title: Match-related fatigue reduces physical and technical performance during elite rugby league match-play: a case study.
abstract: This study examined the influence of match-related fatigue on physical and technical skill performance in ball playing positions at two different levels of rugby league competition. Time-motion analyses were performed using global positioning systems from 6 elite National Rugby League (NRL) and 11 junior elite National Youth Competition (NYC) players from 45 matches. A standardised 5-point technical coding criteria was used to qualitatively assess skill involvements during match-play. The distance travelled in the 0-5 and 40-45 min period were significantly higher compared to the 30-35, 35-40, 70-75 and 75-80 min periods (P < 0.001). Skill rating and involvements were higher in the 0-5 and 40-45 min compared to 70-75 and 75-80 min periods (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).There was no significant difference in the number of physical collisions between the 5-min periods (P = 0.051). Following the peak 5-min bout of exercise intensity there were reductions in distance (P < 0.001), quality of skill involvements (P < 0.001), number of involvements (P < 0.001) and collisions (P < 0.001). Elite NRL and NYC "ball players" exhibit reductions in physical performance towards the end of matches and following brief periods of intense exercise. There also appears to be a reduction in technical performance for NRL and NYC ball players, which may be attributable to match-related fatigue.
authors.affiliation: a Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, UTS: Health, University of Technology , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kempton
authors.forename: Anita C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sirotic
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005221:Fatigue; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012420:Running; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult