Senior Rugby League Players Research Articles

Differences in the vertical and horizontal force-velocity profile between academy and senior professional rugby league players, and the implications for strength and speed training.

This study compared the vertical and horizontal force-velocity (FV) profile of academy and senior rugby league players. Nineteen senior and twenty academy players from one professional club participated in this study. The vertical FV profile was determined using a series of loaded squat jumps (0.4 to 80 kg) with jump height recorded. The horizontal FV profile involved a 30-m over-ground sprint with split times recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 m. Theoretical maximal force (F<inf>0</inf>), velocity (V<inf>0</inf>) and power (P<inf>max</inf>), optimal F<inf>0</inf> and V<inf>0</inf>, and activity specific variables (e.g., vertical FV imbalance) were determined. Absolute F<inf>0</inf> and P<inf>max</inf> from the vertical and horizontal profile were moderately different between groups (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.64-1.20, P<0.001-0.026), whilst for V<inf>0</inf>, differences were small (SMD=0.33-0.41, P=0.149-0.283). Differences in relative F<inf>0</inf>, P<inf>max</inf> and optimal F<inf>0</inf> during both assessments were trivial to moderate (SMD=0.03-0.82, P=0.021-0.907). These results demonstrate senior and academy players present with different FV profiles and highlight some potential developmental opportunities for senior and academy rugby league players that sport scientists, strength and conditioning and rugby coaches can implement when designing programmes and considering long-term athlete development.

Countermovement Jump Standards in Rugby League: What is a "Good" Performance?

McMahon, JJ, Lake, JP, Dos'Santos, T, Jones, PA, Thomasson, ML, and Comfort, P. Countermovement jump standards in rugby league: what is a "good" performance? J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1691-1698, 2022-The countermovement jump (CMJ) is considered an important test in rugby league, and the force platform is the recommended tool for assessing CMJ performance in this cohort. Because of inconsistent methods applied across previous studies, there is currently a lack of understanding of what constitutes a "good" CMJ performance, with respect to the typical CMJ metrics that are reported for rugby league players. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to produce a scale of reference values for the jump height (JH), reactive strength index modified (RSImod), and mean (PPmean) and peak (PPpeak) propulsion power (relative to body mass) for top-level senior rugby league players competing in the global "forward" and "back" positional groups. One hundred four players (55 forwards and 49 backs) from the top 2 tiers of English rugby league performed 3 CMJs on a force platform at the beginning of pre-season training. The JH, RSImod, PPmean, and PPpeak were calculated using criterion methods, and a scale of norm-referenced values (percentiles) was produced for each positional group. The backs outperformed the forwards for each CMJ metric reported, thus supporting the production of position-specific norm-referenced values. When each positional group was separated into quartile subgroups, the respective JH, RSImod, PPmean, and PPpeak values were mostly largely and significantly different both within and between positions. The presented scale of reference values can, therefore, be used to determine the performance standards of rugby league forwards and backs with respect to the most commonly reported CMJ-derived variables for this cohort.

Senior and Junior Rugby League Players Improve Lower-Body Strength and Power Differently During a Rugby League Season.

Wade, JA, Fuller, JT, Devlin, PJ, and Doyle, TLA. Senior and junior rugby league players improve lower-body strength and power differently during a rugby league season. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1367-1372, 2022-This investigation evaluated lower-body strength and power changes across a rugby league season in elite junior and senior athletes. Twenty-five senior and 20 junior rugby league players performed an isometric midthigh pull and countermovement jump at 3 time points in a National Rugby League training season (mid-preseason, end-preseason, and in-season). Linear fixed-effects models were used to compare isometric midthigh pull force and countermovement jump power between player experience groups (senior vs. junior) across the season phases (mid-preseason vs. end-preseason vs. and in-season). Cohen's effect sizes (ES) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for pairwise comparisons. For senior players, absolute and relative strength (ES = 0.38, p < 0.007) and power (ES = 0.64, p < 0.008) increases were observed at end-preseason compared with mid-preseason, but there were no changes in-season (ES = 0.02, p > 0.571). For junior players, strength did not change (ES < 0.01, p > 0.738) and absolute power decreased (ES = 0.29, p < 0.014) at end-preseason compared with mid-preseason; large increases were evident for absolute and relative strength (ES = 1.43, p < 0.001) and power (ES = 0.62, p < 0.001) in-season. This research demonstrates senior and junior rugby league players exhibit unique patterns of improvements in lower-body strength and power across different phases of the season. This highlights the importance for training programs to differ between junior and senior athletes and target different physical qualities for both groups at different times of the season, thus providing guidance for strength and conditioning coaches.

