The Upper and Lower Body Aerobic Fitness of Semi-elite Rugby League Players

Dale Lovell; Leonie Harvey; Matthew Bousson; Chris McLellan

doi:10.4172/JAFO.1000101

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The Upper and Lower Body Aerobic Fitness of Semi-elite Rugby League Players

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

The Upper and Lower Body Aerobic Fitness of Semi-elite Rugby League Players

Dale Lovell, Leonie Harvey, Matthew Bousson and Chris McLellan

Aerobics & Fitness, Vol.1(1)

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/JAFO.1000101

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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science

maximal oxygen consumption

arm ergometry

rugby

high-intensity

game

fitness

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the upper and lower body aerobic capacity of semi-elite Rugby League (RL) players. Methods: Twenty-two semi-elite RL players and 24 physically active but untrained men completed a maximal oxygen consumption test (VO2 max test) on a treadmill and electronic arm ergometer in a randomized order. Percent body fat was calculated from the sum of six skinfolds. Results: Lower and upper body absolute (P=0.03 and P=0.02 respectively) but not relative VO2 max was higher in the RL group compared to the control group. Upper body peak power (P=0.001), ventilation (P=0.05) and lactate concentration (P=0.03) were higher in the RL group compared to the control group. Maximum heart rate was lower during arm ergometry for both groups (P ≤ 0.001) compared to predicted and treadmill values. Conclusions: The results show that while semi-elite RL players have above average lower body aerobic capacity their upper body aerobic capacity is not well developed and similar to untrained men. Coaches and players need to implement separate and dedicated training programs to enhance the development of the upper body aerobic system in RL players. Upper body training should be based on maximal heart rate values achieved during upper body maximal testing.

Details

Title: The Upper and Lower Body Aerobic Fitness of Semi-elite Rugby League Players
Authors: Dale Lovell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Leonie Harvey (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Matthew Bousson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Chris McLellan (Author) - Bond University
Publication details: Aerobics & Fitness, Vol.1(1); 5
Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.4172/JAFO.1000101
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016 Lovell DI, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450244102621
Output Type: Journal article

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