Assessing the frequency and magnitude of match impacts accrued during an elite rugby union playing season. (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grainger, Adam; McMahon, John James; Comfort, Paul
• Is Part Of: International journal of performance analysis in sport. Volume 18:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 507
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Inertial sensors -- playing position -- collisions -- rugby union; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.015
• DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2018.1496392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-8668

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify position-related differences in absolute and relative match impacts in rugby union. Thirty-eight subjects were tracked, using GPS units containing inertial sensors, across one full playing season ( n = 462 data sets). No difference in the number of impacts >9.01 G were observed between forwards (229 ± 160) and backs (226 ± 151). Forwards, however, experienced a greater absolute ( p = 0.03) and relative ( p = 0.003) number of impacts >13 G compared to backs. Full backs experienced the highest frequency of absolute impacts >9.01 G, which was significantly greater compared to locks ( p = 0.001, d = 1.84), back row ( p = 0.003, d = 0.68), out half ( p = 0.036, d = 1.24) and wingers ( p = 0.036, d = 0.76). Hookers experienced the highest relative frequency of impacts >9.01 G, which was significantly greater than locks ( p < 0.001, d = 2.06), back row ( p = 0.001, d = 1.10), outside halves ( p = 0.001, d = 1.44) and wingers ( p < 0.001, d = 1.19). Coaches should consider these findings when planning training sessions, as the frequency and magnitude of impacts experienced by positional groups vary during match play.