Search Results (40)

Coach development is typically considered to consist of a complex mix of experiences, including formal, informal and non-formal. Elements of the early research in this area led to the production of a model of long-term coach development (LTCD) over a decade ago, consisting of three core categories of experience: athletic, coaching and education, later published in a number of significant coaching documents. Whilst this model has clearly been of benefit in providing a framework to consider long-term coach development, it can also be considered to have its limitations in focusing on a somewhat narrow coaching context (typically Olympic sports in North America) and lacking currency. This study therefore attempted to consider and update this model to a professional team sport context away from North America by investigating the life stories of head coaches in English rugby league. Data collection consisted of a novel life story approach, whilst analysis utilised elements of constructivist grounded theory. Though supporting elements of the original LTCD model, results here provide an additional category of experience occurring prior to athletic experience, childhood, consisting of a number of sub-themes, alongside several other novel elements with implications for both research and practice. This work points towards a need to further understand coaches’ lifelong developmental journeys across a range of sports and contexts. Full article

Tests assessing physical qualities are regularly used in youth rugby league teams for various functions. However, the utility of such tests is under-explored in this population. In this way, tests are commonly examined in terms of how well they can differentiate performances between groups that are expected to differ and how they relate to outcomes in actual competitive contexts. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the discriminative validity and relationships to match performance metrics of frequently used tests to assess physical qualities in male, adolescent rugby league players. Anthropometric (standing height and body mass) and fitness-related (20 m linear sprint, 505-Agility Test, L-run Test, medicine ball throw, countermovement jump, one-repetition maximum back squat, bench press, and prone row tests, and Multistage Fitness Test) physical qualities were measured using common tests in 42 players (16.1 ± 1.3 years). Test outcomes were compared between players in different age and positional groups for discriminative validity analyses. Relationships between test outcomes and match performance metrics gathered via global positioning system and video analysis were also determined. Compared to younger players (14–15 years), older players (16–18 years) had significantly better fitness-related physical qualities (p < 0.05, d = −1.78–1.66), but similar anthropometric qualities (p > 0.05, d = −0.45–0.20). Significant, moderate correlations (p < 0.05, r = 0.56–0.70) were found between (1) one-repetition maximum (1-RM) back squat and relative (per min) high-speed running distance and maximum velocity in matches; (2) 20-m sprint time and relative total distance; (3) 505-Agility Test time and relative line breaks; and (4) height and relative unsuccessful tackles. Consequently, commonly used fitness-related tests demonstrate discriminative validity in detecting differences between age groups, with standing height and the 1-RM back squat showing promising utility given their associations with key match metrics in adolescent rugby league players. Full article

Over the past decade, participation in female team sports has increased significantly, leading to greater interest in monitoring their training and competition load using wearable technology. Despite this, there is currently no systematic review or meta-analysis that has specifically focused on quantifying and comparing high-speed running (HSR) and sprinting thresholds in female team sports. This systematic review aimed (1) to summarize and describe the evidence on absolute speed thresholds used to classify HSR and sprinting in female team sports and (2) to compare HSR and sprinting thresholds between female team sports. A total of 82 studies were included, encompassing a range of female team sports such as Australian football, basketball, field hockey, soccer, Gaelic football, handball, lacrosse, and different codes of rugby (league, sevens, and union). This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. This review found that to date, there is no consensus on defining high-speed and sprint running thresholds in female team sports, showing considerable variability in the thresholds used to define HSR (ranging from 11.1 to 21.6 km·h⁻¹) and sprinting (from 15.0 to 30.0 km·h⁻¹). Our results showed that the mean velocity for the HSR threshold was 16 km·h⁻¹, although the most frequently used velocity was 18.0 km·h⁻¹. In relation to the sprint threshold, the mean and the mode were similar: 21 km·h⁻¹ and 20.0 km·h⁻¹, respectively. The lack of standardized thresholds highlights the need for personalized approaches when monitoring training loads in female athletes. Despite apparent variability, these findings provide valuable insights for practitioners in designing evidence-based training programs aimed at optimizing high-speed exposure in female team sports. Further research is needed to establish sport-specific and standardized velocity thresholds for women’s team sports. Full article

