Differences in the high speed match-play characteristics of rugby league players before, during and after a period of tramseridian transition

Abstract

There is a paucity of information comparing competitive rugby league match play dynamics between northern and southern hemispheres. Notably, differences in the match demands of games played in an intensive period have not previously been reported. This study is the first to assess such demands, quantified using GPS/accelerometer technology, during a competitive three game period that comprised two games in England, interspersed with one game in Australia. The three games were completed over a period of 23 days. In-game data from fifteen elite level rugby league players were collected. The focus was to assess differences in activity profiles undertaken in each game. There were significant increases in the total number of high speed sprints, distance covered at high speed and acceleration/deceleration efforts undertaken in Australia when compared to England. No significant differences in other key performance indicators were observed. The current findings demonstrate minimal differences in the activity profiles of game play in elite professional rugby league, with the exception of high-speed activity and acceleration/deceleration efforts. The European team were defeated in their game in Australia, with clearly higher levels of total high speed sprints, acceleration and deceleration efforts being observed in that game when compared with games undertaken in England. Such findings emphasise the continuing use of GPS/accelerometer technologies in determining in-game performance characteristics associated with likely success, though the milieu of factors contributing to success must be considered in entirety.