Pacing characteristics of whole and part-game players in professional rugby union

Introduction: Contemporary theories on players’ intensity distribution in team sports suggest they regulate their outputs using pacing strategies. There is currently limited information on the effect of bout duration on pacing and movement patterns in rugby union match play. This study investigated the effect of different bout duration types (whole game, starter or finisher) on movement patterns of professional rugby union players within different position groups (forwards and backs).
Methods: Global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometer data were collected from 100 professional match participations to determine temporal effects on movement patterns.
Results: For forwards, finishers (players who entered the game as substitutes) demonstrated significantly greater high-speed running distance (% difference, ± 90%CI; magnitude based inference and effect size) ( 55, ±17%; very likely large) and acceleration frequency (+ 78, ±59%; very likely large). Backs demonstrated no significant bout effects, but starters (players who started the game and were later substituted) tended (p = 0.07) to display greater high speed running distance than whole game players (+27, ±21%; ES = likely medium). Forwards displayed “slow-positive” pacing strategies regardless of bout type, while backs displayed “flat” pacing strategies.
Conclusions: Forwards and backs adopt different pacing strategies regardless of bout type, with forwards demonstrating progressively greater performance decrements over the course of the match. These findings reflect differing physical demands, notably contact and running loads, of players in different positions.

https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2019/v31i1a7466