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Zabaloy S, Freitas TT, Alcaraz PE, Gálvez-González J, Pereira LA, Comyns T, Loturco I, Healy R. Relative Acceleration and Maximum Velocity in Rugby Players According to Age Category and Playing Position. J Strength Cond Res 2024:00124278-990000000-00478. [PMID: 39016269 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Zabaloy, S, Freitas, TT, Alcaraz, PE, Gálvez-González, J, Pereira, LA, Comyns, T, Loturco, I, and Healy, R. Relative acceleration and maximum velocity in rugby players according to age category and playing position. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study aimed to: (a) assess the intrasession reliability of the acceleration time constant (i.e., τ) and τ-derived measures; (b) analyze the influence of τ and maximum velocity (Vmax) on 40-m sprint performance and to compare various sprint-related outcomes among rugby players from different playing positions and age categories; and (c) explore the associations between τ and several sprint performance metrics. A total of 300 male rugby players volunteered to participate in this study and were divided into age categories (i.e., under-14 [U14]: n = 91, age: 12.6 ± 0.5 years; under-16 [U16]: n = 85, age: 14.8 ± 0.5 years; under-18 [U18]: n = 75, age: 16.6 ± 0.5 years; and Seniors: n = 49, age: 24.2 ± 4.1 years). The results demonstrated good to excellent reliability for all measured parameters (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75 and coefficient of variation <9.0%). Younger players (i.e., U14 and U16) displayed lower τ values (effect size: moderate to large; p < 0.02) compared with their older peers (i.e., U18 and Seniors), regardless of their playing position. Moreover, τ was associated with sprint performance metrics at varying levels of correlations (Rho: small to almost perfect; p < 0.001). In conclusion, younger players exhibited lower τ values than their older counterparts, irrespective of their playing positions. The model employed in this study demonstrated its accuracy in assessing several key sprint performance metrics, offering insights that can enhance sprint training programs for rugby players, which can be based on the associations observed among these different variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Zabaloy
- Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports, University of Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Carnegie School of Sports, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Tomás T Freitas
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Nucleus of High Performance in Sport (NAR), São Paulo, Brazil
- Facultad de Deporte, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro E Alcaraz
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Lucas A Pereira
- Nucleus of High Performance in Sport (NAR), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tom Comyns
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Irineu Loturco
- Nucleus of High Performance in Sport (NAR), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- University of South Wales, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom; and
| | - Robin Healy
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland
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Peeters A, Leduc C, Piscione J, Lacome M, Carling C, Babault N. Anthropometric and physical characteristics in U16, U18 and U20 elite French youth rugby union players. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295623. [PMID: 38117784 PMCID: PMC10732359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study in elite youth French players were to 1) describe the anthropometric and physical characteristics of international and non-international players from U16 to U20, and 2) compare these characteristics across age categories and playing standard (international or non-international). Altogether, 1423 players from the French Rugby Federation's academies participated in a physical testing battery, part of its national young player development pathway. From seasons 2010 to 2020, players were assessed for anthropometric (body mass and height), off-field (bench press; isometric squat, vertical jump) and on-field physical characteristics (aerobic capacity: maximal aerobic speed [MAS]; speed: 10-m, 50-m sprint). A 2-way mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare physical characteristics across age categories and playing standards. Two separate models were used for forwards and backs. A main statistical effect was observed for age category and playing standard (range p < 0.05 -p < 0.001). Pair-wise category comparisons showed that older players were generally taller, heavier, stronger, faster and demonstrated better aerobic qualities than younger peers. The same results were observed for INT compared with NI players while INT forwards were also taller and heavier than NI peers (range p < 0.01 -p < 0.001). Findings revealed a clear progression in anthropometric characteristics and physical qualities throughout the age development pathway in elite young French rugby players. Findings also identified certain physical qualities (strength, power and speed) necessary at younger levels to achieve international standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Peeters
- Sport Science Faculty, INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comte, Dijon, France
- Performance Department, French Rugby Federation (FFR), Marcoussis, France
| | - Cedric Leduc
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Center, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Sport Science and Medicine Department, Crystal Palace Football Club, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Piscione
- Performance Department, French Rugby Federation (FFR), Marcoussis, France
- University of Evry, University of Paris Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Mathieu Lacome
- Performance and Analytics Department, Parma Calcio 1913, Parma, Italy
- FFF Research Center, Fédération Française de Football, Centre National du Football, Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France
| | - Christopher Carling
- FFF Research Center, Fédération Française de Football, Centre National du Football, Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France
- Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Babault
- Sport Science Faculty, INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comte, Dijon, France
- Centre for Performance and Expertise, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comte, Sport Science Faculty, Dijon, France
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