title: Influence of Number of Contact Efforts on Running Performance During Game-Based Activities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence the number of contact efforts during a single bout has on running intensity during game-based activities and assess relationships between physical qualities and distances covered in each game.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen semiprofessional rugby league players (age 23.6 ± 2.8 y) competed in 3 off-side small-sided games (2 × 10-min halves) with a contact bout performed every 2 min. The rules of each game were identical except for the number of contact efforts performed in each bout. Players performed 1, 2, or 3 × 5-s wrestles in the single-, double-, and triple-contact game, respectively. The movement demands (including distance covered and intensity of exercise) in each game were monitored using global positioning system units. Bench-press and back-squat 1-repetition maximum and the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) assessed muscle strength and high-intensity-running ability, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was little change in distance covered during the single-contact game (ES = -0.16 to -0.61), whereas there were larger reductions in the double- (ES = -0.52 to -0.81) and triple-contact (ES = -0.50 to -1.15) games. Significant relationships (P < .05) were observed between 30-15IFT and high-speed running during the single- (r = .72) and double- (r = .75), but not triple-contact (r = .20) game.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is little change in running intensity when only single contacts are performed each bout; however, when multiple contacts are performed, greater reductions in running intensity result. In addition, high-intensity-running ability is only associated with running performance when contact demands are low.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Rich D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Tim J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Gabbett
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005538:Football / Q000523:psychology; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012420:Running; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult