Identifying key performance tests in differentiating starting and substitute women Rugby players: a discriminant...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Identifying key performance indicators is crucial for talent identification and player development in elite sports.
• Rugby demands a diverse range of physical attributes, making performance differentiation between starting and substitute players essential for strategic team management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine which performance tests possess the highest discriminatory power between starting and substitute female rugby players.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing player assessment and selection processes in women's rugby.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four female rugby players were categorized into starting and substitute groups.
• Performance was assessed using Wingate, 30m sprints, squat jump, visual reaction, and VO2max tests.
• Independent sample t-tests, Cohen's d effect sizes, and discriminant function analysis were employed.

Main Results:

• Starting players exhibited significantly superior performance across all tested variables compared to substitutes.
• Discriminant function analysis highlighted maximum sprint speed and mean Wingate power (Winmean) as the most effective differentiators (87.5% accuracy).
• Other discriminatory tests included 5m sprint, peak Wingate power (Winpeak), and performance decrease (PD), each with 83.3% accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Maximum sprint speed and mean Wingate power are recommended for their high discriminatory capabilities in assessing female rugby players.
• These validated performance metrics can enhance the accuracy of player evaluation, training prescription, and selection decisions in women's rugby.