Rugby Athletes Research Articles

The 50 Most Cited Papers on Rugby since 2000 Reveal a Focus Primarily on Strength and Conditioning in Elite Male Players.

We sought to conduct a bibliometric analysis and review of the most cited publications relating to rugby since 2000 in order to identify topics of interest and those that warrant further investigations. Clarivate Web of Science database was used to perform a literature search using the search term "rugby." The top 200 papers by citation count were extracted and reviewed for the inclusion criteria: all subjects were rugby players. The top 50 manuscripts were included for analysis of author, publication year, country of lead authors, institution, journal name and impact factor, topic, participant sex, and level of rugby. The total number of citations was 9,071 (average of 181.4 citations/article), with an average journal impact factor of 7.21; the top article was cited 407 times at the time of analysis. The most frequent publication was the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (26%), followed by the British Journal of Sports Medicine (20%) and the Journal of Sports Sciences (18%). Forty-eight (96%) of the manuscripts contained only male subjects, with 1 manuscript including females only and 1 manuscript containing mixed sexes. Thirty-three (66%) of the manuscripts focused on professional rugby players, with the next highest player group being mixed levels (10%). Twenty-eight (56%) concentrated on topics regarding strength and conditioning, 11 (22%) on injury, and 4 (8%) on physiology. Despite rugby being one of the most injurious sports and community players representing the largest component of the player pool, most of the top-cited rugby articles are cohort studies of professional male athletes focused on performance and strength and conditioning, noting the bias in research towards socially relevant topics that may not impact the majority of stakeholders and long-term health of rugby athletes. These findings highlight the need for further research among women and community athletes and on topics in injury prevention.

On-field instrumented mouthguard coupling

Instrumented mouthguard (iMG) sensors have been developed to measure sports head acceleration events (HAE) in brain injury research. Laboratory validation studies show that effective coupling of iMGs with the human skull is crucial for accurate head kinematics measurements. However, iMG-skull coupling has not been investigated in on-field sports settings. The objective of this study was to assess on-field iMG coupling using infrared proximity sensing and to investigate coupling effects on kinematics signal characteristics. Forty-two university-level men’s ice hockey (n = 21) and women’s rugby (n = 21) athletes participated in the study, wearing iMGs during 6–7 month in-season periods. Proximity data classified video-verified HAE recordings into four main iMG coupling categories: coupled (on-teeth), decoupling (on-teeth to off-teeth), recoupling (off-teeth to on-teeth) and decoupled (off-teeth). Poorly-coupled HAEs showed significantly higher peak angular acceleration amplitudes and greater signal power in medium–high frequency bands compared with well-coupled HAEs, indicating potential iMG movements independent of the skull. Further, even video-verified true positives included poorly-coupled HAEs, and iMG coupling patterns varied between the men’s hockey and women’s rugby teams. Our findings show the potential of using proximity sensing in iMGs to identify poorly-coupled HAEs. Utilizing this data screening process in conjunction with video review may mitigate a key source of sensor noise and enhance the overall quality of on-field sports HAE datasets.

Attenuation of the increase of heart rate and oxygen consumption during progressive exercise in professional rugby players.

The response of oxygen uptake (VO<inf>2</inf>) and heart rate (HR) to continuous progressive large muscle mass exercise is not always linear. This study aimed to compare the patterns of the Speed/VO<inf>2</inf> (S/VO<inf>2</inf>) and speed/HR (S/HR) relationships during an incremental treadmill-running test in professional rugby players. Fourteen professional rugby athletes performed a maximal incremental treadmill-running test, following the Conconi test protocol. Speed, heart rate, and gas exchange parameters were recorded. The slope of the S/VO<inf>2</inf> and S/HR relationships were mathematically determined. The S/VO<inf>2</inf> and S/HR relationships were linear up to a submaximal speed and curvilinear thereafter. The speed of locomotion at which the slope of the S/VO<inf>2</inf> and S/HR relationships start to attenuate (VO<inf>2att</inf> and HR<inf>att</inf>) were coincident (12.3±1.0 and 12.4±0.9 km/h), strongly correlated and in good agreement. VO<inf>2</inf> values at VO<inf>2att</inf> (44.9±8.7 mL/kg/min) were significantly correlated with VO<inf>2</inf> values at the ventilatory threshold (43.3±6.0 mL/kg/min) (R2=0.83, P=0.001) and in good agreement. The running speed/VO<inf>2</inf> ratio (ΔS/ΔVO<inf>2</inf>) up to VO<inf>2att</inf> was significantly lower than that beyond VO<inf>2att</inf> (2.98±1.1 vs. 5.16±2.31); P<0,001). The speed/oxygen uptake and S/HR relationships during progressive exercise start to attenuate at a coincident exercise intensity, and at oxygen uptake values strongly correlated with the ventilatory threshold. These findings further support the usefulness of the attenuation of the S/HR relationship as a practical tool for exercise testing and training purposes in professional rugby players.

