The Development and Content of Movement Quality Assessments in Athletic Populations: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite their prominence in the sport and human movement sciences, to date, there is no systematic insight about the development and content of movement quality assessments in athletic populations. This is an important gap to address, as it could yield both practical and scientific implications related to the continued screening of movement quality in athletic contexts. Hence, this study aimed to systematically review the (i) developmental approach, (ii) movements included, (iii) scoring system utilised, and (iv) the reliability of movement competency assessments used in athletic populations.

METHODS

Electronic databases (SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus) were searched for relevant articles up to 12 May 2023. Studies were included if they reported data about the developmental approach, movements included, scoring system utilised and reliability of assessment in an athletic population. A modified Downs and Black checklist was used to measure study quality.

RESULTS

From a total of 131 identified studies: (i) 26 (20%) described the developmental approach of an assessment; (ii) 113 (86%) included descriptions of the movements included; (iii) 106 (81%) included a description of scoring system and criteria; and (iv) 77 (59%) studies included reliability statistics. There were 36 assessments identified within these studies, comprising 59 movements in total. Each assessment scored movement quality through a Likert or binary classification system.

CONCLUSION

First, the results demonstrate that choosing an appropriate movement quality assessment in an athletic population may be a complex process for practitioners as the development approach, movements included and scoring criteria vary substantially between assessments. Second, academics could use these results to help design new assessments for novel applications that meet rigour and reliability requirements. Third, these results have the potential to foster guidelines of use for the reliable assessment of movement quality in athletic populations.

The Strength and Power Profile of Junior and Senior Female Rugby League Athletes

ABSTRACT

Flannery, L, Secomb, JL, West, MA, Compton, HR, and Dascombe, BJ. The strength and power profile of junior and senior female rugby league athletes. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2129-2135, 2024-The purpose of this study was to compare the lower-body strength and power profiles of the various female rugby league (RL) competition levels, thereby establishing normative data for these athletes. Seventy-nine female RL athletes from 3 different competition levels: junior-state ( n = 45, age: 17.5 ± 0.6 years), senior-state ( n = 15, age: 24.3 ± 3.7 years), and senior-national ( n = 19, age: 25.4 ± 4.0 years) participated in this study. All testing was completed in a single session at the beginning of preseason, with the following assessments performed: countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and bilateral and unilateral isometric hip adduction and abduction strength. One-way analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc analyses, revealed that junior-state athletes exhibited significantly lower IMTP peak force (PF) and relative PF (rPF), and CMJ height compared with the senior-state and senior-national athletes. Importantly, senior-national athletes demonstrated significantly greater body mass (80.9 ± 14.6 kg) than senior-state athletes (70.9 ± 8.1 kg), but no significant differences were identified between these athletes for any IMTP or CMJ measure. Finally, the senior-national athletes possessed significantly lower unilateral hip adduction rPF (0.13 ± 0.04 N·BW -1 ) and adduction to abduction strength ratio (0.92 ± 0.14) than senior-state athletes (0.17 ± 0.03 N·BW -1 and 1.04 ± 0.13, respectively), which may have implications for noncontact lower-body injury risk. This study highlights the importance of practitioners prescribing training to increase the lower-body strength and power of junior-state RL athletes. Whereas, for senior-state athletes progressing to senior-national levels, the focus should on maintaining or improving relative strength and power, while increasing their body mass to enhance preparedness for the greater contact demands at that level.

What Tests are Used to Assess the Physical Qualities of Male, Adolescent Rugby League Players? A Systematic Review of Testing Protocols and Reported Data Across Adolescent Age Groups

BACKGROUND

Understanding the physical qualities of male, adolescent rugby league players across age groups is essential for practitioners to manage long-term player development. However, there are many testing options available to assess these qualities, and differences in tests and testing protocols can profoundly influence the data obtained.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) identify the most frequently used tests to assess key physical qualities in male, adolescent rugby league players (12-19 years of age); (2) examine the testing protocols adopted in studies using these tests; and (3) synthesise the available data from studies using the most frequently used tests according to age group.

METHODS

A systematic search of five databases was conducted. For inclusion, studies were required to: (1) be original research that contained original data published in a peer-reviewed journal; (2) report data specifically for male, adolescent rugby league players; (3) report the age for the recruited participants to be between 12 and 19 years; (4) report data for any anthropometric quality and one other physical quality and identify the test(s) used to assess these qualities; and (5) be published in English with full-text availability. Weighted means and standard deviations were calculated for each physical quality for each age group arranged in 1-year intervals (i.e., 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 years) across studies.

