Rugby League Player Research Articles

Seasonal Muscular Power Changes: Considerations of Concurrent Resistance and Field-Based Training in Professional Rugby League.

Redman, KJ, Wade, L, Whitley, R, Connick, MJ, Kelly, VG, and Beckman, EM. Seasonal muscular power changes: considerations of concurrent resistance and field-based training in professional rugby league. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1620-1626, 2024-A rugby league player's ability to develop or maintain lower-body power will be significantly influenced by the resistance and field-based training loads completed. This study aimed to examine the power changes across a rugby league season and to investigate the relationship of concurrent training and training experience on power changes. Eighteen rugby league players participated in this study. Lower-body power was evaluated using a countermovement jump throughout the season. Four measures of external training loads were collected. A Friedman's test was used to assess differences in power throughout different phases of the season. A series of Spearman's rank-order correlations were conducted to assess the relationship between percentage changes in power during the training block, external training loads, and training experience. Countermovement jump peak velocity significantly decreased from the start ( p = 0.006) and end of pre-season ( p = 0.022) to the late competition. Correlation analysis revealed a large significant association between early competition field-based external loads (relative ( rs = -0.571) and total distance ( rs = -0.628)) and change in peak power. Very large significant negative relationships were also observed between mid-competition volume load with change in peak force ( rs = -0.825) and peak power ( rs = -0.736). Training experience was not significantly associated with changes in muscular power variables throughout this study. Coaches should seek to monitor changes in peak power when competition begins and to assist with decision-making for potential adjustments to running volume and intensity during field-based sessions.

Writing the British New Wave: David Storey and This Sporting Life

This article dislodges the assumptions of authorial cohesiveness and centrality that have defined the scholarly and critical reception of the New Wave and suggests ways of reframing our understanding of British realism and the collaborative labours that underpin it. It does so through consideration of This Sporting Life, the adaptation of David Storey’s 1960 novel of the same name, which concerns the rise and fall of miner and rugby league player Frank Machin and his doomed relationship with his landlady, Mrs Hammond. Drawing primarily on Storey’s archive, held at the University of York, this article considers the role of the writer in shaping the film, and by extension, the hugely significant but often less heralded contribution made by writers to the ethos and aesthetics of the British New Wave.

A Novel Case Study Approach to the Investigation of Leg Strength Asymmetry and Rugby League Player's Multidirectional Speed.

Helme, M, Emmonds, S, Low, C, and Till, K. A novel case study approach to the investigation of leg strength asymmetry and Rugby League player's multidirectional speed. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 941-947, 2024-Leg strength and multidirectional speed qualities have repeatedly been linked with increased performance during Rugby League (RL) match play and associated with career attainment. However, very little of this evidence for strength has been gained through unilateral measurements with no study available that has examined the impact of strength asymmetry, in this population, on speed qualities in RL players. Therefore, this study examined the association between unilateral strength, and as a novel development, the subject with the most extreme asymmetry was identified for further analysis. Fifty RL players undertook the rear foot elevated split squat 5 repetition maximum, 20-m linear sprint, and modified 505 change of direction test. The mean leg strength for the group was 88.92 ± 12.59 kg; when divided by body mass, the mean relative strength (REL) was 1.03 ± 0.17 kg·kg -1 , and the mean asymmetry was 3.21 ± 5.70%. The subject with the greatest asymmetry (subject A) had an imbalance of 33% and a mean leg strength of 75 kg (REL = 0.78 kg·kg -1 ) and a body mass 1 SD above the group mean. Analysis of the group's data and that of subject A did not indicate that leg strength asymmetry was either frequent or harmful, with respect to speed performance. However, relative leg strength was associated with both improved linear and multidirectional speed. Practitioners are recommended to prioritize the development of relative leg strength and disregard the aspiration for between leg performance symmetry.