Metaphorical Perceptions of Rugby Athletes towards the Concept of Rugby

Ragbi, oyunculara sosyal ve sağlıklı yaşam kazandıran, yüksek düzeyde fiziksel uygun-luk gerektiren ve alan kazanmaya dayalı ve üniversite öğrencileri arasında da popü-lerliği her geçen gün artmakta olan bir takım sporudur. Dolayısıyla bu araştırma-nın amacı, ragbi oynayan sporcuların ragbi kavramına yönelik algılarını metaforlar aracılığıyla ortaya çıkarmaktır. Araştırma-ya 2020-2021 sezonunda Türkiye Ragbi Ligi ve üniversiteler arası müsabakalara katılmış toplam 50 sporcu katılmıştır. Araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerin-den biri olan fenomenoloji (olgu bilim) deseni kullanılmıştır. Verilerin elde edil-mesinde, her bir sporcuya kişisel bilgi formu uygulanmış ve sporculardan “Ragbi …… gibidir/benzer; çünkü ...…” cümlesini tamamlamaları ve oluşturdukları metafor-ları açıklamaları istenmiştir. Veri toplama aracı elektronik formlar vasıtasıyla uygu-lanmıştır. Ayrıca tüm katılımcılar gönüllü-lük esasına dayanarak çalışmada yer almıştır. Veriler içerik analizi tekniğiyle çözümlenmiştir. Verilerin analizinde sırasıyla adlandırma, eleme, kategori geliştirme, geçerlik ve güvenirliğin sağlanması, elde edilen metaforların frekanslarının hesaplanması, yorumlanması aşamaları takip edilmiştir. Sporcuların bakış açıları incelendiğinde, büyük bir çoğunluğunun yapmış oldukları spor branşını günlük yaşamın getirdiği mental yorgunluktan kurtulma ve sosyalleşme alanı olarak benimsemiş oldukları sonucuna ulaşılmış-tır.

Correlations Between Shoulder and Hip Joints in Professional Male Rugby Players and Their Impact on Body Balance

Introduction: The game of rugby is becoming more and more popular, despite the fact that it is a collision sport in which skill plays a large role. In the training process, great importance is placed on the development of general physical fitness, in particular, on strength, power and muscular endurance.Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the co-organisation between range of motion, body balance, power and speed of the kick and throw in men practicing rugby.Material and methods: The study involved 19 players training rugby on the Extraleague team of MKS Ogniwo Sopot, with an average age of 27.325.49. The Inbody 270 body composition analyser, the EPSR1 mat measuring the distribution of foot pressure on the ground, the WiVA sensor for measuring the range of motion and the Tendo Unit for measuring the explosive force were used to carry out testing.Results: The results indicate that people with a higher level of balance perform a throw with more power and speed. It was also shown that the range of motion in the upper limb is directly proportional to the range of motion in the hip joint.Conclusions: In the sport of rugby, flexion and extension movements of both the shoulder and hip joints are performed alternately. Based on the results, it can be concluded that in rugby athletes, balance training deserves special attention, which may translate into greater speed and power of the throw during a game. At the same time, an increase in the range of motion when flexing the arm and an increase in the pressure on the forefoot were noted, and the inversely proportional relationship between the COP area of the whole body and the heel area of the left foot may indicate the transfer of body mass by the tested players to the metatarsal and forefoot.

Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete

BackgroundPre-participation cardiac screening (PCS) of “Super-League” rugby football league (RFL) athletes is mandatory but may be completed at any time point. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac electrical, structural and functional variation across the competitive season.MethodsElite, male, RFL athletes from a single Super-League club underwent cardiac evaluation using electrocardiography (ECG), 2D echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) at four time points across the RFL season; (1) End pre-season (ENDPRE), (2) mid-season (MIDCOMP), (3) end-season (ENDCOMP) and (4) End off-season (ENDOFF). Training loads for each time point were also determined. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni were used for statistical analyses.ResultsTotal workload undertaken by athletes was lower at both MIDCOMP and ENDCOMP compared to ENDPRE (P < 0.001). ECG patterns were normal with training-related changes that were largely consistent across assessments. Structural data did not vary across assessment points. Standard functional data was not different across assessment points but apical rotation and twist were higher at ENDPRE (9.83˚ and 16.55˚, respectively compared to all other time points (MIDCOMP, 6.13˚ and 12.62˚; ENDCOMP, 5.84˚ and 12.12˚; ENDOFF 6.60˚ and 12.35˚).ConclusionsDespite some seasonal variation in training load, the athletes’ ECG and cardiac structure were stable across a competitive season. Seasonal variation in left ventricular (LV) apical rotation and twist, associated with higher training loads, should be noted in the context of PCS.

Edukasi Pencegahan Cidera Bahu Terhadap Atlet Rugby di PRUI Boyolali

Exercise is a form of planned and structured physical activity that involves repetitive body movements and is aimed at improving physical fitness. Seeing the game of rugby sport is vulnerable to injury if it is not paid attention to the correct warm-up. Rugby poses a high risk of injury. This activity will be held on June 10, 2023 in the field of Winong Hamlet, Boyolali District, Boyolaali Boyolali Regency, Central Java using leaflet media and direct practical explanations. The result obtained from this rugby community activity is that athletes can add insight into the knowledge of handling acute injuries to the shoulder using the PEACE method which is proven by the results of the evaluation value carried out. The conclusion is that the use of poster media and direct practical explanations has a very good impact in increasing the knowledge of rugby athletes about handling acute injuries.

Hamstring musculotendon mechanics of prospectively injured elite rugby athletes

ABSTRACT The musculotendon mechanics of the hamstrings during high-speed running are thought to relate to injury but have rarely been examined in the context of prospectively occurring injury. This prospective study describes the hamstring musculotendon mechanics of two elite rugby players who sustained hamstring injuries during on-field running. Athletes undertook biomechanical analyses of high-speed running during a Super Rugby pre-season, prior to sustaining hamstring injuries during the subsequent competition season. The biceps femoris long head muscle experienced the greatest strain of all hamstring muscles during the late swing phase. When expressed relative to force capacity, biceps femoris long head also experienced the greatest musculotendon forces of all hamstring muscles. Musculotendon strain and force may both be key mechanisms for hamstring injury during the late swing phase of running.

Comparison of echocardiographic methods for calculating left ventricular mass in elite rugby football league athletes and the impact on chamber geometry.

