A Comparison of PlayerLoadTM and Heart Rate during Backwards and Forwards Locomotion during Intermittent Exercise in Rugby League Players

Matthew R Barnes,Aaron T Scanlan,Joshua H Guy,Nathan Elsworthy

doi:10.3390/sports9020021

Abstract

Limited research has examined the demands of backward locomotion at various speeds using common load monitoring metrics in team sport athletes. Consequently, this study compared the external and internal loads between backward and forward locomotion during intermittent exercise in team sport athletes. Semi-professional, male rugby league players (n = 29) completed the same exercise protocol on two occasions in backward and forward directions. On each occasion, participants performed separate 20 m trials at self-selected walking, jogging, running, and sprinting speeds and then completed a 15 min modified Loughborough intermittent shuttle test (mLIST). Common external and internal load metrics were gathered across testing. Faster speeds (p < 0.001) were attained at all speeds during forward locomotion in the 20 m trials. Non-significant differences in accumulated PlayerLoadTM were found between directions across the mLIST; however, higher relative (per min) PlayerLoadTM (p < 0.001) was apparent during backward locomotion when walking and during forward locomotion when sprinting during the mLIST. RPE and mean heart rate were higher (p < 0.001) during backward locomotion across the mLIST. These data highlight the unique loading patterns experienced during backward locomotion and suggest practitioners should consider the discernment in loading imposed between backward and forward locomotion when measuring athlete demands using common metrics.

Highlights

Published: 25 January 2021Many team sports require effective multi-directional, unorthodox movements during training and match-play [1,2,3,4]
In addition to supporting the limited available evidence already provided in active participants showing superior speeds are attained during forward locomotion compared to backward locomotion across various speeds [9,26], this study provides the first insight into how variations in movement speeds between backward and forward directions translate to a common metric used to monitor external load in team sport athletes, PlayerLoadTM
The overall external loading imposed on rugby league athletes during backward locomotion during intermittent exercise was not significantly different from those imposed during forward locomotion

Summary

Introduction

Many team sports require effective multi-directional, unorthodox movements during training and match-play [1,2,3,4]. Backward locomotion is often performed in situations where an athlete is required to change direction while maintaining visual focus on the opposition player and/or ball ahead. Players in rugby codes often move in a backward direction when on defense while facing attacking players. This scenario is evident following a tackle with the defensive player performing backward locomotion for 3.6–5.4 m after each tackle, and this is often performed with high effort [3]. It is suggested that elite soccer players performing significantly more backward running compared to lower-level players during matches [6]; there is no data specific to rugby league to support this

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