A comparison of the match action characteristics of scholarship, academy, and senior rugby league: influence on career progression

ABSTRACT This study aimed to (1) compare individual player match action characteristics between scholarship, academy, and senior (European Super League, ESL) levels of the rugby league player pathway, and (2) compare match actions between players that have progressed to play ESL and those that did not. Data was collected on 147 players from 95 senior, 69 academy, and 23 scholarship matches over three seasons. Matches were filmed via 2 angles and 26 match action characteristics (e.g. carry, missed tackle) were coded. Linear mixed models identified 48 significant differences in match action characteristics when accounting for playing position between playing levels. Over seventy percent of the differences were defensive match actions, indicating there are higher defensive match demands in the ESL when compared to academy and scholarship match play. Seven and eleven match actions characteristics were identified at scholarship and academy levels that differentiated between players who had progressed to play in the ESL and those who had not. All but one of these characteristics were attacking match actions, indicating a player’s attacking qualities are important in their progression to the ESL. These results have implications for both talent identification and long-term athlete development in rugby league.

Playing Disability Rugby League with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Case Study

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a common inherited neurological disorder that causes damage to peripheral nerves. Reports of CMT patients participating in team-based sports such as disability rugby league are scarce. The objective of this case report was to evaluate the benefits of participation in disability rugby league in a 50-year-old male with CMT. Leg muscle mass and strength was worse for the case subject compared to two age-matched CMT participants with an exercise history; however, evidence of greater function in the case subject was observed through better 6-min walk test performance. Performance in a series of sport specific tests was noticeably worse for the case subject compared to a fellow rugby league player (age matched) with cerebral palsy. Inferior in-game performance was observed for the case subject compared to his fellow rugby league player in terms of distance covered, top running speed, and intensity. However, the case subject may have assumed a different role when playing as evident by the different behaviours he displayed during the games (i.e., less player contacts, tackles, or touches, but more passes of the ball). This case study provides information concerning disability rugby league as an adjunctive mode of treatment for CMT populations.

Seasonal Changes in Strength and Power in Elite Rugby League: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The ability of a rugby league player to express high levels of strength and power is crucial for success in competition. Although researchers have shown relationships between physical attributes and performance, there is a lack of information related to changes in strength and power across various phases of the season. The purpose of this review was to identify the magnitude of change in muscular strength and power during different phases of an elite rugby league season. Percentage change and effect size were calculated to evaluate the magnitude of changes in strength and power. Meta-analyses were conducted to provide pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals. Twelve studies were included; six reported changes following pre-season training, two during the competition phase and four examined changes over multiple seasons. Pooled estimates indicated large increases in upper and lower body strength 0.81 [0.43-1.19] and 1.35 [0.79-1.91], respectively, following pre-season training. Studies incorporating predominantly heavier loads (p 80% 1 RM) in training reported greater increases in maximal strength than studies completing lighter loads. Four studies used a wave-like programming strategy to obtain large improvements in strength and power 0.91 [0.36-1.45] and 0.90 [0.22-1.57], over multiple seasons. The results of this review highlight the limited current evidence and provides a preliminary reference point for strength and conditioning coaches aiming to develop and maintain strength and power across various stages, and over multiple seasons. Importantly, the results also indicate that higher loads result in greater increases in strength than lower loads.

Facilitating transition into a high-performance environment: The effect of a stressor-coping intervention program on elite youth rugby league players

ObjectivesTo facilitate elite youth Rugby League (RL) player transition into a high-performance environment, study objectives were to (i) identify environmental transition demands appraised by players as stressors; (ii) to develop and implement an RL contextualised stressor-coping intervention program; and (iii) evaluate intervention effectiveness in dealing with stressors during transitions experienced by the Under 20's (U20) players. DesignA quasi-experimental design with field-based complimentary multiple-methods. MethodA combination of background literature, ‘stressor audit’ (N = 8) and club stakeholder perspective (N = 6) data were integrated to inform intervention content. U20's youth RL players (N = 41) at two professional RL clubs then participated in intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 20) groups. The intervention group participated in six group-based education sessions, with follow-up focus-groups social validation. Three psychometric questionnaires implemented at three time-points (pre, post & follow-up), examined changes in coping strategy use, coping efficacy and psychological well-being. ResultsThe stressor audit identified team selection, injury, balancing work/study, and new high-performance environment adjustment as key stressors. Statistical analyses identified significant intervention group (versus controls) interaction effects for enhanced frequency of task-based coping strategy use; disengagement-based coping strategy reductions; and increased efficacy for using problem and emotion-focused coping strategies. No effect for distraction orientated coping, social-support efficacy, or in terms of psychological well-being was apparent. Focus-group data corroborated quantitative findings. ConclusionsThe RL context stressor-coping intervention led to specific favourable coping responses, suggesting similar interventions may be beneficial for practitioners/organisations wanting to assist transition into high-performance environments.

