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Match-play profile of elite rugby union, with special reference to repeated high-intensity effort activity (RHIE)

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Abstract

The current investigation aimed to understand the positional profile of repeated high-intensity-effort activity (RHIE) across halves during elite rugby union match-play. Forty elite rugby union players (n = 40) were monitored across match-play during a single season. Player’s locomotor profiles were recorded using wearable microtechnology (GPS; Catapult S5, Australia). Locomotor activity was classified across total distance (m); running distance (m; ≥ 4.4 m s−1); high-speed running (≥ 5.5 m s−1); sprint distance (≥ 7 m s−1); accelerations (≥ 2 m s−2); decelerations (≤ − 2 m s−2); and collisions (≥ 4 g). Peak velocity (m s−1); total efforts (n); high-intensity efforts (HIE), repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIE), total number of RHIE bouts (n), maximal number of efforts within a RHIE bout (n) and recovery times between RHIE (s) were also recorded across match-play. Players were shown to complete 164 ± 30 HIE per game. Overall players performed 11 ± 6 RHIE bouts. The mean efforts per RHIE bout was 4 ± 1 with a maximum of 6 ± 2. RHIE positional differences were reported with back-rows completing the most total efforts when compared to all positions within the forwards (ES: 1.33–5.29; moderate–very large). Significant reductions were reported between halves for all running and repeated effort variables. The data highlight the potential consideration that RHIE should be given by coaches when preparing players for rugby union match-play. An understanding of the positional differences in RHIE can assist coaches in designing training drills that can expose players to these match-play requirements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Munster Rugby, High Performance Unit, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland

    Adam Sheehan & Aled Walters

  2. Human Performance Lab, Technological University Dublin, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland

    Adam Sheehan, Shane Malone & Kieran Collins

  3. The Tom Reilly Building, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Shane Malone & Kieran Collins

  4. Leicester Tigers, Oval Park, Wigston Rd Oadby, Leicester, UK

    Aled Walters

  5. Gabbett Performance Solutions, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Tim Gabbett

  6. Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, QLD, Australia

    Tim Gabbett

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  1. Adam Sheehan
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  2. Shane Malone
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  4. Tim Gabbett
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Correspondence to Adam Sheehan.

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Ethical approval and Informed consent

All players provided written consent prior to data collection in line with their professional contract obligations. Additionally medical declaration was obtained from participants in line with the procedures set by the local institutions’ research ethics committee (Technological University Dublin, Tallaght). The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki (1975) for studies involving human subjects.

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Sheehan, A., Malone, S., Walters, A. et al. Match-play profile of elite rugby union, with special reference to repeated high-intensity effort activity (RHIE). Sport Sci Health 18, 947–956 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00879-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00879-9

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