title: Effects of a short-term pre-season training programme on the body composition and anaerobic performance of professional rugby union players.
abstract: Pre-season rugby training develops the physical requisites for competition and consists of a high volume of resistance training and anaerobic and aerobic conditioning. However, the effects of a rugby union pre-season in professional athletes are currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a 4-week pre-season on 33 professional rugby union players. Bench press and box squat increased moderately (13.6 kg, 90% confidence limits +/-2.9 kg and 17.6 +/- 8.0 kg, respectively) over the training phase. Small decreases in bench throw (70.6 +/- 53.5 W), jump squat (280.1 +/- 232.4 W), and fat mass (1.4 +/- 0.4 kg) were observed. In addition, small increases were seen in fat-free mass (2.0 +/- 0.6 kg) and flexed upper-arm girth (0.6 +/- 0.2 cm), while moderate increases were observed in mid-thigh girth (1.9 +/- 0.5 cm) and perception of fatigue (0.6 +/- 0.4 units). Increases in strength and body composition were observed in elite rugby union players after 4 weeks of intensive pre-season training, but this may have been the result of a return to fitness levels prior to the off-season. Decreases in power may reflect high training volumes and increases in perceived of fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport and Recreation Research New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. christosa@chiefs.co.nz
authors.forename: Christos K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Argus
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: Will G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: C Martyn
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Beaven
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult