Damien J. Austin

The physical demands of Super 14 rugby union

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to describe the match-play demands of professional rugby union players competing in Super 14 matches during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. DESIGN The movements of 20 players from Super 14 rugby union team during the 2008 and 2009 seasons were video recorded. METHODS Using time-motion analysis (TMA), five players from four positional groups (front-row forwards, back-row forwards, inside backs and outside backs) were assessed. RESULTS Players covered between 4218 m and 6389 m during the games. The maximum distances covered in a game by the four groups were: front row forwards (5139 m), back row forwards, (5422 m), inside backs (6389 m) and outside backs (5489 m). The back row forwards spent the greatest amount of time in high-intensity exercise (1190 s), followed by the front row forwards (1015 s), the inside backs (876 s) and the outside backs (570 s). Average distances covered in individual sprint efforts were: front row forwards (16 m), back row forwards (14 m), inside backs (17 m) and outside backs (18 m). Work to rest ratios of 1:4, 1:4, 1:5, and 1:6 were found for the front row and back row forwards, and inside and outside backs respectively. CONCLUSION The Super 14 competition during 2008 and 2009, have resulted in an increase in total high-intensity activities, sprint frequency, and work to rest ratios across all playing positions. For players and teams to remain competitive in Super 14 rugby, training (including recovery practices) should reflect these current demands.

Repeated high-intensity exercise in a professional rugby league

Austin, DJ, Gabbett, TJ, and Jenkins, DJ. Repeated high-intensity exercise in a professional rugby league. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 1898-1904, 2011—The primary aim of this study was to identify and describe the frequency and duration of repeated high-intensity exercise (RHIE) bouts in Australian professional rugby league (National Rugby League) and whether these occurred at critical times during a game. Time motion analysis was used during 5 competition matches; 1 player from 3 positional groups (hit-up forward, adjustable, and outside back) was analyzed in each match. The ranges of RHIE bouts for the 3 positional groups were hit-up forwards 9-17, adjustables 2-8, and outside backs 3-7. Hit-up forwards were involved in a significantly greater number of RHIE bouts (p < 0.05) and had the shortest average recovery (376 ± 205 seconds) between RHIE bouts. The single overall maximum durations of RHIE bouts for the hit-up forwards, the adjustables, and the outside backs were 64, 64, and 49 seconds. For all groups, 70% of the total RHIE bouts occurred within 5 minutes prior of a try being scored. The present data show that the nature of RHIE bouts was specific to playing position and occurred frequently at critical times during the game. These results can be used to develop training programs that mimic the ‘worst case scenarios’ that elite rugby league players are likely to encounter.

Positional Differences in Professional Rugby League Match Play Through the Use of Global Positioning Systems

Abstract Austin, DJ, and Kelly, SJ. Positional differences in professional rugby league match play through the use of global positioning systems. J Strength Cond Res 27(1): 14–19, 2013—The current use of tracking technology in the form of global positioning systems allows for a greater analysis of locomotor activities occurring in games and a larger volume of games when compared with time-motion analysis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to be the first to analyze the physiological demands of forwards and backs throughout the entirety of an Australian professional rugby league season. The movement patterns of 185 players from a professional rugby league club were recorded during 28 National Rugby League games played in Australia during the 2010 season. The players were clustered into 2 positional groups, backs and forwards. Maximum match-play time recorded was 99 minutes and 50 seconds in a semifinal game recorded for both a forward and back. The mean total distances covered in a game for forwards and backs were 5,964 ± 696 and 7,628 ± 744 m, respectively (p < 0.05). The maximum distance recorded by a forward was 10,511 and 10,359 m for a back. The average number of occurrences in high-intensity running (>18 km·h−1) was 23 ± 4 and for forwards and significantly higher backs with 35 ± 8 (p < 0.05). The maximum work rate in a 10-minute block of match play was 115 and 120 m·min−1 of play for forwards and backs, respectively. Understanding the physiological demands of a sport is important for coaches to deliver athletes optimal training programs that elicit appropriate and specific physiological adaptation. The differences in locomotor activities, which occur between positions, need to be accounted for when developing training programs.

Repeated high-intensity exercise in professional rugby union

Abstract The aim of the present study was to describe the frequency, duration, and nature of repeated high-intensity exercise in Super 14 rugby union. Time–motion analysis was used during seven competition matches over the 2008 and 2009 Super 14 seasons; five players from each of four positional groups (front row forwards, back row forwards, inside backs, and outside backs) were assessed (20 players in total). A repeated high-intensity exercise bout was considered to involve three or more sprints, and/or tackles and/or scrum/ruck/maul activities within 21 s during the same passage of play. The range of repeated high-intensity exercise bouts for each group in a match was as follows: 11–18 for front row forwards, 11–21 for back row forwards, 13–18 for inside backs, and 2–11 for outside backs. The durations of the most intense repeated high-intensity exercise bouts for each position ranged from 53 s to 165 s and the minimum recovery periods between repeated high-intensity exercise bouts ranged from 25 s for the back row forwards to 64 s for the front row forwards. The present results show that repeated high-intensity exercise bouts vary in duration and activities relative to position but all players in a game will average at least 10 changes in activity in the most demanding bouts and complete at least one tackle and two sprints. The most intense periods of activity are likely to last as long as 120 s and as little as 25 s recovery may separate consecutive repeated high-intensity exercise bouts. The present findings can be used by coaches to prepare their players for the most demanding passages of play likely to be experienced in elite rugby union.

