Rugby union movement patterns: The impact of fatigue and substitute players

There is currently limited information on the effect of fatigue and the impact of substitutes on movement patterns in rugby union match play. This study investigated the effect of half on movement patterns of whole game players in different positions (backs and forwards), and how these contrast with substitute players. Global positioning system (GPS) data was collected from 105 professional match participations. Relative distance (m.min-1) increased in the second half for whole game players (7 ± 9%), due to an increase in walking distance (1st 29.1 ± 3.9 vs. 2nd 34.2 ± 3.7 m.min-1). High-intensity running distance decreased in the second half for forwards(1st 10.0 ± 5.0 vs. 2nd 8.6 ± 3.8 m.min-1), but increased for backs (1st 10.6 ± 3.2 vs. 2nd 11.4 ± 2.5 m.min-1). Substitutes demonstrated increased relative jogging (Start 19.5 ± 5.0 vs. Sub 23.8 ± 6.3 m.min-1) and striding (Start 7.9 ± 2.4 vs. Sub 10.6 ± 5.5 m.min-1) distance versus whole game players. These findings indicate that fatigue may result in reduced high-intensity running distance and that this effect may be managed through the use of substitutes.

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