Lower body peak force but not power is an important discriminator of elite senior rugby league players

This investigation determined differences in lower body strength and power between elite junior (17-20 years) and elite senior (open-aged) rugby league athletes. Twenty junior and 25 senior athletes performed an isometric mid-thigh pull, countermovement jump, repeated jump, and broad jump tests during a National Rugby League pre-season. The effects of age (junior vs. senior) and position (adjustables vs. hit-up forwards vs. outside backs) on test results were investigated using a two-way analysis of variance. Cohen’s d effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for pairwise comparisons. Isometric mid-thigh pull absolute peak force was greater for senior players compared to junior players (ES=0.88, p&amp;lt;.05). Countermovement jump absolute peak power was greater for outside backs (ES=1.12) and hit-up forwards (ES=1.23) compared to adjustables (p&amp;lt;.05), greater for senior outside backs compared to junior outside backs (ES=1.53, p&amp;lt;.05), and greater for junior hit-up forwards compared to senior hit-up forwards (ES=1.00, p&amp;lt;.05). This research demonstrated the differences in strength and power of rugby league athletes between playing age and position. Improving lower body strength should be prioritised for athletic development of junior rugby league athletes, with consideration given to requirements across different playing positions.

The Discriminant Validity of a Standardized Testing Battery and Its Ability to Differentiate Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics Between Youth, Academy, and Senior Professional Rugby League Players.

To assess whether a standardized testing battery can differentiate anthropometric and physical qualities between youth, academy, and senior rugby league players and determine the discriminant validity of the battery. A total of 729 rugby league players from multiple clubs in England categorized as youth (n = 235), academy (n = 362), and senior (n = 132) players completed a standardized testing battery that included the assessment of anthropometric and physical characteristics during preseason. Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences and discriminant analysis. Academy players were most likely taller and heavier than youth players (effect size [ES] = 0.64-1.21), with possibly to most likely superior countermovement jump, medicine-ball throw, and prone Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) performance (ES = 0.23-1.00). Senior players were likely to most likely taller and heavier (ES = 0.32-1.84), with possibly to most likely superior 10- and 20-m sprint times, countermovement jump, change of direction, medicine-ball throw, and prone Yo-Yo IR1 than youth and academy players (ES = -0.60 to 2.06). The magnitude of difference appeared to be influenced by playing position. For the most part, the battery possessed discriminant validity with an accuracy of 72.2%. The standardized testing battery differentiates anthropometric and physical qualities of youth, academy, and senior players as a group and, in most instances, within positional groups. Furthermore, the battery is able to discriminate between playing standards with good accuracy and might be included in future assessments and rugby league talent identification.

Differences in the Movement Skills and Physical Qualities of Elite Senior and Academy Rugby League Players.

Ireton, MRE, Till, K, Weaving, D, and Jones, B. Differences in the movement skills and physical qualities of elite senior and academy rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1328-1338, 2019-The aim of this study was to investigate (a) the differences in the movement skills and physical qualities between academy and senior rugby league players and (b) the relationships between movement skills and physical qualities. Fifty-five male rugby league players (Senior, n = 18; Under 19 n = 23; Under 16, n = 14) undertook a physical testing battery, including anthropometric (stature and body mass), strength (isometric midthigh pull; IMTP), and power (countermovement jump; CMJ) qualities, alongside the athletic ability assessment (AAA; comprised of overhead squat, double lunge, single-leg Romanian deadlift, press-up, and pull-up exercises). Univariate analysis of variance demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) differences in body mass, IMTP peak force, CMJ mean power, and AAA movement skills between groups. The greatest observed differences for total movement skills, peak force, and mean power were identified between Under 16 and 19 academy age groups. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients demonstrated a significant moderate (r = 0.31) relationship between peak force and total movement skills. Furthermore, trivial (r = 0.01) and small (r = 0.13; r = 0.22) relationships were observed between power qualities and total movement skills. These findings highlight that both movement skills and physical qualities differentiate between academy age groups, and provides comparative data for English senior and academy rugby league players.