Recommendations for the echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) mass in the athlete suggest the use of the linear method using a two-tiered classification system (2TC). The aims of this study were to compare the linear method and the area-length (A-L) method for LV mass in elite rugby football league (RFL) athletes and to establish how any differences impact the classification of LV geometry using 2TC and four-tier (4TC) classification systems. Two hundred and twenty (220) male RFL athletes aged 25 ± 5 (14-34 years) were recruited. All athletes underwent echocardiography and LV mass was calculated by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) corrected Linear equation (2D) and the A-L method. Left ventricular mass Index (LVMi) was used with relative wall thickness to determine geometry in the 2TC and with concentricity and LV end diastolic volume index for the 4TC. Method specific recommended cut-offs were utilised. Higher values of absolute (197 ± 34 vs. 181 ± 34 g; p < 0.0001) and indexed (92 ± 13 vs. 85 ± 13 g/m2; p < 0.0001) measures of LV mass were obtained from A-L compared to the linear method. Normal LV geometry was demonstrated in 98.2% and 80% of athletes whilst eccentric hypertrophy in 1.4% and 19.5% for linear and A-L respectively. Both methods provided 0.5% as having concentric remodelling and 0% as having concentric hypertrophy. Allocation to the 4TC resulted in 97% and 80% with normal geometry, 0% and 8.6% with eccentric dilated hypertrophy, 0% and 7.7% with eccentric non-dilated hypertrophy, 1.4% and 0.5% with concentric remodelling and 1.4% and 3% with concentric non-dilated hypertrophy for linear and A-L methods respectively. No participants had concentric dilated hypertrophy from either methods. The linear and A-L method for calculation of LV mass in RFL athletes are not interchangeable with significantly higher values obtained using A-L method impacting on geometry classification. More athletes present with eccentric hypertrophy using 2TC and eccentric dilated/non-dilated using 4TC. Further studies should be aimed at establishing the association of A-L methods of LV mass and application of the 4TC to the multi-factorial demographics of the athlete.

The Effects of a Field-Based Priming Session on Perceptual, Physiological, and Performance Markers in Female Rugby Sevens Players.

This study aimed to determine the effects of a field-based priming session on perceptual, physiological, and performance responses in female rugby sevens athletes. Thirteen highly trained female rugby sevens players (age: 20.7 [2.0]y; height: 169.3 [4.8]cm; weight: 68.8 [7.9]kg) completed either a 20-minute field-based priming session or a control condition. Perceptual, physiological, and performance variables were collected at baseline (PRE) and 5 (POST5), 30 (POST30), and 120minutes (POST120) postintervention. Data were analyzed using Bayesian mixed effects models. The priming protocol had a larger increase in mental readiness (maximum a posteriori [MAP] = 20, 95% high-density intervals [HDI] = -4 to 42, probability of direction [PD]% = 95, % in region of practical equivalence [ROPE] = 9.7), physical readiness (MAP = 20.1, 95% HDI = -4.6 to 42.1, PD% = 93, % in ROPE = 10.6), and testosterone (MAP = 14.9, 95% HDI = 0.5 to 27.7, PD% = 98, % in ROPE = 5.6) than the control POST30. Cognitive performance decreased POST120 in the priming condition for congruent (MAP = 0.02, 95% HDI = -0.06 to 0.00, PD% = 95, % in ROPE = 6.4) and incongruent tasks (MAP = 0.00, 95% HDI = -0.07 to 0.00, PD% = 98, % in ROPE = 3.2) when compared with the control. Perceptual and physiological markers improved POST30 in the priming condition. Findings indicate that perceptual and physiological responses to priming were not coupled with performance improvements. Priming was not accompanied by perceptual, physiological, or performance improvements at POST120.

Training and Competition Loads in Women's Rugby Sevens Athletes: Are There Implications for Cardiovascular Health?

National- and international-level rugby sevens athletes are exposed to high training and competition loads over the course of a competitive season. Research on load monitoring and body-system responses is widespread; however, the primary focus has been on optimizing performance rather than investigating or improving cardiovascular health. There is a degree of cardiovascular remodeling, as well as local and systemic inflammation, in response to excessive exercise. These responses are moderated by many factors including previous exercise exposure, current exercise intensity and duration, age, race, and gender, as well as sport-specific physiology. For these reasons, high-performing female rugby sevens athletes may have a unique cardiovascular risk profile different from males and other rugby codes. This review aimed to characterize the training and competition loads, as well as the anthropometric and physiological profiles, of female rugby sevens athletes; discuss the potential impacts these may have on the cardiovascular system; and provide recommendations on future research regarding the relationship between rugby sevens training and competition loads and cardiovascular health. Movement demands, competition formatting, and training routines could all contribute to adverse cardiovascular adaptations. Anthropometric data and physiological characteristics may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Future research needs to adopt measures of cardiovascular health to obtain a greater understanding of cardiovascular profiles and risk factors in female rugby sevens athletes.

