title: Interrelationships between measured running intensities and agility performance in subelite rugby union players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate agility performance of rugby players using various intensity running tests. A further aim was to investigate if any differences existed between playing positions in relation to agility performance. Nineteen subelite players (mean +/- SD age, 23.0 +/- 5.4 years) participated in the study. Players underwent measurements of anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of four skinfolds). Running tests investigated were speed (10 m and 40 m sprint), agility (T Test and Illinois), and multistage fitness tests (20 m, 10 m, and 5 m), with all tests for agility measured against the Illinois agility test. Results indicated that backline players produced significant correlations (P < 0.05) in agility compared with forwards. The findings indicate that developing or using existing rugby-specific agility programs to aid performance may be of greater benefit and of higher priority in training programs designed for backs rather than forwards.
authors.affiliation: Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jarvis
authors.forename: Lee O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Huw
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiltshire
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D014852:Wales; D055815:Young Adult