Effects of Repeated High-Intensity Effort Training or Repeated Sprint Training on Repeated High-Intensity Effort Ability and In-Game Performance in Professional Rugby Union Players.

ABSTRACT: Glaise, P, Rogowski, I, and Martin, C. Effects of repeated high-intensity effort training or repeated sprint training on repeated high-intensity effort ability and in-game performance in professional rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 932-940, 2024-This study investigated the effects of repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIE) training compared with repeated sprint exercise (RSE) training on RHIE ability (RHIEa) and in-game performance in professional rugby union players. Thirty-nine, male, professional, rugby union players were randomly assigned to 3 training groups (RHIE training, RSE training, and control). Repeated high-intensity effort ability and high-intensity effort characteristics (including sprints, acceleration, and contact efforts) during official games were measured before and after a 10-week specific (RHIE, RSE, or control) training period. The results of this study showed that concerning RHIEa, both the RHIE and RSE training significantly increased the players' average sprint velocity ( p < 0.001, d = -0.39 and p < 0.001, d = -0.53 respectively), average sled push velocity (ASPV; p < 0.001, d = -0.81 and p = 0.017, d = -0.48 respectively), and RHIE score ( p < 0.001, d = -0.72 and p < 0.001, d = -0.60 respectively). Repeated high-intensity effort training trended in a smaller increase in average sprint velocity than RSE training, a larger increase in ASPV, and a similar increase in RHIE score. Concerning in-game high-intensity efforts, both the RHIE and RSE training produced significant improvements in the number of sprints ( p = 0.047, d = -0.28 and p < 0.001, d = -0.47 respectively), total distance ( p < 0.001, d = -0.50 and p = 0.002, d = -0.38 respectively), the number of accelerations ( p < 0.001, d = -0.37 and p = 0.003, d = -0.32 respectively), and contact rate ( p < 0.001, d = -0.97 and p = 0.020, d = -0.28 respectively). Conversely, the magnitude of the increase in contact rate was almost twice as high in RHIE compared with RSE training. To conclude, the findings of this study were that both RSE and RHIE training are effective methods for developing RHIEa and in-game high-intensity efforts in professional rugby union. In practical applications, as the gains in certain abilities and game performance data differed depending on the training method chosen, we suggest that coaches choose the most appropriate method according to the profile of the players, their position, and the style of play they want to develop.

Opposition Skill Efficiency During Professional Rugby Union Official Games Is Related to Horizontal Force-Production Capacities in Sprinting.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine relationships between parameters of force-production capacity in sprinting and opposition skill efficiency in rugby union games according to position. METHODS: The sprint force-velocity profile of 33 professional rugby union players divided into 2 subgroups (forwards and backs) was measured on a 30-m sprint. Skill efficiencies (in percentage) of offensive duels, tackles, and rucks were assessed using objective criteria during 12 consecutive competitive games. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationships between parameters of horizontal force-production capacity in sprinting (maximum propulsive power, theoretical maximum force [F0], theoretical maximum velocity, maximum ratio of horizontal force [RFmax], and rate of decrease of this ratio of forces with increasing velocity) and skill efficiencies. Two multiple linear regression models were used to observe whether skill efficiencies could depend on determinants of horizontal force application in low- or high-velocity conditions. A first model including F0 and theoretical maximum velocity was used as a macroscopic analysis, while a second model including RFmax and rate of decrease of this ratio of forces with increasing velocity was used as microscopic analysis to determine the most significant determinants of skill efficiency. RESULTS: All skill efficiencies were strongly correlated with maximum propulsive power in forwards and backs. In forwards, F0 and RFmax were the key predictors of dueling, rucking, and tackling efficiency. In backs, F0 was the main predictor of dueling and rucking efficiency, whereas RFmax was the key predictor of dueling and tackling efficiency. F0 and theoretical maximum velocity equivalently contributed to tackling performance. CONCLUSIONS: In rugby union forward and back players, skill efficiency is correlated with maximum propulsive power and may be more explained by horizontal force-production capacity and mechanical effectiveness at lower velocities than at higher velocities.

Influence of Repeated-Sprint Ability on the in-Game Activity Profiles of Semiprofessional Rugby Union Players According to Position.

This study investigated the influence of repeated-sprint ability (RSA) on the activity of rugby union players in a competitive situation according to their position. Thirty-three semiprofessional rugby union players (age, 25.6 ± 4.3; height, 184.0 ± 8.0 cm; weight, 98.9 ± 13.9 kg, ~20 h training a week), divided into two position subgroups (forwards n = 20, backs n = 13) or four positional subgroups (front row and locks n = 13, back row n = 7, inside backs n = 6, outside backs n = 7), were tested. Their RSA was assessed with a 12 × 20 m sprint test over a 20 s cycle. GPS data (distance, acceleration, number of sprints, maximum velocity, and high-velocity running) and technical data were collected on 18 semiprofessional division rugby union games. In forwards, players with lower cumulated sprint time in the RSA test produced significantly more accelerations (ρ = -0.85, p < 0.001) and more combat actions per match minute (ρ = -0.69, p < 0.001). In backs, RSA was significantly correlated with high-intensity running [distance (ρ = -0.76), Vmax (ρ = -0.84), sprints frequency (ρ = -0.71), high-velocity running (ρ = -0.76), all p < 0.01]. Then, the players were divided into four subgroups (front row and locks, back row, inside backs and outside backs). RSA was significantly associated with the number of accelerations (ρ = -0.96, p <001) and combat actions in front row and locks (ρ = -0.71, p = 0.007). In the back row, RSA was correlated with distance (ρ = -0.96, p = 0.003) and the frequency of combat actions (ρ = -0.79, p = 0.04). In inside backs, RSA was significantly (all p < 0.01) correlated with distance (ρ = -0.81), number of accelerations (ρ = -0.94) and high-velocity running (ρ = -0.94), while in outside backs, RSA was associated with sprint frequency (ρ = -0.85) and the maximal in-game velocity reached (ρ = -0.89). These results demonstrate that RSA is associated with match running and combat activity performance (i) regardless of the position on the pitch and (ii) specifically for each player's position by improving the corresponding activity profile.