title: To Jump or Cycle? Monitoring Neuromuscular Function in Rugby Union Players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate changes in performance of a 6-s cycle-ergometer test (CET) and countermovement jump (CMJ) during a 6-wk training block in professional rugby union players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve young professional rugby union players performed 2 CETs and CMJs on the 1st and 4th mornings of every week before the commencement of daily training during a 6-wk training block. Standardized changes in the highest score of 2 CET and CMJ efforts were assessed using linear mixed modeling and magnitude-based inferences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After increases in training load during wk 3 to 5, moderate decreases in CMJ peak and mean power and small decreases in flight time were observed during wk 5 and 6 that were very likely to almost certainly greater than the smallest worthwhile change (SWC), suggesting neuromuscular fatigue. However, only small decreases, possibly greater than the SWC, were observed in CET peak power. Changes in CMJ peak and mean power were moderately greater than in CET peak power during this period, while the difference between flight time and CET peak power was small.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The greater weekly changes in CMJ metrics in comparison with CET may indicate differences in the capacities of these tests to measure training-induced lower-body neuromuscular fatigue in rugby union players. However, future research is needed to ascertain the specific modes of training that elicit changes in CMJ and CET to determine the efficacy of each test for monitoring neuromuscular function in rugby union players.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roe
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Darrall-Jones
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Till
authors.forename: Padraic
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phibbs
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weakley
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: countermovement jump; cycle-ergometer test; fatigue; performance; team sport