Physical Characteristics and Match Performance in Rugby Sevens Alex Ross A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2015 Primary Supervisor: Dr. Nicholas Gill Associate Supervisor: Prof. John Cronin Sports Performance Research Institute of New Zealand AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand Table of Contents ATTESTATION OF AUTHORSHIP ................................................................................................ V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................. VI LIST OF CO-AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS ............................................................................... VII LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................. IX LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................ X ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... XI Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................... 1 PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Rationale and Significance of Research ........................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose of Research................................................................................................................ 3 1.3 Significance of Thesis .............................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Structure of the Thesis ........................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 ................................................................................................................................... 7 MATCH ANALYSIS AND PLAYER CHARACTERISTICS IN RUGBY SEVENS ...................... 7 2.0 Lead Summary ........................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Match Demands ................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 Time-motion Analysis ............................................................................................................. 10 2.2.2 Notational Analysis .................................................................................................................. 13 2.2.3 Differences in Match Demands between Rugby Sevens and Fifteen-a-side Rugby Union ............................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.4 The Relationship between Physical Measures and Match Skills ........................... 16 2.3 Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics ............................................... 17 2.3.1 Anthropometry .......................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.2 Speed.............................................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.3 Muscular Strength and Power ............................................................................................. 23 2.3.4 Maximal Aerobic Power ......................................................................................................... 25 2.3.5 Repeated Sprint Ability .......................................................................................................... 26 2.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 27 Chapter 3 ................................................................................................................................ 29 THE MATCH DEMANDS OF INTERNATIONAL RUGBY SEVENS ....................................... 29 3.0 Prelude ....................................................................................................................................... 30 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 31 3.2 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 32 3.2.1 Statistical Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 33 3.4 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 34 3.5 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 39 3.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 43 3.7 Practical Applications ........................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 4 ................................................................................................................................ 45 A COMPARISON OF THE MATCH DEMANDS OF INTERNATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL RUGBY SEVENS ............................................................................................................................... 45 4.0 Prelude ....................................................................................................................................... 46 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 47 4.2 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 48 4.2.1 Statistical analysis ........................................................................................................................ 51 4.3 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 51 4.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 54 4.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 57 II Chapter 5 ................................................................................................................................ 58 A COMPARISON OF THE ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL RUGBY SEVENS PLAYERS ..................................... 58 5.0 Prelude ....................................................................................................................................... 59 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 60 5.2 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 61 5.2.1 Anthropometry .............................................................................................................................. 62 5.2.2 Speed .................................................................................................................................................. 62 5.2.3 Power ................................................................................................................................................. 63 5.2.4 Repeat Sprint Ability (RSA) ...................................................................................................... 64 5.2.5 Upper-Body Strength .................................................................................................................. 64 5.2.6 Maximal Aerobic Capacity ......................................................................................................... 64 5.2.7 Statistical Analyses ....................................................................................................................... 65 5.3 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 65 5.3.1 International vs. provincial players ...................................................................................... 65 5.3.2 Forwards vs. backs ....................................................................................................................... 66 5.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 67 5.5 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................