A stinger is the transient sensory and motor loss of one upper extremity caused by a stretch or compression injury to the brachial plexus or the exiting cervical nerve roots. Athletes from contact sports like American football, rugby, wrestling, and horseback riding are most affected. Given today’s competitive athletic culture and recent advancements in sports medicine, understanding the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of stingers is crucial. Thus, this narrative review highlights current knowledge of pathology, clinical features, diagnostic modalities, radiologic measurements, management, rehabilitation, and return-to-play protocols. Recent and prominent English publications on adult athletes revealed that the brachial plexus upper roots (C5 and C6) are most affected. Stingers accounted for 62.2% of neck injuries in National Football League athletes and affected up to 50.3% of football players. Grading is based on injury severity to the nerves. Most stingers are mild, lasting a few seconds to minutes. Return-to-play protocols remain controversial; however, stingers have promising prognoses and can mostly be resolved with conservative treatment and rehabilitation. Severe injuries require surgical intervention but rarely occur in athletics. In conclusion, many recent developments in the evaluation and treatment of stingers impact current treatment plans, return-to-play decisions, and the future of athletes. Full article

Background: Sprint performance is crucial in rugby, impacting offensive and defensive actions. Despite increasing research on team sports, specific sprint training guidelines for rugby remain limited. This review evaluates the effectiveness of various training methods to improve sprint performance in semi-professional and professional players. Objectives: To identify and assess the most effective training methodologies for improving rugby sprint performance and provide evidence-based recommendations for coaches. Methods: A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus, including studies published before November 2024. Eligible studies focused on Rugby Union, Rugby League, or Rugby Sevens players undergoing resistance-based or sprint-specific training for at least four weeks. Exclusion criteria included amateur players, athletes under 16, or interventions using advanced technologies. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Twenty-six studies involving 644 rugby players were analysed. Training programmes ranged from 4 to 18 weeks (average: 8 weeks) and were categorised into resistance training, small-sided games, and sprint-specific methods. Resistance training combined with plyometrics and agility drills achieved the most significant sprint improvements. Small-sided games enhanced sprint performance by simulating game-like scenarios, while resisted sprint training showed notable results for short-distance acceleration but limited maximum speed gains. Conclusions: Rugby sprint performance improves through periodised training protocols incorporating resistance exercises, plyometrics, and sport-specific drills. Coaches should use small-sided games and resisted sprint training to target short-distance acceleration and agility. Further research should examine the long-term effects of these methods and their influence on match performance. Full article

Several microtechnology devices quantify the external load of team sports using Global Positioning Systems sampling at 5, 10, or 15 Hz. However, for short, explosive actions, such as collisions, these sample rates may be limiting. It is known that very high-frequency sampling is capable of capturing changes in actions over a short period of time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the mean acceleration and entropy values obtained from 100 Hz and 1000 Hz tri-axial accelerometers in tackling actions performed by rugby players. A total of 11 elite adolescent male rugby league players (mean ± SD; age: 18.5 ± 0.5 years; height: 179.5 ± 5.0 cm; body mass: 88.3 ± 13.0 kg) participate in this study. Participants performed tackles (n = 200), which were recorded using two triaxial accelerometers sampling at 100 Hz and 1000 Hz, respectively. The devices were placed together inside the Lycra vests on the players’ backs. The mean acceleration, sample entropy (SampEn), and approximate entropy (ApEn) were analyzed. In mean acceleration, the 1000 Hz accelerometer obtained greater values (p < 0.05). However, SampEn and ApEn were greater with the 100 Hz accelerometer (p < 0.05). A large relationship was observed between the two devices in all the parameters analyzed (R² > 0.5; p < 0.0001). Sampling frequency can affect the quality of the data collected, and a higher sampling frequency potentially allows for the collection of more accurate motion data. A frequency of 1000 Hz may be suitable for recording short and explosive actions. Full article