Assessment of body composition in junior representative and first grade rugby league players using dual x-ray absorptiometry

ABSTRACTObjectives: Body composition is important to rugby league coaches because, in concert with other factors such as muscle and tendon properties and neurophysiology, composition values provide a general indication of strength and power and an ability to absorb high impacts. We compared whole-body and regional body composition values of junior representative (under 16 years, 18 years) and senior professional (1st grade) National Rugby league (NRL) players using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA).Methods: One hundred and forty-two junior representative and senior 1st grade rugby league players completed a whole-body DXA scan. Juniors comprised U/16 (mean age 15.9 ± 0.8 years, n = 25), and U/18 (17.9 ± 0.6 years, n = 21) state-level representative players while 1st grade players (25.3 ± 2.3 years, n = 96) were drawn from three NRL clubs.Results: Junior representative players were lighter in body mass and shorter in stature compared to 1st grade players. Despite greater lean tissue mass (LTM) in 1st grade players, there were no between-group differences in fat mass (FM) at whole-body or regional sites.Conclusions: When comparing body composition values between junior representative players to 1st grade players’ results show that senior players have greater LTM but do not differ in FM relative to junior players. Findings suggest that junior training programs should emphasise developmentally-appropriate resistance training with a continuation of current practices to maintain FM.

Six-year body composition change in male elite senior rugby league players

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the change in body composition and bone mineral content (BMC) of senior rugby league (RL) players between 2008 and 2014. Twelve male professional RL players (age, 24.6 ± 4.0 years; stature, 183.4 ± 8.4 cm) received a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan during preseason in 2008 and 2014. Between 2008 and 2014, very likely increases in leg lean mass (LM), total trunk and leg BMC, and a likely increase in arm BMC and possible increases in body mass (BM), total and trunk fat mass (FM), and total, trunk and arm LM were observed. Unlikely decreases and unclear changes in leg and arm FM were also found. Large negative correlations were observed between age and BM (r = −0.72), LM (r = −0.70), FM (r = −0.61) and BMC (r = −0.84) change. Three participants (19.1 ± 1.6 years) increased LM by 7.0–9.3 kg. Younger players had the largest increases in LM during this period, although an older player (30-year old) still increased LM. Differences in body composition change were also observed for participants of the same age, thus contextual factors should be considered. This study demonstrates the individuality of body composition changes in senior professional rugby players, while considering the potential change in young athletes.

Countermovement-Jump-Phase Characteristics of Senior and Academy Rugby League Players.

Gross measures of countermovement-jump (CMJ) performance are commonly used to track maturational changes in neuromuscular function in rugby league (RL). The purpose of this study was to conduct both a gross and a more detailed temporal-phase analysis of the CMJ performances of senior and academy RL players, to provide greater insight into how neuromuscular function differs between these groups. Twenty senior and 14 academy (under-19) male RL players performed 3 maximal-effort CMJs on a force platform, with forward dynamics subsequently employed to allow gross performance measures and entire kinetic- and kinematic-time curves to be compared between groups. Jump height (JH), reactive strength index modified, concentric displacement, and relative concentric impulse (C-IMP) were the only gross measures that were greater for senior players (d = 0.58-0.91) than for academy players. The relative force- and displacement-time curves were similar between groups, but the relative power- and velocity-time curves were greater (d = 0.59-0.97) for the senior players at 94-96% and 89-100% of the total movement time, respectively. The CMJ distinguished between senior and academy RL players, with seniors demonstrating greater JH through applying a larger C-IMP and thus achieving greater velocity throughout the majority of the concentric phase and at takeoff. Therefore, academy RL players should train to improve triple (ie, ankle, knee, and hip) extension velocity during the CMJ to bring their JH scores in line with those attained by senior players.

Three-Compartment Body Composition in Academy and Senior Rugby League Players.

To compare the body size and 3-compartment body composition between academy and senior professional rugby league players using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Academy (age 18.1 ± 1.1 y, n = 34) and senior (age 26.2 ± 4.6 y, n = 63) rugby league players received 1 total-body DXA scan. Height, body mass, and body-fat percentage alongside total and regional fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content (BMC) were compared. Independent t tests with Cohen d effect sizes and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), controlling for height and body mass, with partial eta-squared (η2) effect sizes, were used to compare total and regional body composition. Senior players were taller (183.2 ± 5.8 vs 179.2 ± 5.7 cm, P = .001, d = 0.70) and heavier (96.5 ± 9.3 vs 86.5 ± 9.0 kg, P < .001, d = 1.09) with lower body-fat percentage (16.3 ± 3.7 vs 18.0 ± 3.7%, P = .032, d = 0.46) than academy players. MANCOVA identified significant overall main effects for total and regional body composition between academy and senior players. Senior players had lower total fat mass (P < .001, η2 = 0.15), greater total lean mass (P < .001, η2 = 0.14), and greater total BMC (P = .001, η2 = 0.12) than academy players. For regional sites, academy players had significantly greater fat mass at the legs (P < .001, η2 = 0.29) than senior players. The lower age, height, body mass, and BMC of academy players suggest that these players are still developing musculoskeletal characteristics. Gradual increases in lean mass and BMC while controlling fat mass is an important consideration for practitioners working with academy rugby league players, especially in the lower body.

