Abstract
BackgroundRugby union players can take several days to fully recover from competition. Muscle damage induced during the match has a major role in player recovery; however the specific characteristics of match play that predict post-match muscle damage remains unclear. We examined the relationships between a marker of muscle damage and performance characteristics associated with physical contacts and high-speed movement in professional rugby union players.MethodsTwenty-eight professional rugby union players (15 forwards, 13 backs) participated in this study. Data were obtained from 4 European Cup games, with blood samples collected 2 h pre, and 16 and 40 h post-match, and were subsequently analysed for creatine kinase (CK). Relationships between changes in CK concentrations and number of physical contacts and high-speed running markers, derived from performance analysis and global positioning system (GPS) data, were assessed.ResultsModerate and moderate-large effect-size correlations were identified between contact statistics from performance analysis and changes in CK at 16 and 40 h post-match in forwards and backs, respectively (e.g. backs; total impacts vs. ΔCK (r = 0.638, p < 0.01) and Δ% CK (r = 0.454, p < 0.05) 40 h post-match). Furthermore, moderate effect-size correlations were found between measures of high-speed running and sprinting, and changes in CK at 16 and 40 h post-match within the backs (e.g. high-speed running distance vs. ΔCK (r = 0.434, p = 0.056) and Δ% CK (r = 0.437, p = 0.054) 40 hrs post-match).ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that muscle damage induced by professional rugby union match play is to some extent predicted by the number of physical contacts induced during performance. Furthermore, we show for the first time that muscle damage in backs players is predicted by high-speed running measures derived from GPS. These data increase the understanding of the causes of muscle damage in rugby union; performance markers could potentially be used to tailor individual recovery strategies and subsequent training following rugby union competition.
Highlights
Rugby union players can take several days to fully recover from competition
Baseline plasma creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were similar between backs and forwards (274 ± 155 and 368 ± 127 IU.L-1; p < 0.01), CK concentrations were significantly increased at all post-match time points (p < 0.05), with changes in CK greater in backs, when compared to forwards at 16 h but Performance analysis Game time
This study is the first to assess the relationship between the biochemical responses to high-speed running and physical contacts using global positioning system (GPS) technologies and performance analysis methods
Summary
Rugby union players can take several days to fully recover from competition. We examined the relationships between a marker of muscle damage and performance characteristics associated with physical contacts and high-speed movement in professional rugby union players. The high-intensity bout characteristics are largely positional dependent [1]; all players are exposed to a high magnitude of physical contacts and collisions [3,4], and high intensity stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) movements. Research has demonstrated large elevations in blood markers of muscle damage (e.g. creatine kinase) [3,5,6], and disruptions to neuromuscular [7], hormonal [3,7,8], immune functions [3] and mood [7] for several days following competition. Players may take several days to fully recover following competition [7]. Insufficient recovery has significant implications for player preparation and performance
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