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pressure training on the performance of semi-professional female rugby league athletes. Methods: Using a within-subjects design, 16 female athletes (19.9 ± 3.4 years) performed a passing accuracy task under three conditions; (1) a control condition; (2) a physiological fatigue condition; and (3) a threat of consequence condition. Passing performance, perceived pressure, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and self-confidence were assessed. Results: A significant main effect of conditions was found for rate of perceived exertion (p < 0.001), self-confidence (p < 0.028), and perceived pressure (p = 0.011). There was no main effect of condition on passing performance. Post hoc comparisons revealed that RPE was significantly higher in the physiological fatigue condition when compared to the control (p = 0.009) and threat of consequence conditions (p < 0.001). Perceived pressure was significantly higher in the threat of consequence condition compared to the control condition (p = 0.037). Conclusions: The main findings of this study are that (1) passing performance was not impacted by pressure training conditions, and (2) threats of consequences are an effective manipulation to generate pressure in female semi-professional rugby league players. These results offer nuanced insights into the impact of pressure generation in training environments for female semi-professional rugby league athletes. Full article

Objectives: The adolescent development period is critical for rugby league athletes, given the physical growth, neuromuscular adaptation, and skill acquisition that occurs. Secondary schools play an important role in the development of adolescent rugby league players; however, players may be selected into rugby league academies and development programs outside of school, as well as participating in additional sports. In turn, the training loads these young athletes accrue and the implications of these loads are currently unknown. Our aim was to quantify the training loads and concomitant changes in physical qualities of schoolboy and adolescent rugby league players during mesocycles within the pre-season and in-season phases. Design: This is a prospective experimental study. Methods: Twenty-one schoolboy rugby league players (16.2 ± 1.3 years) were monitored across separate 4-week mesocycles in the pre-season and in-season. Session frequency, duration, and the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) load were reported for all examples of training and match participation in the school rugby league program, as well as club and representative teams for any sport and personal strength and conditioning. Various physical qualities were assessed before and after each 4-week mesocycle. Results: The sRPE load that accumulated across the 4-week mesocycles was higher in the pre-season than the in-season (8260 ± 2021 arbitrary units [AU] vs. 6148 ± 980 AU, p < 0.001), with non-significant differences in accumulated session frequency and duration between phases. Session frequency, duration, and sRPE load differed (p < 0.05) between some weeks in an inconsistent manner during the pre-season and in-season mesocycles. Regarding physical qualities, improvements (p < 0.05) in the 10 m sprint test, Multistage Fitness Test, medicine ball throw, and 1-repetition maximum back squat and bench press performances were evident across the pre-season mesocycle, with declines (p < 0.05) in the 505-Agility Test, L-run Test, and 1-repetition maximum back squat performances across the in-season mesocycle. Conclusions: These novel training load data show schoolboy rugby league players experience considerable demands that may be suitable in developing several physical qualities during the pre-season but detrimental to maintaining such qualities across the in-season. Full article

Objective: Our aim was to report time-loss match injuries in Portugal’s “Divisão de Honra” (Portuguese first tier) in the 2022/2023 season, focusing on injury incidence, burden, anatomical region, and type, to assess their impact on athletes’ health and availability to play. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted monitoring injuries via an online form filled in by each team’s medical department, categorizing player position, as well as injury type, location, and severity. Incidence and burden were calculated per 1000 player-match-hours. Results: The overall injury incidence was 54.4 injuries per 1000 player-match-hours (95% CI 30.3–96.2). Forwards had higher injury incidence than backs. Lower limbs were the most affected locations—29 injuries/1000 h of exposure (95% CI 13.7–52.0). Sprain/ligaments injuries were the most common type of injury (14.4 injuries/1000 h (95% CI 3.7–30.0), followed by muscle injuries (8.1 injuries/1000 h 95% CI 4.9–11.5). Discussion: Injury incidence was higher than what is reported in amateur competitions and lower than for professionals. Injury severity was similar to that in other studies. Our study suggests a lower injury burden than in other semi-professional and elite leagues. These findings highlight the need for targeted injury prevention strategies in the Portuguese Rugby Union to increase athletes’ availability by decreasing injury incidence and/or burden. Further research with broader participation and training injury data is needed. Full article

The health and well-being of retired rugby union and league players, particularly regarding the long-term effects of concussions, are of major concern. Concussion has been identified as a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in athletes engaged in contact sports. This study aimed to assess differences in specific biomarkers between UK-based retired rugby players with a history of concussion and a non-contact sports group, focusing on biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, ALS, and CTE. We randomly selected a sample of male retired rugby or non-contact sport athletes (n = 56). The mean age was 41.84 ± 6.44, and the mean years since retirement from the sport was 7.76 ± 6.69 for participants with a history of substantial concussions (>5 concussions in their career) (n = 30). The mean age was 45.75 ± 11.52, and the mean years since retirement was 6.75 ± 4.64 for the healthy controls (n = 26). Serum biomarkers (t-tau, RBP-4, SAA, Nf-L, and retinol), plasma cytokines, and biomarkers associated with serum-derived exosomes (Aβ42, p-tau181, p-tau217, and p-tau231) were analyzed using validated commercial ELISA assays. The results of the selected biomarkers were compared between the two groups. Biomarkers including t-tau and p-tau181 were significantly elevated in the history of the substantial concussion group compared to the non-contact sports group (t-tau: p < 0.01; p-tau181: p < 0.05). Although between-group differences in p-tau217, p-tau231, SAA, Nf-L, retinol, and Aβ42 were not significantly different, there was a trend for higher levels of Aβ42, p-tau217, and p-tau231 in the concussed group. Interestingly, the serum-derived exosome sizes were significantly larger (p < 0.01), and serum RBP-4 levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the highly concussed group. These findings indicate that retired athletes with a history of multiple concussions during their careers have altered serum measurements of exosome size, t-tau, p-tau181, and RBP-4. These biomarkers should be explored further for the prediction of future neurodegenerative outcomes, including ALS, in those with a history of concussion. Full article

Background: Female athletic performance and injury risk is impacted by variations in the menstrual cycle (MC), but the understanding of the impacts and mechanisms influenced by the menstrual cycle on exercise performance are not fully delineated. Aims and Objectives: Evaluate associations between the menstrual cycle, perceived performance, and injury risk of elite female rugby players using an online survey. Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was completed by 150 elite female rugby players from two English rugby leagues, the Betfred Women’s Super League (BWSL) and the Allianz Premier 15s (AP15s). The collected data were analysed thematically. Results: The Chi-square test was used to assess associations between age groups and contraception usage, weight change, and training and playing performance; none of the associations were statistically significant (all p values > 0.05). Thematic analysis of 11,660 words of data revealed four themes: (a) MC impact on training and competition, (b) education and period management plans, (c) openness of conversations and comfort taking time off, and (d) injury risk. The impacted performance areas were physical (83.7%), psychological (85.7%), and nutritional (80.3%); players experienced decreased appetite, nausea, fatigue, strength declines, heighted emotions, and worsened focus. In total, 87.8% of athletes perceived the MC to negatively impact performance, 85.7% of players desired to be educated further to prevent injuries, improve nutrition, and training adaptions, 51.7% of participants perceived risk of injury to be higher during MC, and 86.4% of participants did not feel comfortable taking time off due to the MC, worrying that selection would be affected and about opinions from others. Conclusion: A clear negative impact on perceived performance and injury risk was reported by survey participants. The interaction of physical, psychological, and nutritional factors, and a lack of awareness and education emphasise the need for further comprehensive studies and interventions, with measures such as MC monitoring and profiling, education, and training adaptions to develop openness, knowledge, and understanding. Full article

