Effects of In-Season Velocity- Versus Percentage-Based Training in Academy Rugby League Players

• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0058
• Publication Date: 2019-10-31T04:35:11Z
• Authors: Samuel T. Orange; James W. Metcalfe; Ashley Robinson; Mark J. Applegarth; Andreas Liefeith
• Keywords: Squat; Sprint; Strength Training

To compare the effects of velocity-based training (VBT) vs percentage-based (PBT) on strength, speed, and jump performance in academy rugby league players during a 7-wk in-season mesocycle.A total 27 competing Super League U19s Championship were randomized to VBT (n = 12) or PBT 15). Both groups completed resistance-training intervention (2×/wk) that involved back squat. The group used fixed load based percentage 1-repetition maximum (1-RM), whereas modifiable individualized velocity thresholds. Biomechanical perceptual data collected each session. Back-squat 1-RM, countermovement jump, reactive strength index, sprint times, back-squat at 40-90% 1-RM assessed pretraining posttraining.The showed likely most improvements very height, 40% 60% 1-RM. Sessional power greater compared with (standardized mean differences 1.8-2.4), while time under tension stress lower 0.49-0.66). improvement was following difference 0.50).VBT can be implemented competitive season, instead traditional PBT, improve stimuli, decrease stress, promote velocity-specific adaptations.