The King–Devick test was useful in management of concussion in amateur rugby union and rugby league in New Zealand

AimTo use the King–Devick (K–D) test in senior amateur rugby union and rugby league players over a domestic competition season to see if it could identify witnessed and unwitnessed episodes of concussion that occurred from participation in competition matches over three years. MethodsA prospective observational cohort study was conducted on a club level senior amateur rugby union team (n=36 players in 2012 and 35 players in 2013) and a rugby league team (n=33 players in 2014) during competition seasons in New Zealand. All 104 players completed two trials 10min apart of the K–D at the beginning of their competition season. Concussions (witnessed or unwitnessed) were only recorded if they were formally diagnosed by a health practitioner. ResultsA total of 52 (8 witnessed; 44 unwitnessed) concussive events were identified over the duration of the study resulting in a concussion injury incidence of 44 (95% CI: 32 to 56) per 1000 match participation hours. There was a six-fold difference between witnessed and unwitnessed concussions recorded. There were observable learning effects observed between the first and the second K–D test baseline testing (50 vs. 45s; z=−8.81; p<0.001). For every 1 point reduction in each of the post-injury SAC components there was a corresponding increase (worsening) of K–D test times post-match for changes in orientation (2.9s), immediate memory (1.8s) concentration (2.8s), delayed recall (2.0s) and SAC total score (1.7s). DiscussionThe rate of undetected concussion was higher than detected concussions by using the K–D test routinely following matches. Worsening of the K–D test post-match was associated with reduction in components of the SAC. The appeal of the K–D test is in the rapid, easy manner of its administration and the reliable, objective results it provides to the administrator. The K–D test helped identify cognitive impairment in players without clinically observable symptoms.

Lower-Extremity Isokinetic Strength Profiling in Professional Rugby League and Rugby Union

While several studies have documented isokinetic knee strength in junior and senior rugby league players, investigations of isokinetic knee and hip strength in professional rugby union players are limited. The purpose of this study was to provide lower-extremity strength profiles and compare isokinetic knee and hip strength of professional rugby league and rugby union players. 32 professional rugby league and 25 professional rugby union players. Cross-sectional analysis. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to evaluate peak torque and strength ratios of the dominant and nondominant legs during seated knee-extension/ flexion and supine hip-extension/flexion actions at 60°/s. Forwards from both codes were taller and heavier and had a higher body-mass index than the backs of each code. Rugby union forwards produced significantly (P < .05) greater peak torque during knee flexion in the dominant and nondominant legs (ES = 1.81 and 2.02) compared with rugby league forwards. Rugby league backs produced significantly greater hip-extension peak torque in the dominant and nondominant legs (ES = 0.83 and 0.77) compared with rugby union backs. There were no significant differences in hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios between code, position, or leg. Rugby union forwards and backs produced significantly greater knee-flexion-to-hip-extension ratios in the dominant and nondominant legs (ES = 1.49-2.26) than rugby union players. It seems that the joint torque profiles of players from rugby league and union codes differ, which may be attributed to the different demands of each code.

