title: Physiological demands of women's rugby union: time-motion analysis and heart rate response.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the physical demands of women's rugby union match play using time-motion analysis and heart rate (HR) response. Thirty-eight premier club level female rugby players, ages 18-34 years were videotaped and HRs monitored for a full match. Performances were coded into 12 different movement categories: 5 speeds of locomotion (standing, walking, jogging, striding, sprinting), 4 forms of intensive non-running exertion (ruck/maul/tackle, pack down, scrum, lift) and 3 discrete activities (kick, jump, open field tackle). The main results revealed that backs spend significantly more time sprinting and walking whereas forwards spend more time in intensive non-running exertion and jogging. Forwards also had a significantly higher total work frequency compared to the backs, but a higher total rest frequency compared to the backs. In terms of HR responses, forwards displayed higher mean HRs throughout the match and more time above 80% of their maximum HR than backs. In summary, women's rugby union is characterised by intermittent bursts of high-intensity activity, where forwards and backs have similar anaerobic energy demands, but different specific match demands.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada T6G 2H9.
authors.forename: Jody Lynn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Virr
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Game
authors.forename: Gordon John
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Syrotuik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult