Reliability and Usefulness of Linear Sprint Testing in Adolescent Rugby Union and League Players.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate; 1) whether there were differences in sprint times at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 m between rugby union and rugby league players; 2) determine the reliability and usefulness of linear sprint testing in adolescent rugby players. Data were collected on 28 rugby union and league academy players over two testing sessions, with three day's rest between sessions. Rugby league players were faster at 5 m than rugby union players, with further difference unclear. Sprint time at 10, 20, 30 and 40 m were all reliable (CV = 3.1%, 1.8%, 2.0% and 1.3%) but greater than the smallest worthwhile change (SWC (0.2 x between-subject SD)), rating the test as marginal for usefulness. While the test was incapable of detecting the SWC we recommend that practitioners and researchers use Hopkins' proposed method (22); whereby plotting the change score of the individual at each split (± TE expressed as a CV) against the SWC, and visually inspecting whether the TE crosses into the SWC is capable of identifying whether a change is both real (greater than the noise of the test, i.e., >TE) and of practical significance (>SWC). Researchers and practitioners can use the TE and SWC from the present study to assess changes in performance of adolescent rugby players when using single beam timing gates

Validity of Daily and Weekly Self-Reported Training Load Measures in Adolescent Athletes

The primary aim of the study was to assess the level of agreement between the criterion session-rating of perceived exertion (sRPE30min) and a practical measure of a self-reported web-based training load questionnaire 24-hours post-training (sRPE24h) in adolescent athletes. The secondary aim was to assess the agreement between weekly summated sRPE24h values (ƩsRPE24h) and a weekly web-based training diary (sRPEweekly) for all field-based training accumulated on a subsequent training week. Thirty-six male adolescent rugby players (age 16.7 ± 0.5 years) were recruited from a regional academy. sRPE30min measures were recorded 30-minutes following a typical field-based training session. Participants then completed the sRPE24h via a web-based training load questionnaire 24-hours post-training, reporting both session duration and intensity. In addition, on a subsequent week, participants completed the sRPE24h daily and then completed the sRPEweekly at the end of the week, using the same web-based platform, to recall all field-based training session durations and intensities over those seven days. Biases were trivial between sRPE30min and sRPE24h for sRPE (0.3% [-0.9 to 1.5]), with nearly perfect correlations (0.99 [0.98 to 0.99), and small typical error of the estimate (TEE; 4.3% [3.6 to 5.4]). Biases were trivial between ƩsRPE24h and sRPEweekly for sRPE (5.9% [-2.1 to 14.2]), with very large correlations (0.87 [0.78 to 0.93]), and moderate TEE 28.5% [23.3 to 36.9]). The results of this study show that sRPE24h is a valid and robust method to quantify training loads in adolescent athletes. However, sRPEweekly was found to have a substantial TEE (29%), limiting practical application

The effects of superset configuration on kinetic, kinematic, and perceived exertion in the barbell bench press.

Training that is efficient and effective is of great importance to an athlete. One method of improving efficiency is by incorporating supersets into resistance training routines. However, the structuring of supersets is still unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of agonist-antagonist (A-A), alternate peripheral (A-P), and similar biomechanical (SB) superset configurations on rate of perceived exertion (RPE), kinetic and kinematic changes during the bench press. 10 subjects performed resistance training protocols in a randomized-crossover design, with magnitude-based inferences assessing changes/differences within and between protocols. Changes in RPE were very likely and almost certainly greater in the A-P and SB protocols when compared with the A-A, while all superset protocols had very likely to almost certain reductions in mean velocity and power from baseline. Reductions in mean velocity and power were almost certainly greater in the SB protocol, with differences between the A-A and A-P protocols being unclear. Decreases in peak force were likely and almost certain in the A-A and SB protocols respectively, with changes in A-P being unclear. Differences between these protocols showed likely greater decreases in SB peak forces when compared to A-A, with all other superset comparisons being unclear. This study demonstrates the importance of exercise selection when incorporating supersets into a training routine. It is suggested that the practitioner uses A-A supersets when aiming to improve training efficiency and minimize reductions in kinetic and kinematic output of the agonist musculature while completing the barbell bench press

We know they train, but what do they do? Implications for coaches working with adolescent rugby union players

Limited information is available regarding the training loads (TLs) of adolescent rugby union players. One-hundred and seventy male players (age 16.1 ± 1.0 years) were recruited from ten teams representing two age categories (under-16 and under-18) and three playing standards (school, club and academy). Global positioning systems, accelerometers, heart rate and session-rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) methods were used to quantify mean session TLs. Session demands differed between age categories and playing standards. Under-18 academy players were exposed to the highest session TLs in terms of s-RPE (236 ± 42 AU), total distance (4176 ± 433 m), high speed running (1270 ± 288 m) and PlayerLoadTM (424 ± 56 AU). Schools players had the lowest session TLs in both respective age categories. Training loads and intensities increased with age and playing standard. Individual monitoring of TL is key to enable coaches to maximise player development and minimise injury risk

Between-Day Reliability and Sensitivity of Common Fatigue Measures in Rugby Players.

This study established the between-day reliability and sensitivity of a countermovement jump (CMJ), plyometric push-up, wellbeing questionnaire and whole blood creatine kinase concentration [CK] in elite male youth rugby union players. The study also established the between-day reliability of 1, 2 or 3 CMJ and plyometric push-up attempts. Twenty-five players completed tests on 2 occasions separated by 5 days (of rest). Between-day typical error (TE), coefficient of variation (CV) and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated for the wellbeing questionnaire, [CK] and CMJ and plyometric push-up metrics (peak/mean power, peak/mean force, height, flight-time and flight-time to contraction-time ratio) for 1 maximal effort or taking the highest score from 2 or 3 maximal efforts. The results from this study would suggest that CMJ mean power (2 or 3 attempts), peak force or mean force, and plyometric push-up mean force (from 2 or 3 attempts) should be used for assessing lower- and upper-body neuromuscular function respectively, due to both their acceptable reliability (CV 5% (7.1% and 26.1% respectively) and poor sensitivity (CV>SCW). The findings from this study can be used when interpreting fatigue markers to make an objective decision about a player's readiness to train or compete

The influence of resistance training experience on the between-day reliability of commonly used strength measures in male youth athletes

The purpose of this study was to determine the between-day reliability of commonly used strength measures in male youth athletes, while considering resistance training experience. Data were collected on 25 male athletes over two testing sessions, with 72 hours rest between, for the 3RM front squat, chin up and bench press. Subjects were initially categorized by resistance training experience (inexperienced; 6-12 months, experienced; >2 years). The assessment of the between-day reliability (coefficient of variation [CV%]) showed the front squat (experienced: 2.90%; inexperienced: 1.90%), chin up (experienced: 1.70%; inexperienced: 1.90%), and bench press (experienced: 4.50%; inexperienced: 2.40%) were all reliable measures of strength in both groups. Comparison between groups for the error of measurement for each exercise showed trivial differences. When both groups were combined, the CV% for the front squat, bench press, and chin up were 2.50%, 1.80%, and 3.70%, respectively. This study provides scientists and practitioners with the between-day reliability reference data to determine real and practical changes for strength in male youth athletes with different resistance training experience. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that 3RM front squat, chin up and bench press are reliable exercises to quantify strength in male youth athletes

The influence of Body Mass on the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test in Rugby Union

Poster presentatio