Preliminary Evidence of Transient Fatigue and Pacing During Interchanges in Rugby League

Author(s)
Waldron, Mark
Highton, Jamie
Daniels, Matthew
Twist, Craig
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
This study aimed to quantify changes in heart rate (HR) and movement speeds in interchanged and whole-match players during 35 elite rugby league performances. Methods: Performances were separated into whole match, interchange bout 1, and interchange bout 2 and further subdivided into match quartiles. Mean percentages of peak HR (%HRpeak) and total and high-intensity running (> 14 km/h) meters per minute (tn/min) were recorded. Results: For whole-match players, a decline in high-intensity tn/min and %HRpeak was observed between successive quartiles (P < .05). High-intensity m/min during interchange 1 also progressively declined, although initial m/min was higher than whole match (24.2 ± 7.9 m/min vs 18.3 ± 4.7 tn/min, P = .018), and %HRpeak did not change over match quartiles (P > .05). During interchange 2, there was a decline in high-intensity m/min from quartile 1 to quartile 3 (18 ± 4.1 vs 13.4 ± 5 m/min, f = .048) before increasing in quartile 4. Quartiles 1 and 2 also showed an increase in %HRpeak (85.2 ± 6.5 vs 87.3 ± 4.2%, P = .022). Conclusions: Replacement players adopted a high initial intensity in their first match quartile before a severe decline thereafter. However, in a second bout, lower exercise intensity at the outset enabled a higher physiological exertion for later periods. These findings inform interchange strategy and conditioning for coaches while also providing preliminary evidence of pacing in team sport.
Citation
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8(2), p. 157-164
ISSN
1555-0273
1555-0265
Link
Publisher
Human Kinetics, Inc
Title
Preliminary Evidence of Transient Fatigue and Pacing During Interchanges in Rugby League
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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