Need a break? The locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads of women's rugby league match-play following various between-match turnaround durations.

Objectives: The study investigated the locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads of female rugby league players following various between-match turnaround durations. Specifically, the study examined the (1) pacing of locomotor and tackle loads across the time-course of a match and; (2) whole-match and peak locomotor and tackle loads of match-play.

Methods: Microtechnology data were collected from elite female rugby league players ( = 172) representing all National Rugby League Women's teams ( = 6 teams) across two seasons.

The propensity of non-concussive and concussive head contacts during elite-level women's rugby league matches: A prospective analysis of over 14,000 tackle events.

Objectives: Identify the frequency, propensity, and factors related to tackle events which result in contact with the head in elite-level women's rugby league.

Design: Prospective video analysis study.

Methods: Video footage from 59 Women's Super League matches were analysed (n = 14,378 tackle events).

Changing gears: data-driven velocity zones to support monitoring and research in men's rugby league.

Objectives: The study aimed to (1) apply a data-mining approach to league-wide microtechnology data to identify absolute velocity zone thresholds and (2) apply the respective velocity zones to microtechnology data to examine the locomotor demands of elite match-play.

Methods: League-wide microtechnology data were collected from elite male rugby league players representing all National Rugby League (NRL) teams (n = 16 teams, one excluded due to a different microtechnology device; n = 4836 files) over one season. To identify four velocity zones, spectral clustering with a beta smoothing cut-off of 0.

Injury risk factors and barriers to their mitigation for women playing rugby league: a Delphi study.

This study aimed to 1) develop a consensus (≥70% agreement between experts) on injury risk factors specific to women playing rugby league, 2) establish the importance of the identified injury risk factors and the feasibility of mitigating these risk factors and 3) establish context specific barriers to injury risk management. Aim 1: A Delphi panel, consisting of 12 experts in rugby league and injury (e.g.

How fast is fast? Defining velocity zones in women's rugby league.

Objectives: The study aimed to: 1) apply a data-mining approach to identify velocity zone thresholds for female rugby league players and 2) apply these velocity zones to examine the locomotor demands of match-play.

Methods: Microtechnology data were collected from elite female rugby league players representing all National Rugby League Women's teams (n = 85 players; n = 224 files) over one season. Spectral clustering with a beta smoothing cut-off of 0.

Women's Rugby League: Positional Groups and Peak Locomotor Demands.

The aims of this study were to (a) use a data-based approach to identify positional groups within National Rugby League Women's (NRLW) match-play and (b) quantify the peak locomotor demands of NRLW match-play by positional groups. Microtechnology (Global Navigational Satellite System [GNSS] and integrated inertial sensors; = 142 files; = 76 players) and match statistics ( = 238 files; = 80 players) were collected from all NRLW teams across the 2019 season. Data-based clustering of match statistics was utilized to identify positional clusters through classifying individual playing positions into distinct positional groups.

A new energetics model for the assessment of the power-duration relationship during over-ground running.

We evaluated the reliability of an over-ground running three-minute all-out test (3MT) and compared this to traditional multiple-visit testing to determine the critical speed (CS) and distance > CS (´). Using a novel energetics model during the 3MT, critical power (CP) and work > CP () were also evaluated for reliability and compared to the multiple-visit tests. Over-ground running speed was measured using Global Positioning Systems during fixed-speed trials on a 400 m track to exhaustion, at four intensities corresponding to: (i) maximal oxygen uptake (V), (ii) 110% , (iii) Δ70% (i.

Correction to: Quantifying the Collision Dose in Rugby League: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Critical Analysis.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

The Validity of Automated Tackle Detection in Women's Rugby League.

Cummins, C, Charlton, G, Naughton, M, Jones, B, Minahan, C, and Murphy, A. The validity of automated tackle detection in women's rugby league. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1951-1955, 2022-This study assessed the validity of microtechnology devices to automatically detect and differentiate tackles in elite women's rugby league match-play.

The relative contribution of training intensity and duration to daily measures of training load in professional rugby league and union.

This study examined the relative contribution of exercise duration and intensity to team-sport athlete's training load. Male, professional rugby league (n = 10) and union (n = 22) players were monitored over 6- and 52-week training periods, respectively. Whole-session (load) and per-minute (intensity) metrics were monitored (league: session rating of perceived exertion training load [sRPE-TL], individualised training impulse, total distance, BodyLoad™; union: sRPE-TL, total distance, high-speed running distance, PlayerLoad™).

Time to embrace the complexity when analysing GPS data? A systematic review of contextual factors on match running in rugby league.

This systematic review aimed to identify and summarise associations between currently identified contextual factors and match running in senior male professional rugby league. Eligible articles included at least one contextual factor and used GPS to measure at least one displacement variable within competitive senior, male, professional rugby league matches. Of the 15 included studies, the identified contextual factors were grouped into factors related to individual characteristics (n = 3), match result (n = 4), team strength (n = 2), opposition strength (n = 3), match conditions (n = 6), technical and tactical demands (n = 6), spatial and temporal characteristics (n = 7), and nutrition (n = 1).

Quantifying the Collision Dose in Rugby League: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Critical Analysis.

Background: Collisions (i.e. tackles, ball carries, and collisions) in the rugby league have the potential to increase injury risk, delay recovery, and influence individual and team performance.

Isolated & Combined Wearable Technology Underestimate the Total Energy Expenditure of Professional Young Rugby League Players; A Doubly Labelled Water Validation Study.

