Training and match load in professional rugby union: Do contextual factors influence the training week?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rugby union demands a multifaceted approach to training, given the multiple physical and technical attributes required to play the sport.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to describe the distribution of training throughout the week and investigate how this may be influenced by match-related factors.

Methods

Training load data (session Rating of Perceived Exertion [sRPE], total distance and high-speed running [HSR]) were collected from six professional English rugby teams during the 2017/18 season. Five contextual factors were also recorded including: standard of opposition, competition type, result of previous fixture, surface type, and match venue.

Results

The day prior to matches demonstrated the lowest training load (101 AU (95% CIs: 0-216 AU),

SUBMITTER: West SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9924541 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature