The Reliability of a Rugby League Movement-Simulation Protocol Designed to Replicate the Performance of Interchanged Players
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
Purpose:
This study assessed the reliability of a rugby league movement-simulation protocol, relative to interchanged players (RLMSP-i).
Methods:
Fifteen male participants completed 2 trials of the RLMSP-i, separated by 1 wk. The RLMSP-i comprised low- to moderate-intensity running, interspersed by high-intensity sprinting and tackling activity, based on global positioning system (GPS) data recorded during Super League performances.
Results:
The lowest coefficient of variation (CV ± 95% CI) was observed for total m/min during both interchange bout 1 (1.1% ± 0.2%) and bout 2 (1.0% ± 0.2%). The percentage of heart rate peak and ratings of perceived exertion demonstrated CVs of 1.2–2.0% and 2.9–3.5%, respectively. The poorest agreement between trials was found for blood lactate concentration (16.2% ± 2.8%). In no case was the CV smaller than the smallest worthwhile change, yet in every case the moderate changes were larger than the CV.
Conclusions:
The RLMSP-i’s reliability is sufficient to enable the detection of moderate changes in various performance and physiological measurements that accurately simulate some, but not all, aspects of rugby league matches.
Waldron is with School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia. Highton and Twist are with Dept of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, UK.
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