Junior Rugby Players Research Articles

Differences Between Conditioning Support And Competitive Goal Level: Internet-Based Survey Of Japanese Junior Rugby Players

Differences Between Conditioning Support And Competitive Goal Level: Internet-Based Survey Of Japanese Junior Rugby Players

Evidence for the Psychometric Properties of Component Test Items in the Eurofit Test Battery administered to Elite Schoolboy Rugby Union Players: A Test-retest Reliability Study

Rugby is a popular sport and requires participants to have commensurate physical attributes for effective participation. One physical fitness test battery which enjoys extensive use contextually is the European Test of Physical Fitness (Eurofit). However, the psychometric properties of the test battery have not been explored and documented in the local context. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the test-retest reliability of the Eurofit test battery items among elite schoolboy rugby players in Harare, Zimbabwe. Thirty-two (32) players with the mean age of 17.2 (SD=1.03) years completed all the tests during the in- season period. Anthropometric and Eurofit test measurements were obtained twice with seven days separating the assessments. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) estimated the reliability test items. The global ICCs for the Eurofit test items ranged from 0.59 to 0.98. The Sit-and-Reach test yielded the highest temporal reliability (ICC=0.98). The Plate Tapping test, Flamingo Balance test and 10×5m Shuttle Run test showed ICCs < 0.7. Cognisant of the study limitations, some component test items of Eurofit test battery can be recommended for reliably evaluating aspects of physical fitness in junior rugby players in Zimbabwe whilst others still need consideration and test modification.

Longitudinal Development of Physical Characteristics and Function in Japanese Junior Rugby Union Players.

To longitudinally investigate the development of physical characteristics and function during 3years of high school among Japanese junior rugby players and examine the differences in these parameters between the positions. In 83 junior rugby players (forwards: n = 46, backs: n = 37) from one Japanese high school team who had participated in national high school competitions, anthropometric variables (height, body mass, fat and lean body mass, and body mass index), upper- and lower-body strength (eg,1-repetition-maximum [1RM] bench press, isokinetic knee muscle strength at 60°/s and 180°/s), and sprint and jump performance were measured. Upper- and lower-body strength relative to body mass and lean body mass were also calculated. All anthropometric indices improved with increasing age, and the values were higher in forwards than in backs (all P < .05). The 1-repetition maximum bench press (forwards: 40.8%, backs: 52.5%) and isokinetic knee strength (eg,extension at 60°/s, forwards: 15.4%, backs: 10.0%) improved with age (from 16 to 18y), and they were higher in forwards than in backs (all P < .05). Meanwhile, the 1RM bench press relative to lean body mass did not differ between the positions. Isokinetic knee muscle strength at 60°/s and 180°/s relative to lean body mass and sprint and jump performance did not improve with age. These results indicate that Japanese junior rugby players need to develop larger physiques and continuously increase their lower-body strength to improve sprint and jump performance.

Influence of boot stud shapes and pitch surfaces on rugby players’ sprinting performance

Introduction: In rugby, a player’s sprinting prowess emerges as a pivotal determinant for bridging the gap to opponents and eluding their pursuit. Hence, a proper rugby boot assumes paramount importance in enhancing sprinting capabilities. However, the tropical climate conditions in Malaysia, with high temperatures, humidity and heavy rainfall, possess the potential to rapidly degrade rugby pitch conditions, thereby exerting a pronounced impact on sprinting performance. Aims: This study aims to investigate the influence of different boot studs and pitch surfaces on the sprinting performance of junior rugby players. Methods: A cohort of 36 rugby players completed the sprinting tests with different boot stud shapes, i.e. cone, triangular and blade shapes, on normal, puddle and muddy surfaces. Fully automated timing gates were placed at the 0 m and 40 m mark along the track. Data obtained from the experiments were recorded for the statistical analysis using the repeated-measure analysis of variance. Results: The results revealed that the players’ sprinting performance declined by an average of 1.26% on the puddle pitch surface and by 16.51% on the muddy pitch surface using all types of boots. It was also discovered that the sprinting performance of players in the overweight and obese categories dropped by an average of 8.5% and 12.73% on all types of pitch surfaces, respectively. On muddy pitch surfaces, players in all positions and body mass index categories who used boots with cone and triangle studs had better sprinting performance when compared to blade studs. Conclusions: In essence, this study demonstrated the sprinting evaluation framework on various pitch conditions. Furthermore, it imparts invaluable technical insights to rugby players and coaches in selecting appropriate boots, particularly within Malaysia’s distinctive climatic and pitch conditions.

