A league-wide investigation into variability of rugby league match running from 322 Super League games

Dalton-Barron, Nicholas; Palczewska, Anna; McLaren, Shaun J.; Rennie, Gordon; Beggs, Clive; Roe, Gregory; Jones, Ben

Abstract

Purpose:This study investigated sources of variability in the overall and phase-specific running match characteristics in elite rugby league. Methods:Microtechnology data were collected from 11 Super League (SL) teams, across 322 competitive matches within the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Total distance, high-speed running (HSR) distance (>5.5 m·s−1), average speed, and average acceleration were assessed. Variability was determined using linear mixed models, with random intercepts specified for player, position, match, and club. Results:Large within-player coefficients of variation (CV) were found across whole match, ball-in-play, attack and defence for total distance (CV range = 24% to 35%) and HSR distance (37% to 96%), whereas small to moderate CVs (≤10%) were found for average speed and average acceleration. Similarly, there was higher between-player, -position, and -match variability in total distance and HSR distance when compared with average speed and average acceleration across all periods. All metrics were stable between-teams (≤5%), except HSR distance (16% to 18%). The transition period displayed the largest variability of all phases, especially for distance (up to 42%) and HSR distance (up to 165%). Conclusion:Absolute measures of displacement display large within-player and between-player, -position, and -match variability, yet average acceleration and average speed remain relatively stable across all match-periods.

Citation

Dalton-Barron, N., Palczewska, A., McLaren, S. J., Rennie, G., Beggs, C., Roe, G., & Jones, B. (2021). A league-wide investigation into variability of rugby league match running from 322 Super League games. Science and Medicine in Football, 5(3), 225-233. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2020.1844907

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 27, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 14, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 14, 2021
• Journal: Science and Medicine in Football
• Print ISSN: 2473-3938
• Electronic ISSN: 2473-4446
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 225-233
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2020.1844907
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1272077