Assessing pre-season workload variation in professional rugby union players by comparing three acute:Chronic workload ratio models based on playing positions.

Quantifying the pre-season workload of professional Rugby Union players, in relation to their respective positions not only provides crucial insights into their physical demands and training needs but also underscores the significance of the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) in assessing workload. However, given the diversity in ACWR calculation methods, their applicability requires further exploration. As a result, this study aims to analyze the workload depending on the player's positions and to compare three ACWR calculation methods.

Optimization of training for professional rugby union players: investigating the impact of different small-sided games models on GPS-derived performance metrics.

Professional rugby union players can improve their performance by engaging in small-sided games (SSGs), which simulate the movement patterns of the game. This study collected metrics related to running performance and mechanical workload and their relative values from both forward and back positions, aiming to explore the impact of different SSGs factors on athlete workload, as well as the workload difference between official games (OGs) and SSGs. The monitored GPS data were collected from SSGs with different player numbers and pitch sizes (five sessions), SSG rules (5 weeks, four sessions per week), and OGs conducted throughout the year.