INTRODUCTION: In rugby, change of direction (COD) efforts are determinant during match-play as these actions frequently precede decisive game actions (e.g., a try). Thus, investigating players` ability to effectively accelerate, decelerate, and execute cutting and turning maneuvers in multiple directions is essential (1). When assessing COD ability, variables such as COD deficit (CODD, difference in percentage between a linear sprint test and a COD task of equal distance) and deceleration deficit (DD, difference between the time taken to accelerate and come to a complete stop when changing direction in relation to the linear sprint performance) have been shown to provide meaningful and complementary information for coaches (2,3). However, to date, no study has simultaneously assessed both CODD and DD in female rugby sevens. This research aimed to examine the relationships between linear sprint and COD velocities and indirect COD-derived measurements (i.e., CODD, DD) in a sample of elite female rugby athletes. METHODS: Nineteen players (age: 23.7±3.5 years; body mass: 66.4±7.5 kg; height: 168±10 cm) from the Brazilian National Team performed linear sprint (i.e., 15-m) and 505 COD tests. Average velocities, CODD, and DD were computed from the sprint and 505 data. The Pearson product-moment analysis was used to test the correlations among the distinct variables. RESULTS: Linear sprint velocity and COD velocity were not correlated (r=-0.21; p>0.05) but the former was largely associated with CODD (r=0.78; p<0.05). Large inverse relationships were observed between 505 velocity and COD-derived variables (CODD: r=-0.77; p<0.05 and DD: r=-0.79; p<0.05). Finally, a large relationship was observed between CODD and DD (r=0.79; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that, in this specialized sample, athletes with superior linear sprint velocities were not necessarily faster when completing the 505 task (highlighting the specificity of these physical capabilities). Nevertheless, faster players in linear sprinting actions tended to display superior CODD, which suggests that they were less efficient at changing direction (1). The strong negative correlations between 505 velocity and CODD and DD support that performance in this COD maneuver is highly determined by the athletes` capacity to abruptly (and quickly) decelerate and re-accelerate. From a practical perspective, to improve female rugby sevens` players ability to perform 180º directional changes, training strategies should aim to reduce CODD and optimize their deceleration ability instead of focusing on increasing linear sprint capabilities.
© Copyright 2022 27th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Sevilla, 30. Aug - 2. Sep 2022. Published by Faculty of Sport Science - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. All rights reserved.