Rugby Game Research Articles

Wellness status and training load among Malaysian rugby players during Asia rugby men's champi-onship 2023: a comparative analysis

The Asia Rugby Men's Championship (ARMC) is a well-known platform for rugby teams in the area to exhibit their abilities and compete on an international level. The tournament's physical and psychological strains on competitors may have consequences for their overall health. The purpose of this study is to look at the training load and the acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and to evaluate the wellness on the Malaysia Rugby squad during the Asia Rugby Men's Championship 2023. The study enlisted the participation of 30 Malaysia Rugby squad members. Throughout the competition, training load data such as session time, session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), and numerous wellness indicators such as fatigue, sleep quality, mood, muscular soreness, and stress level were thoroughly evaluated. The ACWR was determined by dividing the chronic workload rolling average by the acute workload rolling average. The data demonstrated differences in training load patterns and ACWR values and self-report questionnaires were used to collect data for wellness status throughout the competition. The study emphasizes the significance of monitoring training load to optimize player performance and reduce the risk of injury during strenuous rugby tournaments. The study reveals wellness difficulties faced by Malaysia Rugby players at ARMC 2023, guiding personalized interventions to enhance well-being and performance during international rugby games. It also enhances understanding of training load management approaches and may guide future training methods for similar events. Keywords. training load monitoring, acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR), Malaysia Rugby, athlete performance, injury risk, wellness status, player well-being.

An empirical study of the flag rugby game programme to promote gross motor skills and physical fitness in 5–6 year old preschool children

In order to investigate the effects of a flag rugby game programs on the development of gross motor skills and physical fitness in 5–6 year old preschool children. An overall random sampling method was adopted to select 56 preschoolers aged 5–6 years from class A and class B,class A was the ExG (28) implemented a flag rugby games intervention program,and class B was the ConG (28) implemented a regular physical education program,with a 12-week intervention period.The content and requirements of the experimental intervention program were determined through a systematic analysis method, and the subjects' gross motor skills level was tested using the TGMD-3, and their physical fitness level was measured using China's fifth national physical fitness monitoring of early childhood (3–6 years) component.Experimental data were statistically analyzed using independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA test.After 12 weeks of practice, 1）We found that the ExG outperformed the ConG in Skip,One hand stationary dribble, Overhand throw, Underhand throw, Forehand strike of self-bounced,Kick a stationary ball, Total object control subject score, Total gross motor score test results with significant differences (p < 0.05).The ExG differed significantly (p < 0.01) in Grip strength, Stand long jump,Sit forward bend, Continuous jump on both feet,15 m obstacle run,Walk the balance beam, while the ConG differed significantly (p < 0.05) only in Continuous jump on both feet,15 m obstacle run and Stand long jump.2）We also found gender differences in gross motor skills and Physical fitness test results, this difference is manifested in boys outperformed girls in Total object control subject Score, Grip strength and 15 m obstacle run with significant difference (p < 0.05), girls outperformed boys in Sit forward bend with significant difference (p < 0.05).The 12-week flag rugby game programs improved gross motor skills and physical fitness levels of 5–6 year old preschoolers more comprehensively than the regular program, and we recommend the purposeful and organized promotion of a flag rugby game programs in the physical activity curriculum for 5–6 year old preschoolers.

Perceived risk-based sport spectator segmentation during the pandemic situation

PurposeAlthough many attempts to discover key segments of sport spectators have been extant, little segmentation effort has been made to reflect pandemic situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to classify sport spectators into key segments based on perceived risks associated with a mass-gathered sporting event during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to identify each segment’s profiles.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys of spectators attending a Japanese rugby game during the COVID-19 pandemic (January–June 2021) were conducted (n = 1,410). A combination of hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering methods was executed.FindingsThe results revealed the five-cluster solution as the optimal number of clusters representing the samples (i.e. spectators with extremely low-risk perception, those with low-risk perception, those with moderate-risk perception, those with high-risk perception and those with higher social risk perception). This five-cluster solution showed sufficient stability and validity. Moreover, each segment had different profiles regarding three background aspects – demographics, psychographics and behavioral variables.Originality/valueThis study is the first effort to segment sport spectators based on perceived risks associated with a mass-gathered sporting event in the pandemic situation. Despite extensive segmentation studies to explore sport fans, contribution reflecting the post-crisis situations is scant. Therefore, the findings provide insight into this realm by providing a new viewpoint for understanding sport spectators during a possible future pandemic era.

