The change in external match loads and characteristics for a newly promoted European super league rugby league team over a three season period

ABSTRACT

The external loads and match characteristics for a newly promoted European Super League team were examined over three seasons (2012–2014). Global positioning systems were used to assess player movements, with video data assessing collisions and tactical variables. From 2012 to 2014, there was a very large increase in the relative distance covered (87.0–96.6 m.min⁻¹; P = 0.001; ES = 4.0; 95% CI [1.8, 6.2]), relative number of collisions (0.43–0.53 n.min⁻¹; P = 0.001; ES = 2.1; 95% CI [0.9, 3.3]), and relative high-speed running distance (>5.0 m.s⁻¹) (6.3 to 8.1 m.min⁻¹; P = 0.002; ES = 2.0; 95% CI [0.8 3.2]). For the team analysed, there was a moderate increase in points scored (P = 0.026; ES = 0.7; 95% CI [0.1–1.3]) and large reduction in points conceded (P = 0.001; ES = 1.2; 95% CI [0.5–1.9]). There was a moderate increase for ball in play time (P = 0.004; ES = 0.9; 95% CI [0.3–1.5]), and game stoppages were lower owing to a moderate reduction of total points scored (P = 0.039; ES = 0.7; 95% CI [0.0–1.4]), and total penalties per game (P = 0.001; ES = 1.0; 95% CI [0.4–1.6]). The change in external loads and match characteristics reported over this period highlights that players within a newly promoted team needed time to develop and adapt to the competition.

KEYWORDS:

• Longitudinal
• development
• activity profiles
• microtechnology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.