Incidence, prevalence and consequences of illness in academy rugby league players

ObjectivesTo assess the incidence, prevalence and consequences of illness in one professional academy rugby league club during an in-season period. DesignObservational prospective cohort study. MethodSeventeen male rugby league players (age 17.7±0.7 years, stature 178.8±5.1cm, body mass 87.2±9.6kg) completed a weekly self-report illness questionnaire using an amended version of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire on health problems. ResultsA total of 24 new illnesses were reported over the 25-week study period. 65% of players experienced at least one illness during the study. The incidence of illness in this cohort was 14.3 per 1000-player days, with the respiratory system being most commonly affected (n=15; 62.5%). The average weekly illness prevalence was 10.3%. Time-loss illness incidence was 1.4 per 1000-player days. Loss of body mass and sleep disruptions were the most commonly reported consequences of illness episodes. Mean body mass loss during a period of illness was 2.2±0.6kg. ConclusionsAcademy rugby league players are most commonly affected by respiratory illness with a total of nineteen training and competition days lost to illness. Associated consequences of illness, such as loss of body mass and sleep disruptions may present a challenge and negatively impact a rugby league player’s development. Appropriate medical provisions should be provided for Academy rugby league players to support them during periods of illness to limit the impact of these consequences.

One-to-One Support With a Professional Rugby League Player: A Case for Referral?

This article presents a reflective case study of an applied consultancy experience with a 22-year-old professional rugby league player. The primary aim of the intervention was to provide the client a confidential space where he could discuss his experiences in and outside of a sporting context while also exploring and challenging his core values and beliefs. The consultancy process lasted for 12 mo, leading to the development of a strong relationship. During this time, the client experienced multiple critical moments such as deselection from the first-team squad and contract negotiations, which at times led to reductions in his well-being and forced the trainee sport and exercise psychologist to consider his scope of practice in relation to mental health and depression. Reflections are provided that explore the possibility of referral during these moments. The case study also provides insight into the trainee sport and exercise psychologist’s philosophy of practice and how influential this can be when considering referral of a client. The importance of supervisor support during uncertain moments is highlighted, and the case study concludes with reflections from the client, trainee practitioner, and peer supervisor regarding the efficacy of the intervention and the decision not to refer.

Australian Rugby League player understanding, attitudes and perceptions of concussion at different professional levels

Australian Rugby League player understanding, attitudes and perceptions of concussion at different professional levels

Exploring Forms of Life in Player Development Pathways: The Case of British Rugby League

Social, cultural, and historical constraints can influence attitudes towards learning, developing, and performing in sport. A recent conceptualization of these environmental constraints in athlete development pathways is a form of life, which describes the values, beliefs, traditions, customs, and behaviors that contribute to an athlete’s development. Although a form of life can have a powerful influence on athlete development, research exploring this relationship is limited. In this article we explore the form of life in British rugby league football player development contexts to clarify how social, cultural, and historical constraints influence the development of rugby league players in the United Kingdom. Twenty-four coaches were interviewed through individual semi-structured interviews to collect the data. Findings show how forms of life in rugby league player development pathways are established and maintained by the complex interactions between the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem that shape and guide the development of players. We recommend that player development pathways in sport underpin practice with a theoretical framework of the learning process to protect athletes from social, cultural, and historical constraints that are not conducive to their development.

Concussive convulsion and unilateral pontine lesion in an amateur Rugby league player

Concussive convulsion and unilateral pontine lesion in an amateur Rugby league player

Vision and Visual History in Elite/Near-Elite-Level Cricketers and Rugby-League Players