Differences and variability of physical and technical characteristics among rugby union small-sided games performed within a preseason

This study aimed to investigate the differences in physical and technical characteristics among three specific rugby union small-sided games (SSG) and to examine the variability of these characteristics over three weeks within a preseason of a professional rugby union club. Eighteen backs and 22 forwards were recruited for the study. The three SSG designs were: backs only (SSG-B), forwards only (SSG-F) and both backs and forwards (SSG-BF). Physical characteristics were quantified using external (e.g., total distance covered [m·min−1]) and internal (i.e., Stagno's training impulse [AU·min−1]) load measures. Technical characteristics were quantified using the number of rucks, successful passes, unsuccessful passes, line breaks and tries per minute. The SSG-BF produced a greater high speed (&gt;61%) running distance covered in comparison with SSG-B (1.97 vs. 1.32 m·min−1) and SSG-F (1.26 vs. 0.94 m·min−1), and more successful passes (9.47 vs. 9.36 count·min−1) and line breaks (0.98 vs. 0.65 count·min−1) than SSG-F. Conversely, all the other physical and technical characteristics were higher in SSG-B and SSG-F. All the physical and technical characteristics, except high speed (&gt;61%) distance covered in forwards and unsuccessful passes and tries per minute, changed over days showing either a linear or quadratic pattern. Based on these findings, practitioners may implement position-specific SSG (i.e., SSG-B and SSG-F) to expose players to greater physical and technical characteristics. Furthermore, if SSGs were to be repeated across multiple days, practitioners should be aware of the possible variability in physical and technical characteristics due to potential adaptations to the constraints or the onset of fatigue.

Characteristics of Falls Among Men's Wheelchair Rugby Players in the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games: A Video Analysis.

Wheelchair rugby is a contact sport in which falls are common and injury rates are high, yet the characteristics of the falls are still under-reported. We investigated the fall characteristics of men's wheelchair rugby players by functional classification, using all 36 official match videos from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 summer Paralympic Games. The videos were analyzed to evaluate the number of falls, playing time when the fall occurred, playing phase (offense or defense), contact with other players, foul judgement, direction of the fall, and the body part first in contact with the floor. All 182 men's wheelchair rugby players (Rio 2016, 94; Tokyo 2020, 88) were classified as low-point players or high-point players depending on their functional classification. A total of 200 falls were detected, 27 (13.5%) for low-point players and 173 (86.5%) for high-point players. Significant differences were noted between low-point players and high-point players in the direction of the fall and body part first in contact with the floor. High-point players had more falls in the forward and left-right directions, whereas low-point players were characterized by a higher percentage of falls in the left-right and backward directions. Additionally, high-point players landed on the floor with their hands with high frequency, whereas low-point players landed with their elbows and shoulders more often. Our findings suggest the significance of devising measures to prevent falls during men's wheelchair rugby games according to their functional classification.

Analysis of Game Method Training on Tackle Ability in Rugby Game

This research is based on the researcher's curiosity about the relationship between the Tackle Drill Game Method and the Tackle Rugby Ability as well as the lack of ability or technique to tackle (dropping opponents) on the Upi Sumedang campus rugby athletes. Therefore, the researcher wanted to find out whether the Tackle Drill Game Method has a good potential for success in the Tackle ability in the game of Rugby. The research method used is literature study, which examines data or theories put forward by previous researchers. Thus this study only compares whether there is a relationship, linkage or similarity of characteristics between the two variables to be studied. In practice, the researchers found that the tackle drill game method affects rugby tackle ability on the basis of saying that this drill training method makes an athlete have to perform the movements instructed by the coach repeatedly so that it allows an athlete to become accustomed (automatically) in performing a movement .

РАЗВИТИЕ ФИЗИЧЕСКИХ КАЧЕСТВ ШКОЛЬНИКОВ 9–14 ЛЕТ СРЕДСТВАМИ РЕГБИ

Statement of the problem and purpose. Currently, there is a need to understand the importance of physical culture, both social and individual value, which makes it possible to identify new trends in the development of public consciousness and personal motivations for the development of the cultural heritage of the planet [Minogina, 2017, p. 74]. The article analyzes and determines the degree of use of individual human abilities – the fundamental factors determining the level of culture of social consciousness and development. The methodology of the research consists of a theoretical analysis and generalization of the data of scientific and methodological literature of foreign and Russian scientists recognized by the scientific community in the field of physical culture, sports, psychology, and pedagogy, as well as practical experience in preparing the younger generation for rugby classes. Research results. Functional capabilities provided to a person during physical education and sports have almost unlimited possibilities. The tasks solved in the research work indicate the need to analyze the conditions of physical training of young rugby players at the present stage. In accordance with the analysis of the conditions for training young athletes, a complex of general developmental exercises has been developed. These exercises are provided as a means of physical education through the rugby game sport within the sensitive period of development of the younger generation. Conclusion. Experimental work has sufficiently proved the hypothesis that when practicing physical culture and sports, in particular, a game sport – rugby, it is necessary to take into account favorable periods of development of basic physical qualities in children during the period of sensitive development. In the research work, materials were considered to substantiate the arguments in favor of using an integrated approach to the training process of young rugby players aged 9–14. Practical significance of the research lies in the fact that the material contained in the work, as well as methodological recommendations, will help in a meaningful understanding of the educational process in physical culture and help predict its development, which is especially important in school education. The practical significance of the study is determined by the new placement of accents and guidelines in the content of physical education of schoolchildren, the choice of means and methods of organizing the pedagogical process focused on intensification and diversification of education.

Analysis on the Difficulties Related to the Training Activity Specific to Women’s Rugby

In Romania are just 4 women's rugby teams, and just 60-70 players, the selection and the competition in rugby is difficult. Also, the lack of skills of coaches in the women's rugby sector creates the need to promote education in and through sport with special focus on skills development of coaches interested in women's rugby. The objective of the study is to highlight the vulnerabilities faced by rugby coaches and female rugby athletes and find solutions for eliminating or diminishing prejudices like parents' fears of letting their girls practice a sport that can be considered harsh. The survey contains 27 questions and was applied online via google forms in four countries: Romania, Poland, Portugal and Spain. The research was carried out over a period of 2 months, in 2020. Participants were 126 rugby specialists: coaches, doctors, teachers, managers, referees. Results aim to provide important data for understanding the challenges faced by coaches and specialists in women's rugby 7: how to select girl athletes, what are the things that determine athletes to continue playing rugby, if their training should be different from that of the boys and how the women's rugby game could be promoted. Possible solutions can be: coaches may need to use a full range of questioning and demonstration strategies (use of experienced players to demonstrate, use of video). Physical differences between male and female children aged ten to twelve years of age are usually minimal. Rugby girls seven needs more media coverage.

Beyond The Close: Rugby School’s football network, 1840–1880

ABSTRACT Every assistant master appointed at Rugby School between 1782 and 1829 was an Oxford man. Thomas Arnold, headmaster since 1828, broke with tradition in 1830 when he invited James Prince Lee to teach the second highest form: Lee was a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. This minor revolution prompted many Rugbeians to choose Cambridge rather than Oxford, with an average of thirty-three Old Rugbeians at Trinity throughout the 1840s. There, alongside old boys from other public schools, they contributed to the great football debate: the creation of a common code. They also pushed the claims of their own distinctive handling code by capitalizing on the Trinity-Rugby network. This essay traces the quiet but highly effective spread of the Rugby game to the new public schools in the decades before the creation of the Rugby Football Union.

Pray and Play: Challenging Social Order through Collective Corporeal Rituals in a Prison

This paper examines how a collective of prisoners transform their everyday lives in a high security prison. We show how these individuals both become new beings, and significantly modify certain functioning rules of the prison and the relationships they have with the prison authorities; we theorize these achievements as produced by two body-related rituals created by prisoners themselves: one related to rugby games and trainings, another related to weekly collective prayers. We show how these rituals enhance the collective energy of the group and build capacities for prisoners to learn new knowledge and skills. Our analysis rests on an ethnographic study of the inmates’ rugby team “Los Espartanos”. We specifically analyze corporeal interactions during rugby games and collective prayers as embodied social practices that are meaningful and meaning making. We use carnal sociology to analyze how the acquisition and ritualization of corporeal collective capacities hold possibilities of transformation in very constraining organizational environments.

