Ecological Validity and Reliability of the Rugby Sevens Simulation Protocol

• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2015-0487
• Publication Date: 2015-12-04T16:46:44Z
• Authors: Nicola Furlan; Mark Waldron; Mark Osborne; Adrian J. Gray
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Movement; Physical Exertion; Football; Reproducibility of Results; Athletic Performance; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Heart Rate; Time and Motion Studies; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Lactic Acid

To assess the ecological validity of Rugby Sevens Simulation Protocol (R7SP) and to evaluate its interday reliability.Ten male participants (20 ± 2 y, 74 11 kg) completed trials R7SP, separated by 7 d. The R7SP comprised typical running collision activities, based on data recorded during international rugby sevens match play. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously participants' movements were through a 20-Hz global positioning system unit. Blood lactate rating perceived exertion collected before immediately after 1st 2nd halves R7SP.The average activity profile 117 5 m/min, which 27 m/min covered at high speed, with calculated energetic demand 1037 581 J/kg, ~40% expended above 19 W/kg. Mean HR 88% 4% maximal HR. Participants spent ~45% 27% time 90% (t >90%HRmax). There no significant differences between trials, except for R7SP. majority measured variables demonstrated between-trials coefficient variation (CV%) lower than 5%. measurements (14-20% CV) t >90%HRmax (26% less reliable variables. In most cases, moderate worthwhile change higher CV%.The replicates responses It is simulation protocol that can be used in research environment detect systematic changes selected performance