Assessing the frequency and magnitude of match impacts accrued during an elite rugby union playing season

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify position-related differences in absolute and relative match impacts in rugby union. Thirty-eight subjects were tracked, using GPS units containing inertial sensors, across one full playing season (n = 462 data sets). No difference in the number of impacts >9.01 G were observed between forwards (229 ± 160) and backs (226 ± 151). Forwards, however, experienced a greater absolute (p = 0.03) and relative (p = 0.003) number of impacts >13 G compared to backs. Full backs experienced the highest frequency of absolute impacts >9.01 G, which was significantly greater compared to locks (p = 0.001, d = 1.84), back row (p = 0.003, d = 0.68), out half (p = 0.036, d = 1.24) and wingers (p = 0.036, d = 0.76). Hookers experienced the highest relative frequency of impacts >9.01 G, which was significantly greater than locks (p < 0.001, d = 2.06), back row (p = 0.001, d = 1.10), outside halves (p = 0.001, d = 1.44) and wingers (p < 0.001, d = 1.19). Coaches should consider these findings when planning training sessions, as the frequency and magnitude of impacts experienced by positional groups vary during match play.

KEYWORDS:

• Inertial sensors
• playing position
• collisions
• rugby union

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Sale Sharks Rugby Club, for providing the players used in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.