Abstract
A number of studies have used GPS technology to categorise rugby union locomotive demands. However, the utility of the results of these studies is confounded by small sample sizes, sub-elite player status and the global application of absolute speed thresholds to all player positions. Furthermore, many of these studies have used GPS units with low sampling frequencies. The aim of the present study was to compare and contrast the high speed running (HSR) demands of professional rugby union when utilizing micro-technology units sampling at 10 Hz and applying relative or individualised speed zones. The results of this study indicate that application of individualised speed zones results in a significant shift in the interpretation of the HSR demands of both forwards and backs and positional sub-categories therein. When considering the use of an absolute in comparison to an individualised HSR threshold, there was a significant underestimation for forwards of HSR distance (HSRD) (absolute = 269 ± 172.02, individualised = 354.72 ± 99.22, p < 0.001), HSR% (absolute = 5.15 ± 3.18, individualised = 7.06 ± 2.48, p < 0.001) and HSR efforts (HSRE) (absolute = 18.81 ± 12.25; individualised = 24.78 ± 8.30, p < 0.001). In contrast, there was a significant overestimation of the same HSR metrics for backs with the use of an absolute threshold (HSRD absolute = 697.79 ± 198.11, individualised = 570.02 ± 171.14, p < 0.001; HSR% absolute = 10.85 ± 2.82, individualised = 8.95 ± 2.76, p < 0.001; HSRE absolute = 41.55 ± 11.25; individualised = 34.54 ± 9.24, p < 0.001). This under- or overestimation associated with an absolute speed zone applies to varying degrees across the ten positional sub-categories analyzed and also to individuals within the same positional sub-category. The results of the present study indicated that although use of an individulised HSR threshold improves the interpretation of the HSR demands on a positional basis, inter-individual variability in maximum velocity within positional sub-categories means that players need to be considered on an individual basis to accurately gauge the HSR demands of rugby union.
Highlights
Rugby union game play is characterized by high intensity intermittent activity, whereby periods of high intensity static and locomotive activity are interspersed with periods of lower intensity aerobic activity and rest [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Concerning the forward position unit there was a statistically significant difference between ABS and IND high speed running (HSR) demands on the combined dependent variables, F (3, 206) = 8.00, p < 0.001, Wilk’s Lambda = 0.89, partial eta squared = 0.10
Concerning the back position unit there was a statistically significant difference between ABS and IND HSR demands on the combined dependent variables, F (3, 168) = 8.19, p < 0.01, Wilk’s Lambda = 0.87, partial eta squared = 0.12
Summary
Rugby union game play is characterized by high intensity intermittent activity, whereby periods of high intensity static and locomotive activity are interspersed with periods of lower intensity aerobic activity and rest [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Roberts et al [8] reported that forwards spend three to four-fold the amount of time in intense static activities (e.g. scrums, rucks and mauls) in comparison to backs; which is directly attributable to the specific role played by forwards in the set-piece and breakdown elements of the game. In the published literature it has been reported that backs cover significantly more total distance at high speed than forwards due to the specific demands of their role in game play, combined with their greater opportunity for open-field running [3,4,5,6,10]. More recently Cahill et al [9] observed that forwards cover slightly more total distance at high speed in comparison to backs
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