Night-to-night sleep variability in adolescent rugby players compared to non-athlete matched controls

Despite the importance of sleep monitoring in the context of sport, few studies to date examined night-to-night sleep variability among adolescent athletes. This study compared night-to-night sleep variation between junior rugby players and age-matched non-athlete adolescents across seven consecutive nights of the in-season competitive phase. This investigation is based on data from a single centre, observational prospective study including 30 adolescents (15 junior rugby players and 15 non-athlete age-matched controls). Sleep was continuously monitored using ambulatory electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. While the non-athlete controls catch-up on their sleep debt during the weekend by delaying their wake-up time, junior rugby players opt for an earlier bedtime to cope with sport-related travel (Fri: −00:57 h:min; p &lt; 0.001; Sat: −01:58 h:min; p &lt; 0.001) or early school (Mon: −00:55 h:min; p &lt; 0.001). Night-to-night sleep examination identified greater sleep disturbances in junior rugby players the nights before and after the competition SE (Fri: −11%; p &lt; 0.001; Sat: −9 min; p &lt; 0.01). Junior rugby players showed higher IIV in sleep duration (CVTST: + 5.8%; P &lt; 0.001), efficiency (CVSE: + 3.8%; p &lt; 0.001) and staging (CVN2: + 5.4%; p &lt; 0.001; CVN3: + 4.5; p &lt; 0.01 IIV; REM: + 16.4%; p &lt; 0.01). Higher IIV in the young athletes’ sleep outcomes could make them even more vulnerable to health and wellness concerns (i.e. overtraining, injury). The study results show the urgent need for an appropriate consideration of sleep regularity in young athletes.

Anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy players of different age categories and playing standards

BackgroundRugby is increasingly gaining popularity among school-aged male junior players in countries hardly known for dominating international rugby, such as Zimbabwe. Given rugby combativeness, participating adolescents should possess qualities or skills commensurate with the physical demands of the sport for effective participation. This study investigated the independent and interactive effects of age category and playing standard on anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills among Zimbabwean athletes.MethodsTwo hundred and eight elite, sub-elite and non-rugby players competing at Under 16 and Under 19 age categories were assessed using the School Clinical Rugby Measure (SCRuM) test battery. Participants underwent height, sitting height, mass, skinfolds, speed, agility, upper-and-lower muscular strength and power, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, tackling, passing and catching assessments in a cross-sectional experimental design.ResultsAge categories had significant main effect on all SCRuM test items except sum of seven skinfolds (p = 0.45, η2p = 0.003). Playing standard had significant main effects for all variables except height (p = 0.40, η2p = 0.01) and sum of seven skinfolds (p = 0.11, η2p = 0.02). Specifically, upper-and-lower muscular strength and power, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, tackling, passing and catching improved with increasing playing standards. However, two-way analysis of variance only demonstrated significant interactions between the effects of age category and playing standards for vertical jump height (VJ) test, 2-kg medicine ball chest throw (2-kg MBCT) test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT L1), and tackling and catching tests. Yo-Yo IRT L1, VJ, tackling and catching tests demonstrated greater discriminative ability among Under 16 s, whereas the 2-kg MBCT test showed better ability in Under 19 s.ConclusionAll SCRuM variables except skinfolds improved with age, highlighting relative sensitivity in differentiating older from younger athletes. However, the discriminative ability by playing standards for VJ, 2-kg MBCT, Yo-Yo IRT L1, tackling and catching ability tests was age-dependent. These findings informs on general attribute development in junior rugby players with age and on specific players attributes in need of monitoring for attainment of elite status at U16 or U19 level.

