A 20×20m repeated sprint field test replicates the demands of wheelchair rugby.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the physiological responses to, and the agreement between, a 20×20m repeated sprint field test and wheelchair rugby game play, as well as the reliability of the test.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and longitudinal.

METHODS

Heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([La]), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected in nineteen elite wheelchair rugby athletes before, during, and after a 20×20m repeated sprint field test and game play. Times to complete 5, 10, and 20m during the field test were also collected.

RESULTS

Peak HR and peak [La] were positively correlated during the field test (r=0.470, p=0.043), as were peak HR and peak speed (r=0.493, p=0.031), and peak [La] and peak speed (r=0.559, p=0.013). During game play, peak [La] was correlated with peak RPE (rho=0.703, p=0.001). Intra-class correlations (ICCs) between the field test and game play were significant for peak HR (ICC=0.922, p<0.001) and peak [La] (ICC=0.845, p<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between HR and [La] obtained during the field test and game play and excellent between-day reliability of the 20×20m sprint test.

CONCLUSIONS

The physiological demands of a 20×20m repeated sprint field test are similar to those of elite wheelchair rugby game play and the test is highly reliable. This simple to implement field test may be useful as a component of team selection and in assessing the effectiveness of training interventions or monitoring athletes across training phases.