Category: Injury Prevention
Training Design Notes 1
Finding the optimal quantity and quality of practice to maximize learning for an individual or group can be difficult. Furthermore, practicing skills is typically done under time constraints. The Challenge Point Framework (CPF) can help design practice for optimal skill learning and performance.
The CPF describes how the task difficulty (dependent on the skill level of the athlete) and the potential available information to the athlete (i.e., too much or too little information) interacts to represent the “challenge” of the practice environment. The interaction between the task difficulty and potential available information can be used to set the“optimal challenge point” (OCP) for the athlete. Optimally challenging practice may enhance skill learning and transfer (from practice to the performance environment).
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Rugby Science Update 26
The purpose of this study was to describe tackle and ruck frequencies across an entire World Sevens Series and specifically compare competition stages (pool vs. knockout stages) and match periods(1st half vs. 2nd half). A secondary aim was to identify tackle determinants associated with tackle performance.
Rugby Sevens is an Olympic sport that has grown rapidly worldwide, both in terms of participation and commercialisation. Understanding the tackle and ruck demands within and between the competition stages may help coaches better prepare for the technical and tactical demands of each stage—both in training and during the transition period between the pool and knockout stages. In addition, understanding which determinants increase the likelihood of tackle and ruck success is needed to develop effective training programmes
Video analysis of all matches during the 2018/2019 International Men’s Rugby Sevens World Series was conducted (n = 449 matches). This equated to 21226 tackle contact events and 6345 rucks events. Each tackle event was further coded for tackle descriptors (type of tackle, direction of contact and point of body contact) and tackle outcomes (successful and unsuccessful).
The study tackle frequencies per match remained consistent across the series and between the different competition stages and match halves. Ruck frequencies on the other hand decreased from the first tournament to latter parts of the series, and fewer rucks were observed in the knockout stage of the tournaments.
Based on these findings, contesting fewer rucks after a tackle may be a tactical consideration from a defensive perspective. With that said, which rucks to contest or not may also play a role, therefore coaches should emphasise better post-tackle decision-making.
In both the pool and knockout stages, the most frequently occurring type of tackle was the arm tackle. In the pool stages, the arm and jersey tackle were also associated with a higher likelihood of tackle success compared to other tackle types. The frequency and higher likelihood of tackle success for arm tackles in Sevens highlights a unique demand of Sevens, which strengthens the argument for Sevens specific tackle training and coaching.
The consistency in tackle characteristics between competition stages and between match halves provides further insights into the unique tackle demands of Sevens, with players requiring robustness to repeatedly perform a range of tackles.
The findings of this study highlight the unique technical-tactical tackle and ruck demands of Sevens, which strengthens the argument for Sevens specific tackle and ruck training and coaching.
This study is published in the European Journal of Sport Science and is Open Access.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of contextual factors on the match-play movement demands of both international and domestic women’s rugby sevens players. Quantifying these demands in an elite dual-level tournament across multiple teams, positions, match types, and over two seasons, will help bridge the gap between international and domestic players and better inform talent identification, training prescription, load monitoring, and match preparation processes.
The study used an observational, longitudinal study design to characterise match-play movement demands in international (n = 23) and domestic (n = 42) players across two seasons and nine series of an elite domestic women’s dual-level rugby sevens tournament. In total, across the 65 players, 1461 matches were analysed. Match-play movement demands were assessed through distance, speed, and acceleration metrics. Contextual factors were grouped into four themes: Player, Match, Tournament, and Environment.
Brosnan and colleagues identified that higher intensity match-play movement demands were associated with day 1 of the tournament, the first half, winning and/or drawing the match, closer score lines, playing a top-5 ranked team, playing against opponents closer in the standings, starting the match, playing as a back or speed edge, being an international player, playing in warmer climates, and playing later in the day.
This study highlights how contextual factors can affect match-play movement demands in women’s rugby sevens. Coaches and performance staff can use these results to tailor training, optimise tactical decisions, and manage player workloads. For example, coaches and performance staff can prepare for faster games played in warmer weather conditions, played later in the day, during first halves, on day 1 of tournaments, played with or against more international level players, for backs and speed edge positions, when starting a game, when playing in a top 5 team, when playing against teams close in the standings, and when playing in a game with a close result. Coaches and performance staff members can also use this information in assisting the monitoring of player loads, individual recovery, and developing more holistic return to play protocols.
This study is published in PLOS One and is Open Access.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different priming activities involving an exercise commonly used in professional training settings (the jump squat), performed at two distinct loading conditions (40% vs. 80% 1RM) on a series of speed-and power-related capabilities of Olympic female rugby sevens players, assessed at 6 and 24 hours after completing the priming sessions.
“Priming” are training strategies prescribed by practitioners to top-level athletes prior to competition with the intention of enhancing performance.
In a randomised cross-over set one-week apart, twenty Olympic female rugby sevens players performed a jump squat at either 40% or 80% of half-squat 1RM as the priming exercise. Speed-power performance measurements including counter movement jump, sprint speed at 10- and 40-m, 505 change of direction (COD) speed test, and peak velocity (PV) during the jump squat were measurement before the priming, 6 hours after, and 24 hours after.