Acute effect of an intensified exercise program on subsequent sleep, dietary intake, and performance in junior rugby players.

The effect of exercise on sleep remains controversial in athletes especially in junior athletes. This study tested the acute effect of additional intense rugby training on sleep, next-day dietary intake, and physical performances in adolescent rugby players compared to a day with regular exercise. 17 male rugby players in the national under-17 category (age: 15.7 ± 1.1years, height: 1.78 ± 0.1m, weight: 84.4 ± 13.6kg, BMI: 26.6 ± 3.8kg/m2, fat mass: 14.5 ± 3.4%, VO2max Yo-Yo test: 52.1 ± 4.4mL/min/kg, evening chronotype) took part in this study. The athletes completed two 36-h experimental sessions in random order: a regular exercise program (REP) vs. an intensified exercise program (IEP) at a 1-week interval. Physical activity and sleep data were collected using accelerometers. Performance tests were conducted the next morning after an ad libitum breakfast. Sleep improved during intensive training (TST: + 26min, SL: - 4%, WASO: - 39%, SE: + 8.5%) with moderate effect size. There was no next-day difference in calorie intake from breakfast, but macronutrient composition shifted toward proteins (regular: 15.4 ± 6.1% vs. intensive: 18.9 ± 7.4%, ES = - 0.650 [- 1.13; - 0.18]). There were no significant differences in Wingate test performance or spatial awareness task time. However, performance in submaximal tests improved. Acute intensified training results in increased sleep duration and quality without disturbing next-day performance or dietary intake in young rugby players.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Implementation of the BokSmart Safe Six Injury Prevention Programme: a study protocol

BackgroundThe injury burden in rugby union (‘rugby’) is high. While exercise-based injury prevention programmes have successfully reduced injuries in other sports such as football, there is minimal research on this...

Trainability of junior Rugby Union players

Growing interest in producing expert performance, and increasing sport participation, has led to a number of models being proposed for optimal sporting development. Using physical or psychological developmental milestones as guidelines, these models in sport were aimed primarily at identifying key stages during childhood and adolescence, and to optimise training adaptation for the child to reach his/her full sporting potential. Taking into consideration the long-term developmental models, and the requirements to succeed in rugby, this review aims to prescribe the trainability of junior rugby players using a scientifically evidence-based long-term player development approach. As there have been several recent and comprehensive reviews of the literature on trainability during childhood and adolescence, the aim of this paper is to resynthesise the material and apply it to rugby. Although athlete developmental models suggest that the appropriate application of training stimulus during specific periods in childhood and adolescence will influence athletic potential, recent available literature contends that this concept is inconclusive and requires further investigation.

Trainability of junior Rugby Union players

Growing interest in producing expert performance, and increasing sport participation, has led to a number of models being proposed for optimal sporting development. Using physical or psychological developmental milestones as guidelines, these models in sport were aimed primarily at identifying key stages during childhood and adolescence, and to optimise training adaptation for the child to reach his/her full sporting potential. Taking into consideration the long-term developmental models, and the requirements to succeed in rugby, this review aims to prescribe the trainability of junior rugby players using a scientifically evidence-based long-term player development approach. As there have been several recent and comprehensive reviews of the literature on trainability during childhood and adolescence, the aim of this paper is to resynthesise the material and apply it to rugby. Although athlete developmental models suggest that the appropriate application of training stimulus during specific periods in childhood and adolescence will influence athletic potential, recent available literature contends that this concept is inconclusive and requires further investigation.

Trainability of junior Rugby Union players

Growing interest in producing expert performance, and increasing sport participation, has led to a number of models being proposed for optimal sporting development. Using physical or psychological developmental milestones as guidelines, these models in sport were aimed primarily at identifying key stages during childhood and adolescence, and to optimise training adaptation for the child to reach his/her full sporting potential. Taking into consideration the long-term developmental models, and the requirements to succeed in rugby, this review aims to prescribe the trainability of junior rugby players using a scientifically evidence-based long-term player development approach. As there have been several recent and comprehensive reviews of the literature on trainability during childhood and adolescence, the aim of this paper is to resynthesise the material and apply it to rugby. Although athlete developmental models suggest that the appropriate application of training stimulus during specific periods in childhood and adolescence will influence athletic potential, recent available literature contends that this concept is inconclusive and requires further investigation.

Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the body composition, strength and speed characteristics of elite junior South African rugby players. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Field study. Subjects. Rugby players (16 and 18 years old, N = 174) selected for the South African Rugby Union National Green Squad. Outcome measures. Body composition, 10 m and 40 m speed, agility, 1RM bench press, underhand pull-ups, push-ups, multistage shuttle run. Results. The under-16 players were on average shorter (175.6 ± 5.7 v. 179.2 ± 6.7 cm), weighed less (76.5 ± 8.2 v. 84.8 ± 8.3 kg) had less upper body absolute strength (77.1 ± 11.8 kg v. 95.3 ± 16.7 kg) and muscular endurance (41 ± 12 v. 52 ± 15 push-ups) and aerobic fitness (87.1 ± 19.4 v. 93.5 ± 15.3 shuttles) than the under-18 players. There were no differences in body fat, sprinting speed (10 m and 40 m) or agility between the two age groups. There were differences between playing positions, with the props having the most body fat, strongest upper bodies, slowest sprinting speed, least agility and lowest aerobic capacity compared with players in the other positions. Conclusion. This study provides data for elite junior rugby players and can be used to monitor the progression of players after intervention while also assisting with talent identification for the different playing positions. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 18 (2) 2006: pp. 38-45

Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the body composition, strength and speed characteristics of elite junior South African rugby players. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Field study. Subjects. Rugby players (16 and 18 years old, N = 174) selected for the South African Rugby Union National Green Squad. Outcome measures. Body composition, 10 m and 40 m speed, agility, 1RM bench press, underhand pull-ups, push-ups, multistage shuttle run. Results. The under-16 players were on average shorter (175.6 ± 5.7 v. 179.2 ± 6.7 cm), weighed less (76.5 ± 8.2 v. 84.8 ± 8.3 kg) had less upper body absolute strength (77.1 ± 11.8 kg v. 95.3 ± 16.7 kg) and muscular endurance (41 ± 12 v. 52 ± 15 push-ups) and aerobic fitness (87.1 ± 19.4 v. 93.5 ± 15.3 shuttles) than the under-18 players. There were no differences in body fat, sprinting speed (10 m and 40 m) or agility between the two age groups. There were differences between playing positions, with the props having the most body fat, strongest upper bodies, slowest sprinting speed, least agility and lowest aerobic capacity compared with players in the other positions. Conclusion. This study provides data for elite junior rugby players and can be used to monitor the progression of players after intervention while also assisting with talent identification for the different playing positions. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 18 (2) 2006: pp. 38-45

Isokinetic Neck Strength And Power Of South African Senior And Junior Rugby Players

