| dc.description.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. | en_US |
