Countermovement Jump is Not Affected During Final Competition Preparation Periods in Elite Rugby Sevens Players

Abstract

The changes in daily countermovement jump (CMJ) and activity profile of male rugby 7 players during the 3-week period immediately before international competition were examined. Velocity and distance data were measured via a 10-Hz global positioning system from 12 international-level athletes on 11 ± 1 occasions. Work rate (m∣min), total distance (TD), high-intensity distance (HID, >5.00 m·s(-1)), high-intensity work rate (meter per minute, >5.00 m·s(-1)), tackle number, and repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIEs) defined the activity profile along with session duration (minutes). CMJ performance was measured via percentage change from an individual best using a 5-jump protocol. A one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was selected to determine any change in CMJ performance across the training mesocycle. Effect sizes (ESs) were calculated to determine the magnitude of effects. No significant differences were noted in CMJ percentage change (p = 0.27). Significant differences were noted in work rate (p = 0.001, ES [range across the 3-week mesocycle]: 0.13-0.68), HID work rate (p = 0.001, ES: 0.35-0.75), RHIEs count (p = 0.002, ES: 0.03-0.61), tackle count (p < 0.001, ES: 0.13-0.90), HID (p < 0.003, ES: -0.32 to 0.32), and training duration (p < 0.001, ES: 0.37-1.36). No significant differences were noted in HI accelerations, player load, or TD. Rugby sevens players maintain CMJ performance throughout the final preparation period when the training load is managed.