Need a break? The locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads of women’s rugby league match-play following various between-match turnaround durations

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The study investigated the locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads of female rugby league players following various between-match turnaround durations. Specifically, the study examined the (1) pacing of locomotor and tackle loads across the time-course of a match and; (2) whole-match and peak locomotor and tackle loads of match-play.

Methods

Microtechnology data were collected from elite female rugby league players (n = 172) representing all National Rugby League Women’s teams (n = 6 teams) across two seasons. Players were categorised into backs, adjustables, forwards or interchange players. Data was calculated for the whole-match (m), per minute (m.min⁻¹) and peak (running: m.min⁻¹; acceleration: m.s⁻²) locomotor and tackle loads (number and efficiency (%)) of match-play. The pacing as well as the locomotor and tackle loads of match-play were examined following short (≤6 days), normal (7 days) or long (≥8 days) turnarounds.

Results

The pacing profile of playing positions varied across short, normal and long match turnarounds. Trivial to moderate differences existed in the whole-match, per minute and peak locomotor loads across match turnaround durations (effect size ≤ 1.2).

Conclusions

Following various between-match turnaround durations (i.e., short, normal and long match turnarounds), there were variations in the locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads whereby, the pacing profile of positional groups was more affected than the load profile. The findings can be used in applied settings to guide the recovery strategies and training plans of female rugby league players to optimise performance and wellbeing across various match turnaround durations.

KEYWORDS:

• Contact sport
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• locomotion
• match scheduling
• microtechnology

Disclosure statement

The dataset underpinning this work was routinely collected by the National Rugby League. Simon Buxton holds employment with the National Rugby League as the Elite Female Performance Manager.

Data availability statement

The authors do not have consent for the data to be shared publicly, therefore the dataset underpinning this research is not available.

Additional information

Funding

The authors report that the National Rugby League provided support in the form of Research Funding for Cloe Cummins.