BackgroundThe importance of optimal and/or superior vision for participation in high-level sports remains the subject of considerable clinical research interest. Here, we examine the vision and visual history of elite/near-elite cricketers and rugby-league players.MethodsStereoacuity (TNO), colour vision, and distance (with/without pinhole) and near visual acuity (VA) were measured in two cricket squads (elite/international-level, female, n = 16; near-elite, male, n = 23) and one professional rugby-league squad (male, n = 20). Refractive error was determined, and details of any correction worn and visual history were recorded.ResultsOverall, 63% had their last eye examination within 2 years. However, some had not had an eye examination for 5 years or had never had one (near-elite cricketers 30%; rugby-league players 15%; elite cricketers 6%). Comparing our results for all participants to published data for young, optimally corrected, non-sporting adults, distance VA was ~ 1 line of letters worse than expected. Adopting α = 0.01, the deficit in distance VA was significant, but only for elite cricketers (p < 0.001) (near-elite cricketers, p = 0.02; rugby-league players, p = 0.03). Near VA did not differ between subgroups or relative to published norms for young adults (p > 0.02 for all comparisons). On average, near stereoacuity was better than in young adults, but only in elite cricketers (p < 0.001; p = 0.03, near-elite cricketers; p = 0.47, rugby-league players). On-field visual issues were present in 27% of participants and mostly (in 75% of cases) comprised uncorrected ametropia. Some cricketers (near-elite 17.4%; elite 38%) wore refractive correction during play, but no rugby-league player did. Some individuals with prescribed correction choose not to wear it when playing.ConclusionsAside from near stereoacuity in elite cricketers, the basic visual abilities we measured were not better than equivalent, published data for optimally corrected adults; 20–25% exhibited sub-optimal vision, suggesting that the clearest possible vision might not be critical for participation at the highest levels in the sports of cricket or rugby league. Although vision could be improved in a sizeable proportion of our sample, the impact of correcting these, mostly subtle, refractive anomalies on playing performance is unknown.

“Our Fans Deserve Better”

When rugby league star Blake Ferguson was arrested and charged with indecent assault in June 2013, for squeezing the vagina of a woman at a Cronulla night spot, the story made headlines around the country. It was the first sexual crime involving a National Rugby League (NRL) player to be reported since Brett Stewart was acquitted of sexual assault in 2010, and reporting of previous cases focused largely on footballers’ attitudes towards women, women’s behaviour towards footballers, and use of alcohol. Using mixed methods discourse analysis, this article shows that the first 2 weeks of print media reporting created a frame for the case that had nothing to do with sexual crime, attitudes towards women, or gender relations. Although Ferguson had a history of inappropriate behaviour towards women, and alcohol abuse, the alcohol frame was almost unanimously chosen, marginalising the sexual crime and Ferguson’s actual victim. In contrast to reporting of previous cases, the focus was overwhelmingly on the impact on Ferguson’s career, his well-being and the game (including teammates, fans, and the NRL). The primacy of sport, and use of language to represent the case, impedes serious consideration of problematic attitudes towards women and the seriousness of sexual crime.

Arthroscopic Surgical Technique for an Acute Talar Dome Osteochondral Lesion in a Professional Rugby League Player

Talar osteochondral lesions represent challenging clinical entities, particularly in high-demand athletes. Surgical treatment of large lesions often requires a 2-step procedure, or the use of osteotomy in the case of autologous osteochondral transfer, which can delay return to sport. A professional rugby league player underwent surgery for a complex injury to the ankle. A talar osteochondral lesion with a maximal diameter of 15 mm was treated in an arthroscopic fashion using the cartilage taken from the completely displaced osteochondral fragment. Cartilage was cut into chips and combined with bone graft product containing platelet-derived growth factor and a porous collagen scaffold. Autologous cartilage was then reimplanted arthroscopically. The patient was allowed full ankle motion from 2 weeks postoperatively, and weightbearing was commenced at 6 weeks. Follow-up imaging and functional outcomes, including return to sport, were assessed at regular intervals. The patient was able to return to professional rugby league by 23 weeks postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging at 16 months postoperatively showed restoration of the subchondral plate and osseous infill. At final follow-up, the patient remained pain free and was playing at preinjury level. This report describes good outcomes using a novel, 1-step cartilage repair technique to treat a large talar osteochondral lesion in a professional athlete. Level V: Expert opinion.

