Abstract
This study investigated the influence of repeated high-intensity effort exercise on tackling ability in rugby league players, and determined the relationship between physical qualities and tackling ability under fatigued conditions in these athletes. Eleven semi-professional rugby league players underwent measurements of speed (10 m and 40 m sprint), upper-body strength (4 repetition maximum [RM] bench press and weighted chin-up), upper-body muscular endurance (body mass maximum repetition chin-up, body mass maximum repetition dips), lower-body strength (4RM squat), and estimated maximal aerobic power (multi-stage fitness test). Tackling ability was assessed using a standardized one-on-one tackling test, before, during, and following four bouts of repeated high-intensity effort (RHIE) exercise. The relationship between physical qualities and fatigue-induced decrements in tackling ability were determined using Pearson product moment correlation coefficients. Each cycle of the RHIE protocol induced progressive reductions in tackling ability. A moderate reduction (Effect Size = ~-1.17 ± 0.60, -34.1 ± 24.3%) in tackling ability occurred after the fourth cycle of the RHIE protocol. Players with greater relative lower-body strength (i.e. 4RM squat/kg) had the best tackling ability under fatigued conditions (r = 0.72, p = 0.013). There were no significant relationships between tackling ability under fatigued conditions and any other physical quality. These findings suggest that lower-body strength protects against fatigue-induced decrements in tackling ability. The development of lower-body strength should be a priority to facilitate the development of robust tackling skills that are maintained under fatigue.
Highlights
Success in collision sports is dependent, at least in part, on tackling ability, the ability to tolerate physical collisions, and the ability to ‘win’ the tackle contest [1,2,3,4]
While this study provided important information about the effect of fatigue on tackling ability, and the physical qualities that are important to maintaining tackling ability under fatigued conditions, some limitations warrant discussion
While this study provided important information on the correlates of repeated high-intensity effort (RHIE) ability in rugby league players, such a test provides an ideal platform to investigate the influence of fatigue, induced by RHIE activity, on technical skill performance
Summary
Success in collision sports (such as rugby union, rugby league, and American football) is dependent, at least in part, on tackling ability, the ability to tolerate physical collisions, and the ability to ‘win’ the tackle contest [1,2,3,4]. Rugby union, and rugby league, the majority of investigations on tackling ability in collision sports has been performed on rugby league players. Higher-skilled tacklers made a greater proportion of dominant tackles and missed a smaller proportion of tackles than lesser-skilled tacklers [2]. These findings demonstrate the practical utility of a standardized tackle assessment to identify talent, while providing information predictive of tackling performance in competition
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.