Abstract
Objectives
Rugby union is a high intensity intermittent sport, typically analysed via set time
periods or rolling average methods. This study reports the demands of international
rugby union via global positioning system (GPS) metrics expressed as mean ball in
play (BiP), maximum BiP (max BiP), and whole match outputs.
Design
Single cohort cross sectional study involving 22 international players, categorised
as forwards and backs.
Methods
A total of 88 GPS files from eight international test matches were collected during
2016. An Opta sportscode timeline was integrated into the GPS software to split the
data into BiP periods. Metres per min (m min−1), high metabolic load per min (HML), accelerations per min (Acc), high speed running
per min (HSR), and collisions per min (Coll) were expressed relative to BiP periods
and over the whole match (>60 min).
Results
Whole match metrics were significantly lower than all BiP metrics (p< 0.001). Mean and max BiP HML, (p< 0.01) and HSR (p < 0.05) were significantly higher for backs versus forwards, whereas Coll were significantly
higher for forwards (p< 0.001). In plays lasting 61 s or greater, max BiP m min−1 were higher for backs. Max BiP m min−1, HML, HSR and Coll were all time dependant (p<0.05) showing that both movement metrics and collision demands differ as length of
play continues.
Conclusions
This study uses a novel method of accurately assessing the BiP demands of rugby union.
It also reports typical and maximal demands of international rugby union that can
be used by practitioners and scientists to target training of worst-case scenario’s
equivalent to international intensity. Backs covered greater distances at higher speeds
and demonstrated higher HML, in general play as well as ‘worst case scenarios’; conversely
forwards perform a higher number of collisions.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 03, 2018
Accepted:
February 22,
2018
Received in revised form:
January 21,
2018
Received:
November 16,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
