title: Player Responses to Match and Training Demands During an Intensified Fixture Schedule in Professional Rugby League: A Case Study.
abstract: Player loads and fatigue responses are reported in 15 professional rugby league players (24.3 ± 3.8 y) during a period of intensified fixtures. Repeated measures of internal and external loads, perceived well-being, and jump flight time were recorded across 22 d, comprising 9 training sessions and matches on days 5, 12, 15, and 21 (player exposure: 3.6 ± 0.6 matches). Mean training loads (session rating of perceived exertion × duration) between matches were 1177, 1083, 103, and 650 AU. Relative distance in match 1 (82 m/min) and match 4 (79 m/min) was very likely lower in match 2 (76 m/min) and likely higher in match 3 (86 m/min). High-intensity running (≥5.5 m/s) was likely to very likely lower than match 1 (5 m/min) in matches 2-4 (2, 4, and 3 m/min, respectively). Low-intensity activity was likely to very likely lower than match 1 (78 m/min) in match 2 (74 m/min) and match 4 (73 m/min) but likely higher in match 3 (81 m/min). Accumulated accelerometer loads for matches 1-4 were 384, 473, 373, and 391 AU, respectively. Perceived well-being returned to baseline values (~21 AU) before all matches but was very likely to most likely lower the day after each match (~17 AU). Prematch jump flight times were likely to most likely lower across the period, with mean values of 0.66, 0.65, 0.62, and 0.64 s before matches 1-4, respectively. Across a 22-d cycle with fixture congestion, professional rugby league players experience cumulative neuromuscular fatigue and impaired match running performance.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Twist
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Highton
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mill
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Close
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D063806:Myalgia / Q000503:physiopathology; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: congestion; fatigue; load; team sport