Influence of Field Size on the Physiological and Skill Demands of Small-Sided Games in Junior and Senior Rugby League Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of changes in field size on the physiological and skill demands of small-sided games in elite junior and senior rugby league players. Sixteen elite senior rugby league players ([mean ± SE] age, 23.6 ± 0.5 years) and 16 elite junior rugby league players ([mean ± SE] age, 17.3 ± 0.3 years) participated in this study. On day 1, 2 teams played an 8-minute small-sided game on a small field (10-m width × 40-m length), whereas the remaining 2 teams played the small-sided game on a larger sized field (40-m width × 70-m length). On day 2, the groups were crossed over. Movement was recorded by a global positioning system unit sampling at 5 Hz. Games were filmed to count the number of possessions and the number and quality of disposals. The games played on a larger field resulted in a greater (p < 0.05) total distance covered, and distances covered in moderate, high, and very-high velocity movement intensities. Senior players covered more distance at moderate, high, and very-high intensities, and less distance at low and very-low intensities during small-sided games than junior players. Although increasing field size had no significant influence (p > 0.05) over the duration of recovery periods for junior players, larger field size significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the amount of short-, moderate-, and long-duration recovery periods in senior players. No significant between-group differences (p > 0.05) were detected for games played on a small or large field for the number or quality of skill involvements. These results suggest that increases in field size serve to increase the physiological demands of small-sided games but have minimal influence over the volume or quality of skill executions in elite rugby league players.

Match and Training Injuries in Rugby League

Rugby league is an international collision sport played by junior, amateur, semiprofessional and professional players. The game requires participants to be involved in physically demanding activities such as running, tackling, passing and sprinting, and musculoskeletal injuries are common. A review of injuries in junior and senior rugby league players published in Sports Medicine in 2004 reported that injuries to the head and neck and muscular injuries were common in senior rugby league players, while fractures and injuries to the knee were common in junior players. This current review updates the descriptive data on rugby league epidemiology and adds information for semiprofessional, amateur and junior levels of participation in both match and training environments using studies identified through searches of PubMed, CINHAL, Ovid, MEDLINE, SCOPUS and SportDiscus databases. This review also discusses the issues surrounding the definitions of injury exposure, injury rate, injury severity and classification of injury site and type for rugby league injuries. Studies on the incidence of injuries in rugby league have suffered from inconsistencies in the injury definitions utilized. Some studies on rugby league injuries have utilized a criterion of a missed matchas an injury definition, total injury incidences or a combination of both time-loss and non-time-loss injuries, while other studies have incorporated a medical treatment injury definition. Efforts to establish a standard definition for rugby league injuries have been difficult, especially as some researchers were not in favour of a definition that was all-encompassing and enabled non-time-loss injuries to be recorded. A definition of rugby league injury has been suggested based on agreement by a group of international researchers. The majority of injuries occur in the match environment, with rates typically increasing as the playing level increases. However, professional level injury rates were reportedly less than semiprofessional participation. Only a few studies have reported training injuries in rugby league, where injury rates were reported to be less than match injuries. Approximately 16-30% of all rugby league injuries have been reported as severe, which places demands upon other team members and, if the player returns to playing too early, places them at an increased risk of further injuries. Early research in rugby league identified that ligament and joint injuries were the common injuries, occurring primarily to the knee. More recently, studies have shown a change in anatomical injury sites at all levels of participation. Although the lower limb was the frequent injury region reported previously, the shoulder has now been reported to be the most common injury site. Changes in injury site and type could be used to prompt further research and development of injury reduction programmes to readdress the issue of injuries that occur as a result of participation in rugby league activities. Further research is warranted at all participation levels of rugby league in both the match and training environments to confirm the strongest risk factors for injury.

Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior elite and sub-elite rugby league players, with special reference to starters and non-starters

While several studies have documented the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of senior rugby league players, investigations of the physical qualities of junior rugby league players are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical qualities of junior rugby league players competing at the elite and sub-elite level, and determine if pre-season fitness measures were significantly different for the players selected to play in the first game of the season (i.e. starters) compared to the players not selected (i.e. non-starters). Thirty-six junior sub-elite and 28 junior elite rugby league players participated in this study. All sub-elite players were registered with the same junior recreational rugby league club, while elite players were members of a National Rugby League club junior development program. Subjects underwent measurements of anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of seven skinfolds), speed (10m, 20m, and 40m sprint), change of direction speed (505 test), estimated lower body power (vertical jump), and estimated maximal aerobic power (multi-stage fitness test) at the beginning of the competitive season. Elite players had better developed speed, change of direction speed, vertical jump, and maximal aerobic power than sub-elite players. Elite starters were taller and heavier than non-starters, while sub-elite starters were taller and had greater change of direction speed than non-starters. A high estimated maximal aerobic power was a common discriminator between starters and non-starters for both elite and sub-elite competitors. These findings demonstrate that some physical qualities can discriminate starters and non-starters in elite and sub-elite junior rugby league teams.

