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Relative Acceleration and Maximum Velocity in Rugby Players According to Age Category and Playing Position

Authors :
Zabaloy, Santiago
Freitas, Tomás T.
Alcaraz, Pedro E.
Gálvez-González, Javier
Pereira, Lucas A.
Comyns, Tom
Loturco, Irineu
Healy, Robin
Source :
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research; October 2024, Vol. 38 Issue: 10 p1778-1785, 8p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Zabaloy, S, Freitas, TT, Alcaraz, PE, Gálvez-González, J, Pereira, LA, Comyns, T, Loturco, I, and Healy, R. Relative acceleration and maximum velocity in rugby players according to age category and playing position. J Strength Cond Res38(10): 1778–1785, 2024—This study aimed to: (a) assess the intrasession reliability of the acceleration time constant (i.e., τ) and τ-derived measures; (b) analyze the influence of τ and maximum velocity (Vmax) on 40-m sprint performance and to compare various sprint-related outcomes among rugby players from different playing positions and age categories; and (c) explore the associations between τ and several sprint performance metrics. A total of 300 male rugby players volunteered to participate in this study and were divided into age categories (i.e., under-14 [U14]: n= 91, age: 12.6 ± 0.5 years; under-16 [U16]: n= 85, age: 14.8 ± 0.5 years; under-18 [U18]: n= 75, age: 16.6 ± 0.5 years; and Seniors: n= 49, age: 24.2 ± 4.1 years). The results demonstrated good to excellent reliability for all measured parameters (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75 and coefficient of variation <9.0%). Younger players (i.e., U14 and U16) displayed lower τ values (effect size: moderate to large; p< 0.02) compared with their older peers (i.e., U18 and Seniors), regardless of their playing position. Moreover, τ was associated with sprint performance metrics at varying levels of correlations (Rho: small to almost perfect; p< 0.001). In conclusion, younger players exhibited lower τ values than their older counterparts, irrespective of their playing positions. The model employed in this study demonstrated its accuracy in assessing several key sprint performance metrics, offering insights that can enhance sprint training programs for rugby players, which can be based on the associations observed among these different variables.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10648011 and 15334287
Volume :
38
Issue :
10
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs68616289
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004861