Over the past ten years there has been a dramatic rise in female sport participation and accompanying female professional national leagues across multiple sports, yet research has not followed suit. Although there are known variations between female and male physiology, training protocols in female sport are predominantly underpinned by research undertaken in male athletes. The hormonal variability experienced by women across the menstrual cycle, as well as the menstrual cycle variability between women, may contribute to the complexity of conducting rigorous physiological studies, leading to a paucity of robust sports-specific research that can be confidently applied to female athletes. Moreover, barriers exist in female sport that potentially limit the ability to conduct research, including the lack of full-time programs and limited resources. Recently, there has been increased interest in the potential effects of fluctuations in the female sex hormones, progesterone and oestrogen, on sport performance across different phases of the menstrual cycle. However, current research evaluating the menstrual cycle and physical performance (such as strength, speed, aerobic fitness, and athletes’ perception of their performance) have shown inconsistent results. Additionally, methodological design across studies has shown little consistency, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions, which potentially prevents female athletes optimising their physical and sporting performance. It further impacts coaches and sports science researchers in their ability to provide appropriate training recommendations and educational opportunities. It is important to progress in female athlete research with an understanding of how the unique physiology of female athletes may influence their ability to physically perform in their respective sport, which requires representation in sports science research. This paper will provide an overview on current evidence and limitations within menstrual cycle research and provide considerations and directions for future research in this space within team sports. Full article

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a common inherited neurological disorder that causes damage to peripheral nerves. Reports of CMT patients participating in team-based sports such as disability rugby league are scarce. The objective of this case report was to evaluate the benefits of participation in disability rugby league in a 50-year-old male with CMT. Leg muscle mass and strength was worse for the case subject compared to two age-matched CMT participants with an exercise history; however, evidence of greater function in the case subject was observed through better 6-min walk test performance. Performance in a series of sport specific tests was noticeably worse for the case subject compared to a fellow rugby league player (age matched) with cerebral palsy. Inferior in-game performance was observed for the case subject compared to his fellow rugby league player in terms of distance covered, top running speed, and intensity. However, the case subject may have assumed a different role when playing as evident by the different behaviours he displayed during the games (i.e., less player contacts, tackles, or touches, but more passes of the ball). This case study provides information concerning disability rugby league as an adjunctive mode of treatment for CMT populations. Full article

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is an important test in rugby league (RL), and the force plate is the recommended assessment device, as it permits the calculation of several variables that explain jump strategy, alongside jump height. The purpose of this study was to produce normative CMJ data and objective benchmarks for professional RL forwards and backs. Normative data for jump height, modified reactive strength index, and jump momentum are provided for 121 professional RL players (66 forwards and 55 backs) who completed CMJ testing on a portable force plate during preseason training. Standardized T-scores (scaled from 0 to 100) were calculated from the respective positional group mean and standard deviation to create CMJ performance bands that were combined with a qualitative description (ranging from extremely poor to excellent) and a traffic light system to facilitate data interpretation and objective benchmark setting by RL practitioners. The jump height and modified reactive strength index benchmarks were larger for the lighter backs, whereas the jump momentum benchmarks were larger for the heavier forwards. The presented novel approach to compiling and presenting normative data and objective benchmarks may also be applied to other data (i.e., from other tests or devices) and populations. Full article

An increase in resting blood lactate (La⁻) concentration due to metabolic conditions has been reported. However, it is not clear whether resting La⁻ changes with training cycles in athletes. The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) the morning resting La⁻ levels are lower in periods of high training compared to periods of low training and (2) these changes in La⁻ concentration are related to athletes’ metabolic capacity during exercise in male college-aged rugby players. Resting La⁻ and blood glucose concentrations were measured in the morning in eight league rugby players during the summer pre-season period (Pre-period), the training and competition season period (TC-period), and the winter post-season period (Post-period). In each period, anaerobic power, La⁻ concentration, and respiratory responses were measured during the 40 s maximal Wingate anaerobic test (WT). The resting La⁻ concentration in the morning was significantly lower in the TC-Period (1.9 ± 0.6 mmol/L) than in the Post-Period (2.3 ± 0.9 mmol/L). The rate of decrease in La⁻ level immediately after the 40 s WT was significantly higher in the TC-Period than in the Post-Period. The resting La⁻ concentration was significantly correlated with the peak oxygen uptake and the carbon dioxide output during the WT. These results support the hypothesis that an athlete’s training cycle (i.e., in season and off season) influences the resting La⁻ levels as well as the metabolic capacity during high-intensity exercise. The monitoring of resting La⁻ fluctuations may provide a convenient indication of the training cycle-dependent metabolic capacity in athletes. Full article