Costello, N, Deighton, K, Cummins, C, Whitehead, S, Preston, T, and Jones, B. Isolated & combined wearable technology underestimate the total energy expenditure of professional young rugby league players; a doubly labelled water validation study. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3398-3403, 2022-Accurately determining total energy expenditure (TEE) enables the precise manipulation of energy balance within professional collision-based sports.

Exercise tolerance during flat over-ground intermittent running: modelling the expenditure and reconstitution kinetics of work done above critical power.

Purpose: We compared a new locomotor-specific model to track the expenditure and reconstitution of work done above critical power (W´) and balance of W´ (W´) by modelling flat over-ground power during exhaustive intermittent running.

Method: Nine male participants completed a ramp test, 3-min all-out test and the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15 IFT), and performed a severe-intensity constant work-rate trial (S) at the maximum oxygen uptake velocity (vV̇O). Four intermittent trials followed: 60-s at vV̇O + 50% Δ (Δ = vV̇O - critical velocity [V]) interspersed by 30-s in light (S; 40% vV̇O), moderate (S; 90% gas-exchange threshold velocity [V]), heavy (S; V + 50% Δ [Δ = V - V]), or severe (S; vV̇O - 50% Δ) domains.

"How Am I Going, Coach?"-The Effect of Augmented Feedback During Small-Sided Games on Locomotor, Physiological, and Perceptual Responses.

Purpose: To investigate whether providing global positioning system feedback to players between bouts of small-sided games (SSGs) can alter locomotor, physiological, and perceptual responses.

Methods: Using a reverse counterbalanced design, 20 male university rugby players received either feedback or no feedback during "off-side" touch rugby SSGs. Eight 5v5, 6 × 4-minute SSGs were played over 4 d.

Match and Training Injuries in Women's Rugby Union: A Systematic Review of Published Studies.

Background: There is a paucity of studies reporting on women's injuries in rugby union.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to describe the injury epidemiology for women's rugby-15s and rugby-7s match and training environments.

Methods: Systematic searches of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, CINAHL(EBSCO) and ScienceDirect databases using keywords.

Traumatic brain injuries in New Zealand: National Insurance (Accident Compensation Corporation) claims from 2012 to 2016.

Aim: To provide epidemiological data and related costs to the national health insurance scheme for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in New Zealand.

Method: A retrospective analytical review utilising detailed descriptive minor and moderate-to-severe epidemiological TBI data obtained from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for 2012-2016. Injuries were analysed by three levels of increasing severity: moderate, moderate-to-serious (MSC) and severe claims categories.

Modelling the relationships between volume, intensity and injury-risk in professional rugby league players.

Objective: This study aimed to: (a) identify the association between external-workloads and injury-risk in the subsequent week; and (b) understand the effectiveness of workload variables in establishing injury-risk.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Workload and injury data (soft-tissue) were collected from forty-eight professional male rugby league players.

Physical Demands of Amateur Domestic and Representative Netball in One Season in New Zealand Assessed Using Heart Rate and Movement Analysis.

King, DA, Cummins, C, Hume, PA, and Clark, TN. Physical demands of amateur domestic and representative netball in one season in New Zealand assessed using heart rate and movement analysis. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 2062-2070, 2020-The purpose of this descriptive cohort study was to describe physical demands of netball for positions and between playing levels using microtechnology.

Modelling Movement Energetics Using Global Positioning System Devices in Contact Team Sports: Limitations and Solutions.

Quantifying the training and competition loads of players in contact team sports can be performed in a variety of ways, including kinematic, perceptual, heart rate or biochemical monitoring methods. Whilst these approaches provide data relevant for team sports practitioners and athletes, their application to a contact team sport setting can sometimes be challenging or illogical. Furthermore, these methods can generate large fragmented datasets, do not provide a single global measure of training load and cannot adequately quantify all key elements of performance in contact team sports.

Sports-related injuries in New Zealand: National Insurance (Accident Compensation Corporation) claims for five sporting codes from 2012 to 2016.

Objectives: To provide epidemiological data and related costs for sport-related injuries of five sporting codes (cricket, netball, rugby league, rugby union and football) in New Zealand for moderate-to-serious and serious injury claims.

Methods: A retrospective analytical review using detailed descriptive epidemiological data obtained from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for 2012-2016.

Results: Over the 5 years of study data, rugby union recorded the most moderate-to-serious injury entitlement claims (25 226) and costs (New Zealand dollars (NZD$)267 359 440 (£139 084 749)) resulting in the highest mean cost (NZD$10 484 (£5454)) per moderate-to-serious injury entitlement claim.

The Fit Matters: Influence of Accelerometer Fitting and Training Drill Demands on Load Measures in Rugby League Players.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between drill type and accelerometer-derived loads during various team-sport activities and examine the influence of unit fitting on these loads.

Methods: Sixteen rugby league players were fitted with microtechnology devices in either manufacturer vests or playing jerseys before completing standardized running, agility, and tackling drills. Two-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) accelerometer loads (BodyLoad™) per kilometer were compared across drills and fittings (ie, vest and jersey).

Importance, Reliability, and Usefulness of Acceleration Measures in Team Sports.

Delaney, JA, Cummins, CJ, Thornton, HR, and Duthie, GM. Importance, reliability and usefulness of acceleration measures in team sports. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3494-3502, 2018-The ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction efficiently is imperative to successful team sports performance.

Energetic Demands of Interchange and Full-Match Rugby League Players.

Cummins, CJ, Gray, AJ, Shorter, KA, Halaki, M, and Orr, R. Energetic demands of interchange and full-match rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3456-3464, 2018-The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the metabolic demands of rugby league for interchange and full-match players in relation to positional groups.