Wheelchair Rugby Sprint Force-Velocity Modeling Using Inertial Measurement Units and Sport Specific Parameters: A Proof of Concept.

Para-sports such as wheelchair rugby have seen increased use of inertial measurement units (IMU) to measure wheelchair mobility. The accessibility and accuracy of IMUs have enabled the quantification of many wheelchair metrics and the ability to further advance analyses such as force-velocity (FV) profiling. However, the FV modeling approach has not been refined to include wheelchair specific parameters. The purpose of this study was to compare wheelchair rugby sprint FV profiles, developed from a wheel-mounted IMU, using current mono-exponential modeling techniques against a dynamic resistive force model with wheelchair specific resistance coefficients. Eighteen athletes from a national wheelchair rugby program performed 2 × 45 m all-out sprints on an indoor hardwood court surface. Velocity modelling displayed high agreeability, with an average RMSE of 0.235 ± 0.07 m/s-1 and r2 of 0.946 ± 0.02. Further, the wheelchair specific resistive force model resulted in greater force and power outcomes, better aligning with previously collected measures. The present study highlights the proof of concept that a wheel-mounted IMU combined with wheelchair-specific FV modelling provided estimates of force and power that better account for the resistive forces encountered by wheelchair rugby athletes.

THE EFFECT OF ARM MUSCLE EXPLOSION, HANDS EYE COORDINATION AND ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION ON SPIN PASS SKILLS AT DKI JAKARTA RUGBY ATHLETES

This study aims to determine the effect of Arm Muscle Explosive Power, Hand Eye Coordination and Achievement Motivation on Spin Pass Skills in DKI Jakarta Rugby Athletes. The research sample was 45 DKI Jakarta Rugby Athletes. The research approach used in this study was multivariate associative, with survey methods and test and non-test techniques. The analysis technique uses a path analysis approach at a significance level of 0.05. the conclusion of each research finding shows (1) There is a direct influence between each independent variable {Arm Muscle Explosive Power (X1), Hand Eye Coordination (X2), and Achievement Motivation (X3), (2) There is a direct effect of each independent variable {Arm Muscle Explosive Power (X1), Hand Eye Coordination (X2), and Achievement Motivation (X3) have a direct influence on Spin Pass Skills (Y)}, (3) There is an indirect effect of Arm Muscle Explosive Power (X1) through Achievement Motivation (X3) on Spin Pass Skills. (Y). There is an indirect effect of Eye-Hand Coordination (X2) through Achievement Motivation (X3) on Spin Pass Skills. (Y). Thus, Spin Pass Skills can be improved through increased Arm Muscle Explosive Power, Hand Eye Coordination and Achievement Motivation

THE EFFECT OF POWER, BALANCE AND COORDINATION ON DROPKICK CONVERSION KICKING SKILLS ON RUGBY 7'S WOMEN ATHLETES DKI JAKARTA

This study aims to determine the effect of power, balance and coordination on the accuracy of dropkick conversion in female DKI Jakarta rugby athletes. Population is all members of UNJ rugby and Banteng rugby club. The measurement of the accuracy of the dropkick kick uses a drop kick rum kick test, the power variable uses the Vertical Jump test, the balance variable uses the Bosuball Balance Single Leg test. In coordination component, the researcher modified the Sridadi test instrument to be a drop up in test. The analysis technique uses a path analysis approach at a significance level of 0.05. The conclusion of each research finding shows (1) There is a direct influence between each independent variable: power (X1), Balance (X2), and Coordination (X3), (2) There is a direct effect of each independent variable {Power (X1), Balance (X2), and Coordination (X3) have a direct effect on the dropkick conversion kick (Y)}, (3) There is an Indirect Effect of Power (X1) through coordination (X3) of the dropkick conversion kick (Y). There is an indirect effect of balance (X2) through Coordination (X3) on the dropkick conversion (Y). Thus, kick dropkick conversion can be increased through increased power, balance and coordination.