Common Issues and Differences in Motivational Support and the Effects of Rugby for the U-15 and U-16 National Teams

This study determines the differences in opinion of U-15 (20 boys) and U-16 (29 boys) rugby players from Romanian national teams, regarding motivational support (MS) and the effects/benefits (EB) of the sport. The evaluation questionnaire (based on 21 items with closed answers and 7 items with free answers) was applied between 29 November 2019 and 13 December 2019. The statistical calculation indicates the absence of significant differences between the groups for most items, with the exception of financial motivation (where the U-16 group has a higher score, p &lt; 0.05) and the usefulness of rugby for the population as a variant of active leisure (where the U-15 group has a higher score). However, U-15 athletes are more motivated by the examples of elite players, have increased involvement in terms of passion in training and competitions, and assign high scores to their relationships with the coach and teammates, while U-16 players are more optimistic about self-perceived skills as the basis of success in rugby. The U-15 team is more confident regarding most of the benefits of a rugby game, and those in the U-16 team have superior values in the context of favorable effects on attitude, as well as a better ability to concentrate at the levels of academics and sports. Masculine characteristics, the uniqueness, and physical contact are the main factors of attraction for rugby. Over 56% of the players practiced or practice other sports and sports games, with contact sports being at the top. A total of 96% of players suffered injuries, with the legs and arms being the most affected, but 25% of the U-15 group also suffered injuries to the head, with the main causes being physical contact with opponents and the superficiality of the warm-up. Workouts associated with physical training are the most difficult to bear, and the U-15 group is more bored with routine and monotony. A higher level of physical training/self-perceived fitness is the main strength of players, followed by technical and tactical knowledge.

A High-Intensity Warm-Up Increases Thermal Strain But Does Not Affect Repeated Sprint Performance in Athletes With a Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

To compare the effects of typical competition versus high-intensity intermittent warm-up (WU) on thermoregulatory responses and repeated sprint performance during wheelchair rugby game play. An intermittent sprint protocol (ISP) simulating the demands of wheelchair rugby was performed by male wheelchair rugby players (7 with cervical spinal cord injury [SCI] and 8 without SCI) following 2 WU protocols. These included a typical competition WU (control) and a WU consisting of high-intensity efforts (INT). Core temperature (Tcore), thermal sensation, and thermal comfort were recorded. Wheelchair performance variables associated to power, speed, and fatigue were also calculated. During the WU, Tcore was similar between conditions for both groups. During the ISP, a higher Tcore was found for SCI compared to NON-SCI (38.1 [0.3] vs 37.7 [0.3] °C: P = .036, d = 0.75), and the SCI group experienced a higher peak Tcore for INT compared with control (39.0 [0.4] vs 38.6 [0.6] °C; P = .004). Peak Tcore occurred later in the ISP for players with SCI (96 [5.8] vs 48 [2.7]min; P < .001). All players reported a higher thermal sensation and thermal comfort following INT (P < .001), with no differences between conditions throughout the ISP. No significant differences were found in wheelchair performance variables during the ISP between conditions (P ≥ .143). The high-INT WU increased thermal strain in the SCI group during the ISP, potentially due to increased metabolic heat production and impaired thermoregulation, while not impacting on repeated sprint performance. It may be advisable to limit high-INT bouts during a WU in players with SCI to mitigate issues related to hyperthermia in subsequent performance.

INFLUENCE OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON THE EXPLOSIVE POWER OF SENIOR RUGBY SEVENS PLAYERS

Rugby is a team sport in which physical contact with the opponent is direct. A fundamental feature of today’s rugby game indicates total physical involvement with the opponent, focusing on the contact struggle that takes place in both the individual and collective confrontation. Rugby sevens (7s) players engage in contact situations similar to rugby union and rugby league, such as tackling, rucking, carrying the ball into contact, mauling and scrummaging, which require strength and explosive power. Since plyometrics can significantly improve speed, strength and explosive power, this type of training can be recommended for rugby players. The present research was conducted on a group of 20 senior rugby players, professional athletes of the CS Politehnica Iași Women’s Rugby 7s team. The purpose of the research was to implement an eight-week programme (with two sessions per week) for the development of explosive power using the plyometric method. The tests consisted of the countermovement jump, free jump and squat jump, which were applied at the beginning of the training period for the championship return and at the end of the championship. The test results were entered into the SPSS (version 23) database, processed and analysed with the bilateral dependent t-test to compare the results. The study shows that plyometrics can be an effective training method to improve the explosive power of rugby sevens players. In conclusion, we can say that the explosive power of the lower limbs is an essential component that conditions sports performance in the game of rugby sevens.

