The Reproducibility and External Validity of a Modified Rugby League Movement-Simulation Protocol for Interchange Players
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Purpose: To assess the reliability and external validity of a rugby league movement-simulation protocol for interchange players (RLMSP-i) that was adapted to include physical contact between participants. Methods: A total of 18 rugby players performed 2 trials of a modified RLMSP-i, 7 d apart. The simulation was conducted outdoors on artificial turf with movement speeds controlled using an audio signal. Microtechnology was used to measure locomotive and accelerometer (ie, PlayerLoad™) metrics for both bouts (∼23 min each) alongside heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: Reported for each bout, total distance (102 [3] m·min−1 and 101 [3] m·min−1), low-speed distance (77 [3] m·min−1 and 79 [4] m·min−1), high-speed distance (25 [3] m·min−1 and 22 [4] m·min−1), PlayerLoad (10 [1] AU·min−1 and 10 [1] AU·min−1), PlayerLoad slow (3.2 [0.6] AU·min−1 and 3.2 [0.6] AU·min−1), 2-dimensional PlayerLoad (6.0 [0.9] AU·min−1 and 5.7 [0.8] AU·min−1), and HR (86 [5]%HRmax and 84 [6]%HRmax) were similar to match play. The coefficient of variation (CV%) for locomotive metrics ranged from 1.3% to 14.4%, accelerometer CV% 4.4% to 10.0%, and internal load 4.8% to 13.7%. All variables presented a CV% less than the calculated moderate change during 1 or both bouts of the simulation except high-speed distance, percentage of the participant’s peak HR, and RPE. Conclusion: The modified RLMSP-i offers a reliable simulation to investigate influences of training and nutrition interventions on the movement and collision activities of rugby league interchange players.
Norris, Highton, and Twist are with the University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom. Norris is also with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derby, United Kingdom.
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