Movement demands of elite rugby league players during Australian National Rugby League and European Super League matches.

PURPOSE This study compared the movement demands of players competing in matches from the elite Australian and European rugby league competitions. METHODS Global positioning system devices were used to measure 192 performances of forwards, adjustables, and outside backs during National Rugby League (NRL; n = 88) and European Super League (SL; n = 104) matches. Total and relative distances covered overall and at low (0-3.5 m/s), moderate (3.6-5 m/s), and high (>5 m/s) speeds were measured alongside changes in movement variables across the early, middle, and late phases of the season. RESULTS The relative distance covered in SL matches (95.8 ± 18.6 m/min) was significantly greater (P < .05) than in NRL matches (90.2 ± 8.3 m/min). Relative low-speed activity (70.3 ± 4.9 m/min vs 75.5 ± 18.9 m/min) and moderate-speed running (12.5 ± 3.3 m m/min vs 14.2 ± 3.8 m/min) were highest (P < .05) in the SL matches, and relative high-speed distance was greater (P < .05) during NRL matches (7.8 ± 2.1 m/min vs 6.1 ± 1.7 m/min). CONCLUSIONS NRL players have better maintenance of high-speed running between the first and second halves of matches and perform less low- and moderate-speed activity, indicating that the NRL provides a higher standard of rugby league competition than the SL.

Professional Rugby League Positional Match-Play Analysis Through the Use of Global Positioning System

Abstract Austin, DJ and Kelly, SJ. Professional rugby league positional match-play analysis through the use of global positioning system. J Strength Cond Res 28(1): 187–193, 2014—The purpose of this study was to quantify the movement demands of all 9 individual playing positions in professional rugby league. The movement demands of 135 professional rugby league players were recorded during 28 National Rugby League games in 2011, using a nondifferential 5 Hz global positioning system. The mean total distances covered in a game for fullback, wing, center, five-eight, halfback, hooker, lock, back row, and prop players were 7,760, 7,457, 7,301, 8,402, 8,500, 6,988, 5,481, 6,936, and 4,597 m, respectively. The average occurrence of high-intensity runs per match was 42, 35, 34, 86, 120, 74, 52, 26, and 18 for fullback, wing, center, five-eight, halfback, hooker, lock, back row, and prop players, respectively. The average distance traveled greater than 18 km·h−1 for fullback were 17 ± 2 m, wing 18 ± 2 m, center 18 ± 3 m, five-eight 16 ± 3 m, and halfback 17 ± 4 m. The average distance and range traveled greater than 18 km·h−1 for hooker were 14 ± 3 m, lock 16 ± 2 m, back row 18 ± 3 m, and prop 16 ± 2 m. The use of global positioning systems has demonstrated plausibility to eliminate the use of grouping of positions in rugby league and for coaches to make specific training protocols for each position. Given the differences in movement demands of all 9 positions in rugby league, some positions would lack specificity to their positional requirements if using collective grouping for planning of training regimens.

Tackling in a professional rugby league.

Austin, D, Gabbett, T, and Jenkins, D. Tackling in a professional rugby league. J Strength Cond Res 25(6): 1659-1663, 2011—During the course of a rugby league match, players are involved in multiple physical collisions, predominantly in the form of tackles. The purpose of this study was to describe the nature of, and circumstances relating to the various types of tackles completed by various playing positions in professional rugby league competition. Time-motion analysis was used during 5 competition matches; 1 player from 3 positional groups (hit-up forwards, adjustables, and outside backs) was analyzed in each match. Tackles were assessed by recording the sequence of involvement (e.g., whether a player was the first, second, or third player to engage in the tackle), the area of initial body contact on the player being tackled (e.g., high—above waist or low—below waist) and the type of tackle (e.g., front-on tackle, side-on tackle, and tackle from behind). The hit-up forwards, adjustables and outside backs averaged 166, 89, and 41 tackles, respectively, a game; the majority (46%) involved the observed defender being the first physical contact in the tackle. The present data show that the first defender generally makes a front-on tackle, either low or high, whereas the second player performs a front-on high tackle. If a third player is involved in a tackle, he or she makes contact with the player from the side and above the waist. The most frequent activity immediately before tackling is striding, followed by sprinting. The development of strength-based wrestling for individual playing positions should be an integral part of physical conditioning for rugby league players. The development of tackling skills at various movement intensities should also be considered.

