Influence of Physical and Technical Aspects on Change of Direction Performance of Rugby Players: An Exploratory Study

Tomás T. Freitas, Pedro E. Alcaraz, Julio Calleja-González, Ademir F. S. Arruda, Aristide Guerriero, Valter P. Mercer, Lucas A. Pereira, Felipe P. Carpes, Michael R. McGuigan and Irineu Loturco
Additional contact information
Tomás T. Freitas: UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain
Pedro E. Alcaraz: UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain
Julio Calleja-González: Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Basque Country, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Ademir F. S. Arruda: Brazilian Rugby Confederation, São Paulo 01407-911, Brazil
Aristide Guerriero: Brazilian Rugby Confederation, São Paulo 01407-911, Brazil
Valter P. Mercer: NAR—Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo 04753-060, Brazil
Lucas A. Pereira: NAR—Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo 04753-060, Brazil
Felipe P. Carpes: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana 96400-100, Brazil
Michael R. McGuigan: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth 6027, Australia
Irineu Loturco: NAR—Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo 04753-060, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: We examined the relationships between change of direction (COD) speed and deficit, and a series of speed- and power-related measurements in national team rugby union players and analyzed the influence of movement patterns on COD ability. Eleven male athletes completed the following physical assessments on different days: day 1—anthropometric measurements, and lower-body kinematic parameters (assessed with eight inertial sensors) and completion time in COD tests (pro-agility, 45° cutting maneuver (CUT), and “L” (L-Drill)); day 2—bilateral and unilateral squat and countermovement jumps, 40 m linear sprint, and bar-power output in the jump squat and half-squat exercises. Pearson’s product–moment correlations were performed to determine the relationships between COD velocities, COD deficits, and the speed–power variables. Differences between players with higher and lower COD deficits were examined using magnitude-based inferences. Results showed that (1) greater sprint momentum was associated with higher COD deficits, particularly in drills with sharper angles and multiple directional changes (L-drill and pro-agility); (2) higher unilateral jump heights were associated with greater COD deficits in the pro-agility and L-drill but not in the CUT; (3) faster athletes were less efficient at changing direction and presented greater trunk and knee flexion angles during COD maneuvers, probably as a consequence of higher inertia.

Keywords: muscle strength; power; team-sports; resistance training; agility; athletic performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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