The study found that heavier loads do not present any advantage over lighter loads for speed- and power-related qualities after 6-h and 24-h. When applied correctly, for example, using light-loads and low sets of ballistics lifts such as jump squats), priming may improve vertical jumping and power-related qualities, as well as improve linear sprinting and change of direction speed.
This study is published in Biology of Sport and is Open Access.
Rugby Science Update 24
By Lara Paul
The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of coaches and players regarding coaching effectiveness in South African women’s rugby. Semi structured individual interviews were completed with 28 women’s rugby players and eight coaches who were actively involved in playing and coaching in South Africa. Five themes were generated based on the Coaching Efficacy Dimensions of the conceptual model of coaching efficacy: Motivation, Technique, Game Strategy and Character-building. In the Motivation Efficacy theme, two sub-themes emerged: the motivational climate created by the coach and the motivational climate experienced by the players. Coaches’ behaviour plays a crucial role in fostering team responsibly, providing individual support for players’ needs, and demonstrating patience and passion for the sport. All these elements contribute to a motivational environment that enhances team satisfaction and performance. In the Technique efficacy theme, the sub-theme focused on coaching the physical, technical and tactical aspects of rugby. Coaches’ ability to teach and evaluate technical skills is essential. Players come from a diverse skill background, and different coaching strategies are employed to help players reach an adequate skill level. Junior players also noted that the steep learning curve they face when they first arrive. Under the Game Strategy efficacy theme, the sub-theme centred on guiding the players to successful outcomes. Coaches in this study emphasized the importance of confidence, coaching the fundamental skills for newer players, and managing players’ behaviour to ensure team success. One coach also highlighted the significance of patience when working with women’s players to maintain engagement and understanding. The final theme, Character-building efficacy, included the sub-theme of cultivating a positive environment for holistic development and sportswomenship. Some coaches allow senior players to serve as role models, leading by example and celebrating small victories. Integrating these findings into coaching development frameworks can help ensure supportive and effective environment for women’s rugby players in South Africa.
This study is published in the International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching.
The aim of this study was two-fold: 1) to determine the associations between changes in resistance training volume load and session RPE in female junior rugby league athletes throughout a competitive season, and 2) to identify which types of resistance training demonstrated the greatest associations with reported session RPE. Twenty-one (n =21) junior developmental female rugby league athletes performed two to three resistance training sessions each week for a 20‐week period (8 weeks preseason, 11 weeks in-season and one week off). The resistance training sessions incorporated a combination intended outcomes, such as enhanced power, maximal strength or hypertrophy development. Players provided a verbal rating of perceived exertion using the Borg CR‐10 scale within 20 minutes after the session in isolation. To quantify the external load of the resistance training sessions, the volume load method was utilised (volume load = sets x reps x weight lifted [kg]). The study found significant inverse relationships between a decrease in the session RPE, with increases in both absolute and relative overall volume load. Specifically, dynamic efforts and lower body plyometric efforts displayed significant inverse relationships with session RPE. Additionally, significant positive relationships were observed between an increase in session RPE and increases in the volume load for lower‐body and upper‐body repeated efforts, as well as for upper‐body plyometric efforts and maximal efforts. These findings highlight the usefulness and importance of the volume load method for monitoring and prescribing resistance training in female rugby league athletes, as looking at overall volume load in isolation can provide an inaccurate representation of the training session. Furthermore, it provides useful data for the planning of specific exercises within the in‐season training week.
This study is published in the European Journal of Sport Science – Open Access.
Physical collisions during elite rugby league match play and training: A stakeholder’s perspective
The aim of this study was to gain insights from current key European Super League stakeholders about their experiences and understanding of collision. Nineteen (n = 19) stakeholders participated in one-on-one semi structured interviews. Five themes were derived from the interviews: simultaneous contact in the three-person tackle; tackle height – calibration is critical; the fundamental factors influencing tackle-related risks; the graded exposure and philosophical approaches to contact training and games and replacing toughness with resilience – the impact of game identity. Some stakeholders believed that the simultaneous tackle was the safest and most efficient way to win a tackle. There were contrasting viewpoints regarding tackle height. While some stakeholders felt it should be addressed, others thought that reducing tackle height still presented a significant risk to health and safety. In discussing the role of fatigue in tackle related risks, some stakeholders believed the speed of the match speed and amount of ball-in-play increased the risk of injury due to fatigue. Stakeholders also identified the out-the-back pass as one of the most challenging positions for an attacker, and some believed that certain attacking techniques, potentially overlooked, could help reduce concussions. Lastly, coaches noted that the greater the closing distance, the higher the injury risk. However, they believed that coaches could guide the types and intensities of tackles players make in both training and match play. A few coaches emphasized that additional tackle training sessions could improve timing and coordination when performing tackles and this should not be avoided. The importance of mental preparation for collisions, driven through physical exposure emerged in the final theme. Furthermore, graded exposure to enhance mental preparation for collisions was encouraged. Coaches in this study noted the correlation of mental toughness with successful sports performance, as well as the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms amongst players. These findings may inform coaching and safety programmes in rugby league and could might aid in the development of injury prevention strategies.
This study is published in International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching.
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