Reliability and Validity of Sports Accelerometers During Static and Dynamic Testing

PURPOSE To investigate the validity and reliability of accelerometry of the SPI-ProX II dual data logger (GPSports, Canberra, Australia). METHODS Controlled laboratory assessments determined the accuracy and reproducibility of raw accelerometer data. Intra- and interdevice reliability assessed the ability of the SPI-ProX II accelerometers to repeatedly measure peak gravitational accelerations (g) during impact-based testing. Static and dynamic validity testing assessed the accuracy of SPI-ProX II accelerometers against a criterion-referenced accelerometer. Dynamic validity was assessed over a range of frequencies from 5 to 15 Hz. RESULTS Intradevice reliability found no differences (P < .05) between 4 SPI-ProX II accelerometers, with a low coefficient of variation (1.87-2.21%). SPI-ProX II accelerometers demonstrated small to medium effect-size (ES) differences (0.10-0.44) between groups and excellent interdevice reliability, with no difference found between units (F = 0.826, P = .484). Validity testing revealed significant differences between devices (P = .001), with high percentage differences (27.5-30.5%) and a large ES (>3.44). CONCLUSIONS SPI-ProX II accelerometers demonstrated excellent intra- and interaccelerometer reliability. However, static and dynamic validity were poor, and caution is recommended when measuring the absolute magnitude of acceleration, particularly for high-frequency movements. Regular assessment of individual devices is advised, particularly for mechanical damage and signal-drift errors. It is recommended that guidelines be provided by the manufacturer on measuring shifts in the base accelerometer signal, including time frames for assessing accelerometer axis, magnitude of errors, and calibration of accelerometers from a stable reference point.

Reliability and sensitivity of a repeated high-intensity exercise performance test for rugby league and rugby union

Abstract Austin, DJ. Gabbett, TJ, and Jenkins, DG. Reliability and sensitivity of a repeated high-intensity exercise performance test for rugby league and rugby union. J Strength Cond Res 27(4): 1128–1135, 2013—The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and sensitivity of 3 ecologically valid repeated high-intensity exercise (RHIE) tests for professional rugby league (RL) and rugby union (RU) players. A further purpose was to investigate the relationship between RHIE performance and measures of speed (20-m sprint) and high-intensity intermittent running ability (yo-yo intermittent recovery test). Thirty-six RU and RL players were separated into 3 equal groups based on playing position: backs, RL forwards and RU forwards. Test-retest reliability was assessed by comparing total sprint time over 9 sprints during 2 identical testing sessions. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for total sprint time were moderate to high (0.82, 0.97, and 0.94) and coefficient of variation (CV) low (4.2, 1.4, and 0.6%) for the backs, RL forwards, and RU forwards tests, respectively. However, sprint performance decrement scores were poorer, with ICC and CV of 0.78, 0.86, and 0.88 and 49.5, 48.2, and 35.8% for the backs, RL forwards, and RU forwards, respectively. Total sprint times for the backs, RL forwards, and RU forwards decreased over the 3 tests by 0.54, 0.53, and 2.09 seconds, respectively. Changes in RHIE total sprint time were moderately related to changes in 20-m sprint times (T1 to T2, r = 0.63; T2 to T3, r = 0.69; and T1 to T3, r = 0.63; all p < 0.05) but not yo-yo intermittent recovery test performances. This study has shown that the designed RL and RU RHIE tests have moderate to high reliability and produce significant improvements over a training period when total sprint times are compared.

Movement Profiles, Match Events, and Performance in Australian Football

Abstract Johnston, RJ, Watsford, ML, Austin, D, Pine, MJ, and Spurrs, RW. Movement profiles, match events, and performance in Australian football. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2129–2137, 2016—This study examined the relationship between movement demands, match events, and match performance in professional Australian football. Data were collected from 19 players using global positioning system units during 2 Australian Football League seasons. A range of movement demands and instantaneous power measures were collected. The players were divided into high-caliber (HC, ≥17/20) and low-caliber (LC, ⩽8/20) groups based on the rating score by their coaches. A Mann-Whitney U-test, independent samples t-test, and effect sizes were used to determine whether any differences existed between the 2 groups. The HC group had a significantly higher match duration (7.2%), higher total distance (9.6%), and covered more distance and spent more time high-speed running per minute (12.7 and 11.9%). Although not significant, the effect sizes revealed that the HC group tended to have a higher mean metabolic power output (2.6%) and spent more time at the high power zone (7.9%). For the match event data, the HC group had significantly more involvements with the football. The results demonstrated the higher physical demands placed on the HC group. The findings suggest that analyzing instantaneous power measures can provide valuable information about the physical demands placed on team sport athletes to coaches and conditioning staff.