Profil Kondisi Fisik Dominan Atlet Putra Tim Pon XX Rugby 7’s Papua

This research aims to determine the profile of the dominant physical condition of male athletes from the PON XX Rugby 7 Papua team. The method used is the survey method. The research sample used total sampling, namely 12 athletes. The analysis technique used is quantitative descriptive analysis technique with percentages. The research variables are 5 components of rugby's dominant physical condition which are the test items: Strength, Speed, Power, Agility, Endurance. The results of the study showed that of the 12 athletes, only a few categories met and the remaining 0% or 0 people, including: Strength (squat) athletes were in the category ''very good'' 83.33% or 10 people and the category "poor ” 16.67% or 2 people. Strength (Bench Press) of athletes in the "poor" category is 8.33% or 1 person, "medium" is 25% or 3 people, "good" is 8.33% or 1 person, "very good" is 58.34 % or 7 people. The speed of athletes in the "very poor" category was 16.67% or 2 people, "medium" was 25% or 3 people, "good" was 16.67% or 2 people, "very good" was 14.66% or 5 person. Power (Vertical jump) of athletes in the category "very poor" 16.67% or 2 people, "poor" 16.67% or 2 people, "medium" 50% or 6 people, "good" 16.67% or 2 people. Athletes' agility in the "poor" category was 8.33% or 1 person, "medium" was 41.67% or 5 people, "good" was 25% or 3 people, "very good" was 25% or 3 people. The endurance of athletes in the "very good" category was 8.33% or 1 person. Category "good" 8.33% or 1 person. Category "medium" 33.33% or 4 people. The “less” category is 50% or 6 people. Conclusion The physical condition of the men of the XX PON team of Papuan Rugby Athletes as a whole is classified into 3 categories, namely 12 athletes, there are 3 people or 25% whose physical condition is in the ''poor'' category, 6 people or 50% have the physical condition in the ''good'' category and 3 people (25%) have the ''Very Good” category.

A-35 Difficulty Speaking, Stuttering, and Missing Words Post-Concussion: Findings from Two Independent Studies

Abstract Purpose The current investigation examined the potential consequences of concussion on speech-language abilities by analyzing quantitative and qualitative data from two independent studies. Methods Study 1: 185 rugby, soccer, football, rowing, and hockey athletes (M=17.42 years, SD=3.80; 44% female) completed the Rosenbaum Concussion Attitude and Knowledge Survey (RoCKAS). Study 2: 19 varsity soccer, rugby, volleyball, and basketball athletes (M=21.74 years, SD=2.13; 37% female) with history of at least one concussion completed individual one-hour semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across athletes’ experiences of concussion. Results Study 1: Quantitative analysis of athletes’ endorsements of distractor and legitimate post-concussive symptoms on the RoCKAS yielded a relatively low rate of endorsement across all distractor symptoms (1–29%, M=11%), with the exception of ‘difficulty speaking’, which was endorsed by majority (70%) of the sample. Study 2: Thematic analysis of interview content identified long-term difficulties with speech articulation (i.e., stuttering and word-finding) as a post-concussive symptom for 42% of the sample. Conclusions While speech abilities are largely thought to remain intact following concussion, quantitative and qualitative findings from these two independent studies suggest that speech difficulties may be an overlooked outcome of concussion. Several neuropsychological (e.g., attention, memory, executive function, or processing speed) and neuropathophysiological (e.g., diffuse axonal damage to cortico-subcortical pathways) processes may be underlying this relationship. Exploratory studies and longitudinal data are needed to elucidate the potential consequences of concussion on speech-language abilities.

Types of Injury Experienced by Rugby Athletes in Indonesia

Rugby is a popular sport categorized as a physical game with a high level of physical contact and significant injury risk. The purpose of this study was to find out and describe the type of injury suffered by Rugby athletes in Indonesia. This quantitative descriptive research was conducted by evaluating male rugby athletes (N = 62) experiencing injury using a questionnaire. The questionnaire questions focused on anthropometry, age when experiencing the injury, causes of injury, anatomical injury, and types of injury. The anthropometry analysis result of the Rugby athletes aged 16-30 years showed that they had an ideal body mass index (16-20 years = 21.0 ± 2.8 vs 21-25 years = 23.2 ± 1.3 vs 26-30 years = 25.9 ± 1.0). The common injuries found in Rugby athletes was acute injuries (56%) compared to overuse injuries (44%). The result also showed that 65% of 62 players suffered a lower limb injury, only 35% of the 62 players suffered an upper limb injury. In general, 53% of 62 players suffered ligament injury, where 31% of injury occurred in the Knee. The cause of injury suffered by Rugby players was physical contact with opponents. The data described that 50% of 62 players suffered injuries due to physical contact. This study indicates that physical contact is a common cause of injury to Rugby athletes, while the type of injury that often occurs is a ligament injury where the lower limb becomes the most common injury. As they get older, the risk of injury in Rugby athletes in Indonesia is increasing.

