including increases in management type behaviour profiles, negative feedback and silence behaviours. Interestingly, there was an increase in negative feedback as opposed to positive feedback, which is not the type of feedback encouraged. Coaches made efforts to increase the volume of their feedback by correcting players’ behaviours but did not use positive feedback that players value. It was also found that coaches did not significantly change their use of time for the training session content. There was mutual satisfaction between the players and their coaches. Coach education needs consistent application over a long time to be successful, but this study shows that the implementation of CEF has encouraging results.
This study is published in the International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching.
The study aims to: 1) assess alternative GPS speed threshold in comparison to a set of male-derived thresholds, 2) identify the effect of these thresholds on high intensity movement distances, and 3) make appropriate recommendations on how to use GPS speed thresholds in women’s rugby union. Fifty-eight Women’s Premier rugby union players took part in this study. Forty-seven of these players performed two 20 meter maximal sprints using the Rugby Football Union testing guidelines for Premier XVs teams to determine maximal velocity. All match GPS data was captured using Catapult Minimax S4 devices. To identify the effect of female‐specific speed thresholds on the match characteristics of players, three sets of thresholds were applied to each data file: one using male-derived criteria and then two alternative thresholds for comparison. When calculating the total high-intensity movement distances in women’s rugby union using the male derived threshold, it equates to 2.1% of the total distance completed in games. Forty-one percent of the players were able to achieve speeds higher than the male derived sprint threshold (21 km.h-1). Significant small to moderate increases were found in total sprint distances when the speed thresholds were adjusted. In total high intensity running distances, significant moderate to large increases were found when the speed thresholds were adjusted. The authors recommend reducing speed thresholds for female rugby union players to the suggested thresholds in this paper (for example: >14 km.h−1 for high‐intensity running and ≥17 km.h−1 for sprinting). This will allow for the production of data that accurately represents the demands experienced in the women’s game, enabling appropriate player preparation.
This study is published in European Journal of Sport Science – Open.
Real‑World Fatigue Testing in Professional Rugby Union: A Systematic Review and Meta‑analysis
The aims of this study were threefold; 1) to perform a systematic review of the literature on the measures used to assess fatigue of professional rugby union players, 2) to complete a meta-analysis of the changes in the neuromuscular, biochemical, self-reported, and heart rate-derived measures associated with monitoring fatigue in professional rugby players, and 3) to provide recommendations based on the literature for monitoring rugby union player fatigue after match play and training in a practical setting. The search was conducted on six electronic databases up to July 2023 (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE). Studies were included if they investigated male rugby union players and focused the influence of match play and/or training on these players, using neuromuscular, biochemical, subjective self-report, and heart rate-derived measures to assess fatigue. A total of 37 full-text articles were included in this review, and 17 full-text articles were included in the meta-analysis. The review was split into four sections: (1) neuromuscular; (2) subjective self-reports; (3) biochemical; and (4) heart rate derived measures. The use of subjective soreness measures to assess fatigue was found to be the most applicable measure in this review. The effectiveness of using countermovement jump height, biochemical markers, and heart rate-derived measures to assess fatigue remains unclear. Although countermovement jump height shows high individual variability, the authors support its use as a fatigue assessment tool in professional rugby union settings, provided it is interpreted on an individual basis.
This study is published in Sports Medicine.
Rugby Science 