Die effek van 'n weerstandskondisioneringsprogram op enkele morfologiese, fisieke en motoriese komponente van O/19-klubrugbyspelers tydens 'n rugbyseisoen

Abstract

THE EFFECT OF A RESISTANCE CONDITIONING PROGRAM ON CERTAIN MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND MOTOR ABILITY COMPONENTS OF U/19 CLUB-RUGBY PLAYERS DURING THE COURSE OF A RUGBY SEASON. The research literature reveals that the demands that are placed on rugby players makes the development of certain physical (leg and upper arm-chest strength as well as abdominal and upper-arm-chest strength endurance), motor ability (speed over 10 m, 20 m and 30 m, explosive leg power and agility) and morphological components (percentage body fat, stature and body mass) of the utmost importance. In spite of the fact that a few studies exist which investigated the positive effect of a periodized resistance program, a leak of significant evidence with regard to the effect of resistance programmes on the physical, motor ability and morphological profile of rugby players is still evident. In the light of this problem the purpose of this study was firstly to determine the effect of a scientifically structured resistance conditioning program during the course of a season on certain morphological, physical and motor ability components of u/19 club rugby players. Secondly, the study aimed at determining if the structured resistance conditioning program during the course of a season effected the morphological, physical and motor ability components of the player groups significantly different. The subjects in the study were 9 tight forward, 16 loose forward and 19 back line u/19 club rugby players (x=l8.6±0.58 years) of the PUK Rugby Institute. The players' physical, motor ability and morphological components were evaluated at the start (Tl), during (T2) and at the end of the season (T3) by using a rugby-specific test battery. The test results of the three test occasions were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, while the significance of differences between the three test occasions and between the various positional groups were analyzed by means of effect size as well as eta square methods respectively.

The results showed that the speed (10 m, 20 m and 30 m) as well as agility of all three groups of players improved significantly during the course of the season. These changes can possibly be attributed to the resistance conditioning program that was followed during the season, but the normal practice sessions and matches could also have played a role. The players' explosive leg power, maximal leg and upper arm chest strength also showed improvements through out the season, although thus was not significant. The percentage body fat also did not demonstrate a significant reduction fat during the course of the season. The various positional groups demonstrated practical significant differences between the testing sessions (Tl , T2, T3) with regard to stature, body mass, percentage body fat, speed over 20 m and 30 m, agility and explosive leg power. Some of the differences between the groups were already evident at the first testing session (Tl), which is an indication that positional demands do play a role in determining the distinctive physical, motor ability and morphological components for each positional group. The conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that a scientifically structured and rugby-specific resistance conditioning program does have a practical significant effect on certain morphological, physical and motor ability components of u/19 club rugby players during the course of a season. The resistance conditioning program did, however, have a more pronounced influence on motor ability components (speed and agility) compared to the physical and morphological components during the course of the season. Furthermore, it was also demonstrated that the structured resistance conditioning program also had a more pronounced effect on the various differences between the testing occasions among tight forward and back line players when these player groups are compared. The field practice sessions and additional conditioning program ( e.g. speed, agility) that was compiled by the rugby coaches for the players was not documented or taken into account during the statistical analysis of the study. This is regarded as a shortcoming in the current study and should be addressed in further studies of this kind.

The implementation and execution of resistance conditioning programs by rugby players during the rugby season, is however, very important for the development of rugby potential.