1Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; and 2School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science, Health & Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.
J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Dec;27(12):3266-74. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828f1d74.
The aim of the present study was to examine the positional differences in physical performance measures of professional, semiprofessional, and junior elite rugby league match-play using portable Global Positioning Systems (GPSs). Twelve professional, 12 semiprofessional, and 18 junior elite male rugby league players were monitored during 5 regular-season competition matches using portable GPS software. The mean total distance traveled during professional (8,371 ± 897 m) and semiprofessional (7,277 ± 734 m) match-play was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that traveled during elite junior (4,646 ± 978 m) match-play. Position-specific total distance traveled and distance traveled per minute of playing time were significantly (p < 0.05) less for junior elite backs (5,768 ± 765 m; 74 ± 11 m·min) and forwards (4,774 ± 564 m; 82 ± 5 m·min) in comparison to those in professional (backs: 8,158 ± 673 m; 101 ± 8 m·min and forwards: 8,442 ± 812 m; 98 ± 12 m·min) and semiprofessional (backs: 7,505 ± 765 m; 94 ± 8 m·min and forwards: 6,701 ± 678 m; 89 ± 8 m·min) match-play. Maximum running speed, maximum sprints, and total sprint distance traveled by professional players were all significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those traveled by junior elite players but not semiprofessional players during match-play. Professional backs and forwards performed significantly (p < 0.05) more maximum sprints and traveled greater total distance during match-play in comparison to semiprofessional and junior elite players. The present findings demonstrate minimal differences in the physical performance measures of professional and semiprofessional rugby league match-play. The position-specific performance characteristics of junior elite match-play indicate that current junior elite player-development pathways may not provide adequate preparation for players transitioning into professional competition.
本研究旨在使用便携式全球定位系统（GPS）检测职业、半职业和初级精英橄榄球联赛比赛中身体表现测量的位置差异。12 名职业球员、12 名半职业球员和 18 名初级精英男性橄榄球联赛球员在 5 场常规赛比赛中使用便携式 GPS 软件进行监测。职业（8371 ± 897 m）和半职业（7277 ± 734 m）比赛中的总跑动距离平均值明显（p < 0.05）大于精英青少年（4646 ± 978 m）比赛中的跑动距离。位置特定的总跑动距离和每分钟跑动时间的距离在初级精英队的后卫（5768 ± 765 m；74 ± 11 m·min）和前锋（4774 ± 564 m；82 ± 5 m·min）中明显（p < 0.05）低于职业（后卫：8158 ± 673 m；101 ± 8 m·min 和前锋：8442 ± 812 m；98 ± 12 m·min）和半职业（后卫：7505 ± 765 m；94 ± 8 m·min 和前锋：6701 ± 678 m；89 ± 8 m·min）比赛中的跑动距离。职业球员的最大跑动速度、最大冲刺次数和总冲刺距离均明显（p < 0.05）大于初级精英球员，但在比赛中不比半职业球员大。职业后卫和前锋在比赛中进行的最大冲刺次数和总冲刺距离明显（p < 0.05）多于半职业和初级精英球员。本研究结果表明，职业和半职业橄榄球联赛比赛中的身体表现测量存在最小差异。初级精英比赛的位置特定表现特征表明，目前的初级精英球员发展途径可能无法为球员过渡到职业比赛提供足够的准备。
