An investigation into performance monitoring in women’s elite rugby sevens, with consideration towards the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Test and the GPS-Derived Metric High Metabolic Load Distance (HMLD)

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of performance monitoring strategies in elite women’s rugby sevens, by evaluating the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test and the GPS-derived metric, High Metabolic Load Distance (HMLD). While GPS tracking is widely used to quantify athlete workload, HMLD remains underexplored in rugby sevens, despite its potential to reflect training and match intensity. Seventeen elite female rugby sevens players (age: 26.4 ± 2.9 years; height: 167.6 ± 5.2 cm; body mass: 70.5 ± 8.9 kg) were monitored across one competitive season. CMJ performance was assessed using the Output Sports V2 Sensor, and GPS data were collected from STATSports Apex Pro technology. Backs outperformed forwards in the CMJ (40.78 cm vs. 38.02 cm) and accumulated greater HMLD in both training (560.68 m vs. 470.17 m) and competition (263.85 m vs. 216.64 m). Significant positional differences were observed across GPS metrics. HMLD correlated most strongly with total distance (r = 0.82), suggesting that in rugby sevens, HMLD behaves more as a volume metric, rather than a measure of intensity. Current speed thresholds may not adequately capture the sport’s intensity, highlighting the need for sport-specific interpretations. CMJ performance improved over the season, though not linearly, suggesting varying levels of fatigue and physiological adaptation. HMLD volumes reflect the fluctuations and variability in training and competitive demand across a rugby sevens season. This study highlights the value of integrating CMJ testing with monitoring of HMLD across a competitive season in elite women’s rugby sevens. The CMJ provides insight into neuromuscular function and lower-body power, whilst HMLD reflects the physical demands of training and competition. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of athlete readiness. This research addresses the gap in the literature surrounding the application and interpretation of HMLD in women’s rugby sevens, and the disparity in research in the women’s game. These results contribute new insight into the use of HMLD in an elite rugby sevens environment, and emphasise that alongside CMJ testing, HMLD monitoring can bring significant value to an elite training programme. The metric has the potential to be individualised to athletes, for the most effective approaches in performance optimisation, injury prevention and return-to-play strategies