Incidence of injury in junior rugby league players over four competitive seasons

While several studies have documented the incidence of injury in senior rugby league players, information on the injury rates of junior rugby league players is limited. In addition, all of the injury surveillance studies performed on junior rugby league players have been performed over a limited time frame (typically one season). The purpose of this study was to document the incidence of injury in junior rugby league players over four competitive seasons. Injury data were collected from 84 matches. An injury was defined as one that occurred in a match and resulted in the player missing a subsequent match. The overall incidence of injury was 56.8 (95% CI, 42.6-70.9) per 1000 playing hours. The majority of injuries were sustained to the shoulder (15.6 [95% CI, 8.2-23.0] per 1000 playing hours). Sprains were the most common type of injury (24.7 [95% CI, 15.4-34.1] per 1000 playing hours). Injuries were most commonly sustained while being tackled (19.2 [95% CI, 11.0-27.5] per 1000 playing hours) and while tackling (10.1 [95% CI, 4.1-16.0] per 1000 playing hours). While there was a tendency towards differing injury rates over the four competitive seasons (chi(2)=6.3, d.f.=3), the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.10). These findings demonstrate that the incidence of junior rugby league injuries is similar to previously reported for senior competitors. A long-term collaborative effort to reduce the incidence of injury in junior rugby league players is warranted.

Performance Changes Following a Field Conditioning Program in Junior and Senior Rugby League Players

This study investigated training loads, injury rates, and physical performance changes associated with a field conditioning program in junior and senior rugby league players. Thirty-six junior (16.9 [95% confidence interval: 16.7-17.1] years) and 41 senior (25.5 [23.6- 27.3] years) rugby league players participated in a 14-week preseason training program that included 2 field training sessions each week. Subjects performed measurements of standard anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of 7 skinfolds), muscular power (vertical jump), speed (10-, 20-, and 40-m sprint), agility (L run), and maximal aerobic power (multistage fitness test) before and after training. Improvements in agility, muscular power, and maximal aerobic power were observed in both the junior and senior players following training; however, the improvement in maximal aerobic power and muscular power were greatest in the junior players. Training loads and injury rates were higher in the senior players. These findings demonstrate that junior and senior rugby league players adapt differently to a given training stimulus and that training programs should be modified to accommodate differences in training age.

Incidence of injury in junior and senior rugby league players.

Rugby league is an international collision sport played at junior, amateur, semi-professional and professional levels. Due to the high numbers of physical collisions and tackles, musculoskeletal injuries are common. A large percentage of injuries result in long-term employment and study limitations, medical costs and loss of income. Review articles addressing the applied physiology of rugby league and common rugby league injuries have been published. However, both of these review articles have focused on the professional rugby league player. This review addresses the extent of the injury problem in rugby league in all levels of competition (i.e. junior, amateur, semi-professional and professional). The incidence of rugby league injuries typically increases as the playing level is increased. The majority of studies have shown that the head and neck is the most common site of match injuries in senior rugby league players, while knee injuries are the most common site of injury in junior rugby league players. Muscular injuries are the most common type of injury sustained by senior rugby league players, while junior rugby league players more commonly sustain fractures. Injuries are most commonly sustained in tackles, by the tackled player. Thigh and calf strains are the most common injuries sustained during rugby league training, while overexertion is the most common cause of training injuries. Player fatigue may influence the incidence of injury, with most sub-elite (amateur and semi-professional) rugby league injuries occurring in the second half of matches or the latter stages of training sessions. The majority of training injuries occur in the early stages of the season, while match injuries occur in the latter stages of the season, suggesting that changes in training and playing intensity may influence the incidence of injury in rugby league. Injury prevention studies are required to reduce the incidence, severity and cost of rugby league injuries. These injury prevention strategies could include coaching on defensive skills, correct tackling technique, correct falling technique and methods to minimise the absorption of impact forces in tackles. Game-specific attacking and defensive drills practised before and during fatigue may also encourage players to make appropriate decisions under fatigued conditions and apply learnt skills during the pressure of competitive matches. Further studies investigating risk factors for injury in junior and senior rugby league players, injuries sustained by specific playing positions and the influence of injuries on playing performance are warranted.

A physiological profile of sub-elite junior and senior rugby league players

A physiological profile of sub-elite junior and senior rugby league players

Physiological characteristics of junior and senior rugby league players

Objectives: To investigate the physiological characteristics of subelite junior and senior rugby league players and establish performance standards for these athletes.Methods: A total of 159 junior (under 16, 15, 14,...