Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
06:52
An Inertial Measurement Unit Based Method to Estimate Hip and Knee Joint Kinematics in Team Sport Athletes on the Field
Published on: May 26, 2020
8.7K
Strength and Conditioning and Concurrent Training Practices in Elite Rugby Union
Thomas W Jones1, Andrew Smith, Lindsay S Macnaughton
11Department of Sports Science, ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar;2A S Strength and Conditioning Ltd, United Kingdom;3Nottingham Rugby Club, Nottingham, United Kingdom;4Health and Exercise Sciences Research Group, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom;5Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; and6English Institute of Sport, Sportcity, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|November 22, 2016
Summary
Elite rugby union coaches prioritize strength training, including the clean and back squat, and utilize periodization. Most coaches consider concurrent training effects on strength development when programming.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Strength and Conditioning
- Rugby Union Performance
Background:
- Limited research exists on strength and conditioning (S&C) practices in elite rugby union (RU).
- Understanding current S&C and concurrent training strategies is crucial for practitioners and researchers.
- This study surveyed S&C coaches and sport scientists in elite RU.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail current S&C and concurrent training practices among elite RU coaches and sport scientists.
- To identify common physical testing, strength and power development, and concurrent training strategies.
- To provide insights into programme design and periodization in elite RU.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire comprising 7 sections was developed and distributed to S&C coaches and sport scientists.
- Forty-three practitioners (83% response rate) from elite RU settings responded.
- Data collected included personal details, physical testing, training practices, and concurrent training considerations.
Main Results:
- All respondents believed strength training benefits RU performance, with the clean and back squat identified as key exercises.
- 95% prescribed plyometric exercises, and 88% used periodization strategies.
- 98% conducted physical testing, primarily body composition. 77% considered concurrent training's impact on strength development.
Conclusions:
- Strength and conditioning practices in elite RU are well-established, with a focus on key lifts and periodization.
- Concurrent training is a consideration, with a preference for strength before aerobic training.
- This survey offers a comprehensive overview of S&C in both Northern and Southern Hemisphere RU.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
2.9K
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
2.9K
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
4.8K
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
4.8K
01:24Chest Physiotherapy
2.3K
Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) is a therapeutic technique used in respiratory care to improve ventilation, clear bronchial secretions, and enhance the efficiency of respiratory muscles. This therapy includes three primary procedures: postural drainage, percussion, and vibration. It can be performed on spontaneously breathing patients and those who are intubated and mechanically ventilated.
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
2.3K
01:04Social Facilitation
36.7K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
36.7K
01:20Strength of Cement
703
Strength tests for cement are not performed directly on neat cement paste due to difficulty in obtaining consistent, reliable specimens. Instead, cement is typically tested in the form of cement-sand mortar.
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
703
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
2.4K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
2.4K