Effects of preseason training on body composition, running performance, biochemical markers and workload variation in professional rugby union players

Xiaopan Hu; Noe Thierry Baba; Kilian Philippe; Danyang Jiang; Simon Boisbluche; Olivier Maurelli; Jacques Prioux

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16250

Effects of preseason training on body composition, running performance, biochemical markers and workload variation in professional rugby union players

Heliyon. 2023 May 12;9(6):e16250. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16250. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Xiaopan Hu^{1

2

3}, Noe Thierry Baba⁴, Kilian Philippe^{2

3

5}, Danyang Jiang⁶, Simon Boisbluche⁷, Olivier Maurelli⁸, Jacques Prioux^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Sino-French Joint Research Center of Sport Science, Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China.
² Movement, Sport, Health Laboratory, Rennes 2 University, 35170 Bruz, France.
³ Department of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, École Normale Supérieure de Rennes, 35170 Bruz, France.
⁴ Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Limerick, V94 XD21 Limerick, Ireland.
⁵ Laboratory of Movement, Balance, Performance and Health, University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour, 65000 Tarbes, France.
⁶ Ersha Sports Training Center of Guangdong Province, 510105 Guangdong, China.
⁷ Rugby Club Vannes, French Rugby Federation, 56000 Vannes, France.
⁸ Muscle Dynamics and Metabolism Laboratory, University of Montpellier, 34060 Montpellier, France.

Abstract

Few studies have examined the impact of a preseason training intervention through systematic measures in Pro D2 rugby union (RU). Therefore, this study aimed to describe the effects of 12 weeks of preseason training (three blocks) on body composition, running performance, biochemical markers, and workload (WL) variation in professional RU players. Physiological (physical and biochemical) responses to preseason WL were analyzed by examining changes in anthropometric characteristics, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) test, blood samples (BS), Hooper index (1-7), the 10-Hz global positioning system (GPS), and session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) in nineteen elite male players. Changes throughout the preseason were analyzed using the one-way and mixed-model analysis of variance. Significant (p < 0.01) improvements occurred in anthropometry and Yo-Yo IR1 running performance in forwards and backs. Total distance (p < 0.01) and impact (p < 0.05) during the second block were meaningfully higher than the other two blocks, with backs showing higher values than forwards. As expected, WL decreased significantly (p < 0.01) during the last training block. The WL variations were correlated with changes in biochemical markers over the preseason period. The collected data can be used for i) profiling French Pro D2 rugby championships players, ii) establishing effective training strategies, and iii) setting preseason WL expectations.

Keywords: Blood sampling; GPS; Positional difference; Yo-Yo test; s-RPE.