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The physical characteristics of match-play in English schoolboy and academy rugby union
Read, Dale B. Jones, Ben Phibbs, Padraic J. Roe, Gregory A. B. Darrall-Jones, Joshua David Weakley, Jonathon J. S. Till, Kevin
Read, Dale B.
Jones, Ben
Phibbs, Padraic J.
Roe, Gregory A. B.
Darrall-Jones, Joshua David
Weakley, Jonathon J. S.
Till, Kevin
Abstract
The aim was to compare the physical characteristics of under-18 academy and schoolboy rugby union competition by position (forwards and backs). Using a microsensor unit, match characteristics were recorded in 66 players. Locomotor characteristics were assessed by maximum sprint speed (MSS) and total, walking, jogging, striding and sprinting distances. The slow component (<2 m · s−1) of PlayerLoadTM (PLslow), which is the accumulated accelerations from the three axes of movement, was analysed as a measure of low-speed activity (e.g., rucking). A linear mixed-model was assessed with magnitude-based inferences. Academy forwards and backs almost certainly and very likely covered greater total distance than school forwards and backs. Academy players from both positions were also very likely to cover greater jogging distances. Academy backs were very likely to accumulate greater PLslow and the academy forwards a likely greater sprinting distance than school players in their respective positions. The MSS, total, walking and sprinting distances were greater in backs (likely-almost certainly), while forwards accumulated greater PLslow (almost certainly) and jogging distance (very likely). The results suggest that academy-standard rugby better prepares players to progress to senior competition compared to schoolboy rugby.
Keywords
player development, team sports, GPS, player load
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Sports Sciences
Book
Volume
36
Issue
6
Page Range
645-650
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled