Changes over 70 Weeks in Body Weight and Performance Variables in College-Aged Women 15s Rugby Players Using In-Person- and Online-Training Supervision

Abstract

Purpose

This longitudinal study investigated the potential enhancement of one physical and nine performance variables of New Zealand Rugby-Otago Rugby Football Union Academy college-age women student-athletes (NZORFUSA) using in-person- and non-video online-training (online) supervision.

Methods

Recruited NZORFUSA followed a periodised training protocols over 70-weeks. During weeks 1–35 and weeks 53–70 (in-season), the NZORFUSA received 25-h of in-person supervision, participated in 15-h of team practice and game play each week. Over weeks 36–52 (off-season), due to the NZORFUSA returning home over the college summer break, NZORFUSA received online supervision. Performance assessments occurred on weeks 1, 31, 53 and 70. During each testing session, body weight, acceleration, anaerobic endurance, lower-body power, speed, and upper-body strength performance data were collected. Data from weeks 1–70 are presented in this paper; weeks 1–31 and 1–53 data were previously published.

Results

Over 70-weeks of in-person-, online-, and again in-person supervision, mean data showed a decrease in body weight [effect size, Cohen's d =  0.12, trivial; 95% confidence interval (CI): 29.4–127.7] and showed improvements in performance variables (large effect size, d = 1.49–4.33), including lower-body power (CI: 39.9–47.5), upper-body bench press strength (CI: 29.7–132.3) and anaerobic endurance; for the latter performance variable, to complete the 40 m repeat sprints needs less effort (CI: 81.3–95.5) with concurrent lower fatigue level being achieved (CI: 8.08–9.77).

Conclusion

Physical and performance enhancement for Academy women student-athletes with in-person, online, and again in-person supervision over 70-weeks is attainable. Future longitudinal research is needed to assist performance enhancement for this cohort.

Keywords

15s Rugby / Female student-athletes / Physical and performance variables / Training supervision

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