Original researchPosition specific rehabilitation for rugby union players. Part I: Empirical movement analysis data
Introduction
Physiotherapists involved in the rehabilitation of rugby union players require an understanding of the demands experienced by players of this sport. The different positions in a rugby team each have specific demands and skills (Nicholas, 1997). The initial considerations in devising a rehabilitation programme must, therefore, revolve around the varying positional demands. Consideration should be given to the physical contact, cardio-vascular, muscular power, agility and biomechanical demands of each position. For an understanding of these variables the physiotherapist must have an intimate knowledge of the sport as well as a source of reference for the movement patterns that reflect physiological and kinematic demands of rugby union. The only available literature to have assessed movement patterns of Rugby Union players, conducted between 1988 and 2004, pertain primarily to southern hemisphere teams and any British data pre-dates professionalisation of the sport (1996). It is quite clear that the adoption of professionalism has changed Rugby Union in the UK and direct comparisons between northern and southern hemisphere styles of play are often difficult due to tactical and philosophical differences.
A number of further issues raised by available literature would support the rationale for continued collection of empirical movement pattern data. Previous research has used a variety of data collection techniques with the most popular being time-motion analysis, using video recordings, to estimate the distance, time, work/rest ratios and frequencies of match play activities (Docherty et al., 1988, McClean, 1992, Deutsch et al., 1998, Deutsch et al., 2002). With advances in technical abilities and professionalisation of the game we now have the possibility of utilising multi-camera systems, such as the Prozone© system. This system enhances the time and motion studies of invasive team sports, such as rugby, by allowing for situations where players are obscured from view. Most studies to date have used a modified movement classification that had been devised for football by Reilly and Thomas (1976) where movements were divided into high intensity (HI) activities and low intensity (LI) activities. The HI activities often included an array of; sprinting, running, tackling, rucking and mauling, lineouts and scrums although individual studies have missed specific components of movement patterns in the game. Deutsch et al. (2002) recorded jumping but not lifting at lineouts, which has become a major role for Prop Forwards, Locks and Loose Forwards in the modern professional game. Furthermore, previous research has chosen not to analyse the Forwards' positions individually, opting instead for grouping them as one or in positional groups. For example, Deutsch, Kearney, and Rehrer (1998) grouped Props and Locks together as ‘Front Row Forwards’. Within the evolving nature of the game and the corresponding physical development of the players, these positional groups may require reconsideration in the modern game. Also, it is noted that current data for the positional demands of the scrum half are non-existent.
On this basis the purpose of the current study was to quantify the positional demands and movement patterns of professional Rugby Union players competing in the English Premiership. The findings from this study should support the medical team's development of position-specific rehabilitation, for professional Rugby Union players, under pinned by evidence based programmes. The medical teams of professional clubs are under intense pressure for the quick and safe return of an injured player. ‘An evidence based rehabilitation programme should augment clinical interventions to provide a safe and speedy return to competition’ (Beam, 2002).
Section snippets
Subjects
An incidental sample of 35 professional rugby players was used, from Northampton RFC, with an age range of 20–34 years. The Head Coach independently selected 22 players, to play in 15 positions in six Premiership matches. The 15 rugby union positions are made up of seven specialist roles. These roles are Props, Hooker, Locks, Loose Forwards, Scrum Half, Inside Backs and Outside Backs. The remaining seven players act as substitutes to be used for tactical or injury replacements. The recorded
Results
A comparison of the average distance (m), frequency (n), average time (s), and the relative match time (%), for all HI activities by playing position is displayed in Table 1. The data for LI activities and work to rest ratios are seen in Table 2. The selection of tables was made to allow every variable between every position to be compared in one place. An example of the comparison of the mean sprinting distance (m) for all positions is shown in Fig. 1.
Discussion
The most important finding of this study was that there were clear positional differences in the quantity and time spent in rugby specific demands for the current English Premiership rugby players. These differences are most obvious in the HI activities of the game and included position-specific differences within both the Forward and Backs units.
To compare to previous research it is often pertinent to reflect on Forwards' versus Backs' differences as well as those from individual positions.
Acknowledgements
The authors state that there are no conflicts of interests to disclose, including any financial or personal relationships with other people or organisations, which could inappropriately influence their work.
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