The Argentine Rugby Union is a top-tier rugby nation (ranked 8th according to World Rugby), with the Buenos Aires Rugby Union being the largest competitive league. To date, the training practices of Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches have not yet been documented and analyzed. We used an online survey to characterize the training and testing strategies commonly implemented by Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches, which could serve as a guideline for coaching education programs. Thirty-five rugby strength and conditioning coaches (age: 42.0 ± 8.9 years; professional experience: 16.8 ± 8.3 years) working across 35 clubs (from a total of 40 clubs) participated in the study. The survey consisted of eight sections: 1) background information; 2) strength-power development; 3) speed training; 4) plyometrics; 5) flexibility training; 6) physical testing; 7) technology use; and 8) programming. Overall, Argentinian strength and conditioning coaches did not frequently use periodization strategies to structure programs, reported a progressive reduction in training loads across the season, and prescribed primarily Olympic weightlifting and squat as resistance exercises during different training periods. The analyses of speed training revealed high utilization of form-running, plyometrics, and sport-specific movements. Our results also indicated that physical testing and technology may be affected by the economic difficulties of Argentinian clubs. This study presents new information regarding the training methods adopted by Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches, while providing them with new insights to improve their professional practices. Practitioners from different countries working in competitive rugby leagues can use the information provided here to examine their own practices and implement evidence-based programs for elite rugby players.

Exposure to different types of injuries in rugby union is common. It is important to know about the injury epidemiology for medical teams care in order to optimize players´ performance and the trea...

This study aimed to compare: 1) the effects of a 4-week unresisted vs. resisted sprint training programs (UST and RST with 50% body mass, respectively) on both resisted and unresisted sprint performance; and 2) the effects of these sprint training schemes on various strength-power measures (i.e., one-repetition maximum [1RM] and the isometric squat test (ISqT), eccentric hamstring strength in the Nordic hamstring exercise [NHE], and vertical and horizontal jump distances). Thirty-five under-19 male academy rugby players participated in the study and were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups. Players’ unresisted and resisted (50% BM) 30-m sprint performance, squat 1RM, ISqT, NHE, and jump capabilities were tested on different occasions. Only UST produced a significant reduction in unresisted 30-m sprint time (p < 0.05), whereas both groups exhibited significant changes in resisted sprint times at 10 m and 30 m, as well as maximum velocity (p < 0.005; ES: large). Regarding strength measures, RST led to significant increases in ISqT peak force, horizontal jump distance, and NHE strength (p < 0.011; ES: large). Overall, no significant differences were detected between UST and RST in any of the primary or secondary measures after the intervention. Both training methods were equally effective in improving resisted sprint performance in youth male rugby players. Moreover, UST and RST could be effective options for maintaining or even improving various neuromuscular measures (e.g., dynamic-explosive, isometric, and eccentric strength) when lower limb resistance training is reduced during the competitive season due to the congested schedule.

Objective: To examine the associations between the Functional Movement Screening (FMS™) scores and asymmetries between limbs in the different tasks with non-contact injuries in senior amateur rugby union players. Method The design was a prospective cohort study. Sixty-eight (n = 68) male senior amateur rugby players completed the FMS™, which assesses seven functional movements on a scale of 0 to 3 and provides a total score of up to 21. Players were subsequently monitored for injuries during one competitive season. Likewise, match and training non-contact injuries with the associated variables were collected. Results: Twenty-two (32.3%) players sustained one non-contact injury during the season. The median time lost was 24.5 days (IQR [15; 383]). Injured players showed a mean FMS™ composite of 14.50(SD 1.74), and non-injured showed a mean FMS™ composite of 14.57(SD 2.25). No statistically significant association was found between the presence of non-contact injuries and FMS™ composite score (OR = 0.98 [0.77; 1.27]) or FMS™ categorical score (≤ 14) (OR = 0.64 [0.23; 1.78]). The presence of an asymmetry between limbs in the active straight leg raise was associated with non-contact injuries (OR: 4.69 [1.35 - 17.9]) (p = 0.02). Conclusion: FMS™ composite did not show differences between injured and non-injured players. Asymmetry in the active straight leg raise was strongly associated with non-contact injury occurrence.