Rugby: A Sport Analysis

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Rugby Overview Rugby is a contact sport characterized by periods of high-intensity activities interspersed with short periods of low-intensity activity (Austin, Gabbett, & Jenkins, 2011). Rugby is short for Rugby Football and the sport developed from Testing and Training Components of Performance Validity and Reliability A sport analysis must be conducted before a training program can be designed (Green, Blake, & Caulfield, (2011). Testing helps coaches to identify physical abilities, areas in need of improvement, and can serve as a baseline to set achievable goals and track improvement. In order for the test results to be useful, the test must actually measure what it is supposed to measure (known as validity) as well as repeatable …show more content…

(1998) Some articles include aerobic endurance and flexibility as components as well (Meir, Newton, Curtis, Fardell, & Butler, 2001) but these are secondary to the key components. Metabolic energy requirements, by importance was determined to be primarily ATP-CP system, secondarily anaerobic system, and tertiary the aerobic system due to the nature of frequent intense bouts of effort broken up by periods of relative rest (Corcoran, & Bird, 2009). Duthie, Pyne, & Hooper (2005) quantify this as 85% of game time is spent in low-intensity activities and 15% in high-intensity …show more content…

Sprinting time lasted 2.04 ± 0.72 seconds for forwards on average (Green, Blake, & Caulfield, (2011). With this in consideration, linear speed testing should be limited to < 40 meters. Agility Baechle et al. (2008) define agility as the ability to stop, start, and change the direction rapidly in a controlled manner. Muscle Strength Strength is the maximal force produced at a given speed by a muscle or muscles. Rugby players require high levels of muscular strength, particularly for the forwards (i.e. flanker) in scrums, mauls, and rucks (Duthie, Pyne, & Hooper, 2003). Flankers require optimal strength as their position requires them to multi-task and defend while also retain possession during offense (Corcoran, & Bird, 2009). Muscular Endurance There is also a requirement for high anaerobic capacity during sustained and repeated intense efforts (Duthie, Pyne, & Hooper, 2005). Muscle endurance is an important attribute and necessary prerequisite for the tackling, pulling, lifting and pushing activities that occur during the game (Meir, Newton, Curtis, Fardell, & Butler,

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