Force-velocity profiling of elite wheelchair rugby players by manipulating rolling resistance over multiple wheelchair sprints.

This study investigated the effect of increased rolling resistance on wheelchair sprint performance and the concomitant force-velocity characteristics. Thirteen wheelchair rugby (WCR) athletes completed five 15 s wheelchair sprints in their own rugby wheelchair on an instrumented dual-roller wheelchair ergometer. The first sprint was performed against a close to overground resistance and in each of the following sprints, the resistance increased with 80% of that resistance. A repeated-measures ANOVA examined differences between sprints. Subsequently, linear regression analyses examined the individual force-velocity relations and then, individual parabolic power output curves were modeled. Increased rolling resistance led to significantly lower velocities (-36%), higher propulsion forces (+150%) and higher power outputs (+83%). These differences were accompanied by a lower push frequency, higher push time, yet a constant recovery time and contact angle. The modeled linear regressions (R2 = 0.71 ± 0.10) between force and velocity differed a lot in slope and intercept among individual athletes. The peak of the power output parabola (i.e., the optimal velocity) occurred on average at 3.1 ± 0.6 ms-1 . These individual force-velocity profiles can be used for training recommendations or technological changes to better exploit power generation capabilities of the WCR athletes' musculoskeletal system.

The effects of taurine ingestion on anaerobic and physiological performance in female rugby players

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of low, moderate, or high doses of taurine on anaerobic and physiological performance in female rugby players. A total of 16 sub-elite female rugby athletes (21.3 ± 1.5 yr, 168.0 ± 4.9 cm, 62.1 ± 3.5 kg mean ± SD) participated in this research. Following familiarization, participants attended 4 successive tests separated by 72 h in a randomized, counter-balanced, crossover research design. Following an over night fast, participants completed a 5-min 60 Watt warm-up followed by a 30-s Wingate anaerobic test on a cycle ergometer after ingestion of either 2 g taurine (LOWTAU), 4 g (MODTAU), 6 g (HIGHTAU) or placebo (PLA) 1 h before the test. Peak (PP) and mean power (MP) along with heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), capillary lactate and blood glucose were measured. LOWTAU did not affect PP, MP, HR, lactate and glucose compared to PLA (p > 0.05), while MODTAU improved MP and HIGHTAU improved PP and MP compared to PLA and LOWTAU (p < 0.05). MODTAU and HIGHTAU had little effect on HR, blood lactate and glucose (p > 0.05). A single dose of taurine (MODTAU or HIGHTAU) 1 h prior to competition or training would provide an ergogenic effect on subsequent power output.

Cumulative effects of subsequent concussions on the neural patterns of young rugby athletes: data from event-related potentials

ABSTRACT Our study aimed at detecting a potential cumulative effect of subsequent concussions on the neural activation patterns of young rugby athletes with or without concussion history. Event-related brain potential (ERP) data from 24 rugby players, 22-year-old on average, were retrospectively examined. All underwent a Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT2) during preseason and an on-site ERP task (P300) following a recent concussion event (<48 hours). Sixteen players suffered at least one concussion in the previous 3 years and eight were without self-reported past concussion. While no differences were reported between groups regarding symptom appraisal on the SCAT2 assessment, ERP revealed significantly decreased P3b amplitude and a trend for increased P3b latency in players who experienced prior concussions. Our data thus support the cumulative effect of concussions on neuroelectric events in young rugby players, highlighting the importance of managing player’s concussion load to reduce the risk of long-term injuries.