Family perceptions of the Active Breed men’s health program

Introduction: Active Breed was a 12-week gender-tailored weight loss and health promotion program for men delivered through a professional National Rugby League club in South-Western Sydney, Australia. The intervention comprised 12 weekly 90-minute education and physical activity (PA) sessions delivered at the club’s home stadium. Education sessions focused on weight loss, PA, dietary intake, mental health, and domestic violence prevention, and PA sessions included training in the club’s gyms and rugby league-related games.

Explosive strength evolution of Romanian professional rugby players – Backs

The purpose of this study is to highlight the evolution of the explosive strength in the 4-year interval of the backs compartment and the level of adaptation to the game requirements. The hypothesis in this study is that the explosive strength of the lower limbs in rugby backs developed during the past 4 years, trying to keep up with the higher needs in the first Romanian league. Explosive power was measured using the ‘Just Jump System’, which is a plyometric test mat on which the players conducted a set of three tests: squat jump, control movement jump and free jump. The forwards significantly improved their explosive strength in a 4-year period. Although the total body mass got bigger, the players managed to improve their lower limbs’ explosive strength; this fact proves a good physical adaptation to the requirements of the rugby game.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Power, jump.

7人制ラグビーにおけるゲーム様相に関する研究 ―1999年 第7回 JAPAN SEVENS 国際大会を対象に―

7人制ラグビーにおけるゲーム様相に関する研究 ―1999年 第7回 JAPAN SEVENS 国際大会を対象に―

Beginnings and development of rugby in Singapore

In those early days, some sports were played as a variation of another. Rugby was one of the sports which was played as a variation of football. Codification of rugby rules took place only in the middle 1800 century and hence, participants of rugby games were a mixture of players from other sports such as tennis and cricket. Also, there was no formal rugby association or players with Singapore representation. The players that played for Singapore were members of the SCC and employees of the BEIC. Back then, they competed in tournaments against the Malayan states and other teams.

Rug-pee study: the prevalence of urinary incontinence among female university rugby players.

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence among female university varsity rugby players. Secondary objectives were to understand when the incontinence occurred and to assess the degree of bother experienced. It is postulated that female rugby players may have higher rates of urinary incontinence due to the high-impact activities involved in training and competitions. Data was collected via a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. A total of 95 athletes were included in the survey results. Urinary incontinence was experienced by 51 of the 95 (54%) players. Of the 51 athletes who reported leaking urine, 90% leaked urine when competing in a rugby game and 88% of players leaked when being tackled or hit. Despite the high prevalence of urinary incontinence, most players reported they were not bothered or only slightly bothered by their urinary leaking. Several of the players (18%) were interested in receiving treatment for their urinary incontinence. The prevalence of urinary incontinence among varsity female rugby players is 54%, which is consistent with rates among other high-impact sports. Surprisingly, the majority of these women are not bothered by their incontinence and most are not interested in treatment for this condition at this time.

Study on the score aspect of sevens rugby football game in Men and Women

Study on the score aspect of sevens rugby football game in Men and Women

The impact of crowd composition on egress performance

The data that is currently used when designing egress systems for stadia and other high-occupancy buildings was collected decades ago and might not be applicable in today's society. A systematic analysis of crowd movement was performed to investigate egress flows at a large stadium in the UK following four different event types (i.e., a football game, a rugby game, a concert featuring a male singer/songwriter and a concert featuring a female pop artist). Video footage captured the egressing crowds and the relationships between velocities, flows and densities across the different events were established. The results indicate that the crowd composition, along with external factors (e.g., weather), have a measurable impact on the velocities, flows and densities observed. These differences are likely linked to the body area occupied by different crowds and the social interaction between members of the crowd. The observed flowrates were all below 60 people/m*min, which is significantly lower than the maximum value (82 people/m*min) recommended in the 2018 Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (the sixth edition of the “Green Guide”). The observed behaviour and flowrates suggest the need to carefully consider the impact of crowd composition when planning stadium egress including emergency evacuation.