The Todd Carney “bubbling” social media scandal

ABSTRACTIn June 2014, Australian rugby league player Todd Carney had his contract cancelled with the Cronulla Sharks and received a lifetime ban from the National Rugby League after a photo in which he appears to drink his own urine in a public restroom went viral on social media. This article performs a critical analysis of the image at the centre of the Todd Carney bubbling scandal, as well as discourse surrounding it—on two contrasting forums, SharksForever and JustUsBoys. The analysis uncovers various insights into this particular image and the unspoken codes and unseen homoerotic rituals and bonding boy cultures of Australian team sportsmen and their “mates.” The argument is made that the image itself, along with its widespread publication on social media and construction through discourse, points to the limits of “proper” masculinity and, ultimately, perversion of the expectations placed on league males as heterosexual hero icons.

The State of Mind Boot Room: Reducing social isolation and promoting mental fitness

State of Mind Sport educate the public to increase awareness of mental ill-health, tackle stigma and build mental fitness using the power of rugby league and sport. State of Mind have delivered education sessions to over 7000 people since 2011 following the death of a former international rugby league player who took his own life. The ‘Boot Room’ pilot project used the power of classic rugby league games to attract men to a mental fitness session, and then used the game to provide subtle mental fitness messages. The project aimed to reduce social isolation and signpost people to support. Evaluation revealed levels of depressed mood among those who attended. Results showed 47 different people attended four sessions and the total attendance was 62 (including repeat attenders). Seven people indicated depressed mood and then accessed local support services, and a number of those attending requested to attend further sessions and to organise the next project. Feedback has been positive from those who attended.

Coaching the Coaches: Coping Effectiveness Training for Super League Academy Managers

Attempting to make the transition from an academy to a first team rugby league player has the potential to be stressful. These athletes could potentially experience stressors associated with playing for their academy side, loan team, or even first team. The aim of this article is to provide a summary of a presentation given to Super League academy directors to illustrate how sport psychologists can provide coping effectiveness training in the form of a one-off presentation to coaches. Elements of the presentation and a rationale for the inclusion of content are explained.

First Club Location and Relative Age as Influences on Being a Professional Australian Rugby League Player

Bio-ecological systems theory suggests athlete development and success occurs via a complex inter-play of factors nested between and within individual, social context, and broader socio-cultural environments. On these predications, this study examined whether ‘first club location’ and ‘relative age’ independently and interactively affected the likelihood of becoming a professional Rugby League player. Data on 1509 Australian Rugby League professionals who played between 1998–2010 were obtained. Compared to population distributions, Chi-square and odds ratio analyses revealed a significant over-representation of players initiating their participation in small communities (i.e., &lt; 20,000 residents), along with a contrasting under-representation from cities (i.e., &gt; 1,000,000 residents). Professional players were also more likely to be relatively older (Q1 v Q4 OR = 1.80; CI = 1.47–2.21). A log-linear interactional analysis revealed no notable main trend ( p &lt; .07). However, the specific odds of a professional player being relatively older were reduced (OR = 0.68, CI = 0.50–0.92) when their first Rugby League club was in a small community (i.e., &lt; 20,000 residents). Results highlight how characteristics of the social environment can potentially influence long-term patterns of athlete development and attainment in Australian Rugby League.

Determining return-to-sport status with a multi-component assessment strategy: A case study in rugby

BackgroundThe effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes are often distorted by the athlete's desire to return and can result in injury recurrence. Athletic assessments allow for objective and reliable measurements to track rehabilitation progress. This case study used a multi-component assessment strategy to assess a rugby player's lower-extremity strength and symmetry as a primary determinate of their return-to-sport status. Case descriptionA professional rugby league player was assessed for lower-extremity isokinetic strength and sprint kinetics pre- and 10-weeks post-rehabilitation programme following two consecutive knee injuries involving surgical intervention. OutcomesPre-testing analysis showed clinical and functional strength deficits in the injured leg as high as 34% compared to the non-injured leg. Pre- to post-testing showed: increases in peak torque (49%) and decreased asymmetries by 50%; unilateral horizontal force increased (injured: 50%, non-injured: 19%) during sprinting; force production asymmetries decreased up to 18%. DiscussionThe rugby player showed clinical and functional strength deficiencies return to normal ranges following a rehabilitation programme. A return-to-sport decision was made by the athlete's supporting health team based on the sizeable asymmetry decreases and return-to-normative ranges for knee and hip strength and sprint kinetics. The athlete returned to the 2013 National Rugby League season without any major injuries.