Neck injuries are a pertinent problem in all rugby-playing countries and other contact sports. Weak muscles increase the risk of injury, thus strengthening of the neck is an effective, but often neglected method of injury prevention. The comparison of isokinetic strength and power variables between the positional categories (props: −p, hookers: −h, locks: −lck, and loose forwards: −lse) of senior (S-) and junior (J-) rugby players revealed strength and power differences. PURPOSE To determine whether significant differences (p<0.05) exist between senior and junior rugby players for neck strength and power. METHODS Neck strength and power of 111 senior (23 ± 3 yrs) and 208 junior (17 ± 1 yrs) rugby players were assessed isokinetically at 30°·0.sec−1 through cervical flexion, extension, and lateral flexion left and right. Comparisons between the positional categories of senior and junior players were made using multi-factorial ANOVA. RESULTS All senior positional categories (SPG), except the Sh, performed significantly better than the junior positional categories (JPG) on the measure of peak torque flexion (PTF). The Slck achieved the largest mean PTF (44 ± 9 Nm), which was significantly larger than the Jp mean PTF (31 ± 13 Nm), which was the largest among the JPG. On the measure of peak torque extension (PTE), only the Sp (67 ± 14 Nm) performed significantly better than the JPG. All SPG, except for the Sh, proved to be significantly stronger than the JPG on the measures of peak torque lateral flexion to the right (PTR) and left (PTL). The Slck achieved the largest PTR (69 ± 15 Nm) and PTL (66 ± 13 Nm) means. These performances were significantly stronger than the Jp PTR (55 ± 12 Nm) and Jlck PTL (53 ± 12 Nm) means respectively, which were the best performances among the JPG on these variables. The SPG were significantly more powerful than the JPG during flexion (PowF), however no significant difference in PowF was observed between the Sh and Slck and the Jp. During extension power (PowE) the Sp (248 ± 71 W) performed significantly better than the JPG. Limited significant differences between the SPG and JPG were observed during measurement of lateral flexion right (PowR) and left (PowL) power. No significant differences existed among the SPG, neither were any significant differences observed among the JPG for the strength and power variables. CONCLUSION It appears that senior rugby players, specifically Sp, have undergone neck strength and power adaptations to meet the specific requirements of their positions. Certain JPG are significantly weaker than the SPG and have not undergone similar positional adaptations, possibly placing them at increased risk of injury.

Isokinetic Neck Strength And Power Of South African Senior And Junior Rugby Players

Neck injuries are a pertinent problem in all rugby-playing countries and other contact sports. Weak muscles increase the risk of injury, thus strengthening of the neck is an effective, but often neglected method of injury prevention. The comparison of isokinetic strength and power variables between the positional categories (props: −p, hookers: −h, locks: −lck, and loose forwards: −lse) of senior (S-) and junior (J-) rugby players revealed strength and power differences. PURPOSE To determine whether significant differences (p<0.05) exist between senior and junior rugby players for neck strength and power. METHODS Neck strength and power of 111 senior (23 ± 3 yrs) and 208 junior (17 ± 1 yrs) rugby players were assessed isokinetically at 30°·0.sec−1 through cervical flexion, extension, and lateral flexion left and right. Comparisons between the positional categories of senior and junior players were made using multi-factorial ANOVA. RESULTS All senior positional categories (SPG), except the Sh, performed significantly better than the junior positional categories (JPG) on the measure of peak torque flexion (PTF). The Slck achieved the largest mean PTF (44 ± 9 Nm), which was significantly larger than the Jp mean PTF (31 ± 13 Nm), which was the largest among the JPG. On the measure of peak torque extension (PTE), only the Sp (67 ± 14 Nm) performed significantly better than the JPG. All SPG, except for the Sh, proved to be significantly stronger than the JPG on the measures of peak torque lateral flexion to the right (PTR) and left (PTL). The Slck achieved the largest PTR (69 ± 15 Nm) and PTL (66 ± 13 Nm) means. These performances were significantly stronger than the Jp PTR (55 ± 12 Nm) and Jlck PTL (53 ± 12 Nm) means respectively, which were the best performances among the JPG on these variables. The SPG were significantly more powerful than the JPG during flexion (PowF), however no significant difference in PowF was observed between the Sh and Slck and the Jp. During extension power (PowE) the Sp (248 ± 71 W) performed significantly better than the JPG. Limited significant differences between the SPG and JPG were observed during measurement of lateral flexion right (PowR) and left (PowL) power. No significant differences existed among the SPG, neither were any significant differences observed among the JPG for the strength and power variables. CONCLUSION It appears that senior rugby players, specifically Sp, have undergone neck strength and power adaptations to meet the specific requirements of their positions. Certain JPG are significantly weaker than the SPG and have not undergone similar positional adaptations, possibly placing them at increased risk of injury.