AUTHOR=Heather Ormond , Lander Patrick , Rayner Russell 

TITLE=Practice to pitch: The relationship between force-velocity profiles and match-day performance of semi-professional rugby union players

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1066767

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2023.1066767

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=This exploratory study assessed the relationship between athlete neuromuscular performance derived from force-velocity profiles (FVPs) from four common resistance exercises and rugby performance indicators (RPIs). Twenty-two semi-professional male rugby players (body mass 102.5 ± 12.6kg, height 1.85 ± 0.74m, age 24.4 ± 3.4years) were recruited for this study. Playing positions were distributed as backs (n=10) and forwards (n=12). Prior to the first game of a Covid-impacted nine-match season, participants performed four common resistance exercises (barbell box squat, jammer push-press, sled pull, and sled push) at incremental loads to establish force-velocity profiles. During the season, rugby performance indicators (post-contact metres, tries, turnovers conceded, tackles, try assists, metres ran, defenders beaten and tackle breaks) were collated from two trusted sources by a performance analyst. Correlational analyses were used to determine the relationship between the results of FVPs and RPIs. There was a statistically significant, moderate, positive correlation between tackle-breaks and sled push V0 (r=.35, p=.048). Significant, large, positive correlations between tackles and jammer push-press V0 (r=.53, p=.049) and tackle-breaks and sled pull F0 (r=.53, p=.03). There was a significant, negative relationship between sled pull V0 and tackle-breaks (r=-.49, p=.04). However, the largest, significant correlation reported was between metres ran, and sled pull F0 (r=.66, p=.03). These preliminary findings suggest a relationship may exist between FVPs of particular exercises and RPIs, however confirmation from further research is required. More specifically, the results suggest that horizontal resistance training may be best to enhance RPIs (tackle-breaks, tackles, and metres ran). Furthermore, in this study maximal power was not related to any rugby performance indicator, which suggests that a specified prescription of either force or velocity dominant exercises to enhance RPI’s may be warranted.