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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/31849
Title: | Movement Demands of Elite U20 International Rugby Union Players |
Contributor(s): | Cunningham, Daniel (author); Shearer, David A (author); Drawer, Scott (author); Eager, Robin (author); Taylor, Neil (author); Cook, Christian (author) ; Kilduff, Liam P (author) |
Publication Date: | 2016-04-07 |
Open Access: | Yes |
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0153275 |
Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/31849 |
Abstract: | | The purpose of this study was to quantify movement demands of elite international age grade (U20) rugby union players during competitive tournament match play. Forty elite professional players from an U20 international performance squad were monitored using 10Hz global positioning systems (GPS) during 15 international tournament matches during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons. Data on distances, velocities, accelerations, decelerations, high metabolic load (HML) distance and efforts, and number of sprints were derived. Data files from players who played over 60 min (n = 161) were separated firstly into Forwards and Backs, and more specifically into six positional groups; FR-Front Row (prop & hooker), SR-Second Row, BR-Back Row (Flankers & No.8), HB-Half Backs (scrum half & outside half), MF-Midfield (centres), B3 -Back Three (wings & full back) for match analysis. Analysis revealed significant differences between forwards and backs positions. Backs scored higher on all variables measured with the exception of number of moderate accelerations, decelerations (no difference). The centres covered the greatest total distance with the front row covering the least (6.51 ± 0.71 vs 4.97 ± 0.75 km, p < 0.001). The front row also covered the least high speed running (HSR) distance compared to the back three (211.6 ± 112.7 vs 728.4 ± 150.2 m, p < 0.001) who covered the most HSR distance, affirming that backs cover greater distances but forwards have greater contact loads. These findings highlight for the first time differences in the movement characteristics of elite age grade rugby union players specific to positional roles.
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Source of Publication: | PLoS One, 11(4), p. 1-10 |
Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
Place of Publication: | United States of America |
ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 420702 Exercise physiology |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 280103 Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences |
Peer Reviewed: | Yes |
HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
Appears in Collections: | Journal Article School of Science and Technology
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