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The influence of external loads on post-match neuromuscular fatigue in international rugby union A partial least squares correlational analysis1.75 MB
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
The influence of external loads on post-match neuromuscular fatigue in international rugby union: A partial least squares correlational analysis
Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.42(15), pp.1421-1431
2024
Abstract
The aims were to determine the relationship(s) between match-play external load and post-match neuromuscular fatigue as latent constructs, the contribution of the specific measured variables to these latent constructs, and how these differ between forwards and backs in elite rugby union. Forty-one elite male rugby union players (22 forwards and 19 backs) from the same international rugby union team were tested, with data included from the 2020 and 2021 international seasons (11 matches; 146 player appearances). Player’s match-play external loads were quantified using microtechnology (for locomotor activities) and video analysis (for collision actions). Neuromuscular fatigue was quantified using countermovement jump tests on force plates which were conducted ~ 24 to 48 hours pre- and post-match. Partial least squares correlation (PLSC) leave one variable out (LOVO) procedure established the relative variable contribution to both external load (X matrix) and neuromuscular fatigue (Y matrix) constructs. Linear mixed-effects models were then constructed to determine the variance explained by the latent scores applied to the variables representing these constructs. For external load, both locomotor and collision variables were identified for the forwards and the backs, although the identified variables differed between groups. For neuromuscular fatigue, jump height was identified as a high contributor for the forwards and the backs, with concentric impulse and reactive strength index high contributors only for the backs. The explained variance between the external load and neuromuscular fatigue latent constructs at the individual player level was 4.4% and 32.2% in the forwards and the backs models, respectively. This discrepancy may be explained by differences in match-play external loads and/or the specificity of the tests to measure indicators of fatigue. These may differ due to, for example, the activities undertaken in the different positional groups.
Details
- Title
- The influence of external loads on post-match neuromuscular fatigue in international rugby union: A partial least squares correlational analysis
- Authors
- Mitchell Naughton (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyTannath J Scott (Author) - Leeds Beckett UniversityScott McLean (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems ScienceColin Solomon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems ScienceJack Walsh (Author) - Scottish Rugby Union (United Kingdom)Dan Weaving (Author) - Leeds Beckett University
- Publication details
- Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.42(15), pp.1421-1431
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1080/02640414.2024.2394745
- ISSN
- 1466-447X; 0264-0414
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Grant note
- MN was provided funding through the Australian Commonwealth Government Research Training Program (RTP) as part of his PhD.
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991065007002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Sport Sciences