Citation

Beaven RP, Highton JM, Thorpe MC, Knott EV, Twist C. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2014; 28(11): 3274-3279.

Affiliation

1Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Chester, England, United Kingdom; 2Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom; 3England Touch Association, England; and 4Department of Health Sciences, Huddersfield University, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000000535

PMID

24832976

Abstract

Beaven, RP, Highton, JM, Thorpe, M-C, Knott, EV, and Twist, C. Movement and physiological demands of international and regional men's touch rugby matches. J Strength Cond Res 28(11): 3279-3284, 2014-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) due to shorter playing times per match (p ≤ 0.05). Absolute high-speed running (>14 km·h) was not different between groups (p > 0.05), but relative high-speed running (39.3 ± 12.0 cf. 26.0 ± 13.6 m·min) was higher for international players. Regional players performed more absolute low-speed activity (≤14 km·h) 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) 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.

Language: en