Introduction

 

Within every team sport, competition is high on the agenda. Either by individuals competing to win a place in the starting line up on match days, or, teams striving towards glory. This puts a huge reliance on players being fit for selection and ready to perform at their highest level week after week during the competitive season. As the rugby competitive season is played out over 9 months, this process can lead to players becoming fatigued. If players are put through too much training or competition matches and not given enough efficient rest, this can ultimately lead to players becoming overtrained (Mooney, Cormack, O’Brien, Morgan, McGuigan, 2013).

 

Consequently, fatigue can impact performance by lowering force generation, the ability to express repeated power outputs and effect basic rugby skills such as tackling, passing, movement and decision making (Gabbett, 2008; Kempton, Sirotic, Cameron & Coutts, 2013). Given this reason, the need to improve physical strength, conditioning and technical skill is vital in trying to limit this occurring during a match. However, with this training, short term fatigue will be placed upon the body. To minimalize this effect, players must be provided with information on reliable recovery strategies and monitoring through valid testing to define current fatigue levels.