RESULTS

37 studies were included in this systematic review. The most frequently used tests to assess anthropometric qualities were body mass, standing height, and sum of four skinfold sites. The most frequently used tests to assess other physical qualities were the 10-m sprint (linear speed), 505 Agility Test (change-of-direction speed), Multistage Fitness Test (aerobic capacity), bench press and back squat one-repetition maximum tests (muscular strength), and medicine ball throw (muscular power). Weighted means calculated across studies generally demonstrated improvements in player qualities across subsequent age groups, except for skinfold thickness and aerobic capacity. However, weighted means could not be calculated for the countermovement jump.

CONCLUSION

Our review identifies the most frequently used tests, but highlights variability in the testing protocols adopted. If these tests are used in future practice, we provide recommended protocols in accordance with industry standards for most tests. Finally, we provide age-specific references for frequently used tests that were implemented with consistent protocols. Clinical Trial Registration This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021267795).

Force Plate-Derived Countermovement Jump Normative Data and Benchmarks for Professional Rugby League Players

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is an important test in rugby league (RL), and the force plate is the recommended assessment device, as it permits the calculation of several variables that explain jump strategy, alongside jump height. The purpose of this study was to produce normative CMJ data and objective benchmarks for professional RL forwards and backs. Normative data for jump height, modified reactive strength index, and jump momentum are provided for 121 professional RL players (66 forwards and 55 backs) who completed CMJ testing on a portable force plate during preseason training. Standardized T-scores (scaled from 0 to 100) were calculated from the respective positional group mean and standard deviation to create CMJ performance bands that were combined with a qualitative description (ranging from extremely poor to excellent) and a traffic light system to facilitate data interpretation and objective benchmark setting by RL practitioners. The jump height and modified reactive strength index benchmarks were larger for the lighter backs, whereas the jump momentum benchmarks were larger for the heavier forwards. The presented novel approach to compiling and presenting normative data and objective benchmarks may also be applied to other data (i.e., from other tests or devices) and populations.

Comparison of Countermovement Jump-Derived Reactive Strength Index Modified and Underpinning Force-Time Variables Between Super League and Championship Rugby League Players

ABSTRACT

McMahon, JJ, Jones, PA, and Comfort, P. Comparison of countermovement jump-derived reactive strength index modified and underpinning force-time variables between super league and championship rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 226-231, 2022-The countermovement jump (CMJ) is regularly tested in rugby league (RL), with recent work reporting reactive strength index modified (RSImod) to distinguish between levels of play. Differences in CMJ-derived RSImod and underpinning force-time variables between English Super League (SL) and RL Championship (RLC) players are, however, unknown. As SL and RLC teams compete against each other, this study addressed this knowledge gap. Sixty RL players from the English SL (n = 30) and RLC (n = 30) performed 3 CMJs on a force platform at the start of the preseason training. The RSImod was calculated by dividing jump height (JH) by time to take-off (TTT), and several other variables were also extracted from the force-time record. The SL players achieved a significantly higher (large effect) RSImod by performing the CMJ with a significantly shorter (large effect) TTT but a similar (small effect) JH. The SL players achieved the shorter TTT through a significantly reduced (large effects) relative displacement during both the countermovement (combined unweighting and braking displacement) and propulsion phases but a significantly higher (moderate effects) propulsion peak force and power. The relationships between TTT and relative countermovement (r = 0.719, p < 0.001) and propulsion (r = 0.771, p < 0.001) displacement for combined group data were very large. Practitioners working in RL should, therefore, consider reporting RSImod and TTT, alongside JH, after CMJ force-time testing. We also suggest that RL players who produce lower RSImod scores would benefit from being trained to produce larger CMJ propulsion forces over a shallower range of hip, knee, and ankle extension.

Coaches' Assessment of Players Physical Performance: Subjective and Objective Measures are needed when Profiling Players

This mixed methods study aimed to assess the agreement between coaches ranking of youth rugby league players compared against objective physical performance data and gather coaches' subjective descriptions of their players performance. Five hundred and eight male rugby league players (U16 n = 255, U18 n = 253) completed a fitness testing battery of anthropometric and physical performance measures. Subsequently, 22 rugby (n = 11) and strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches (n = 11) ranked each player's physical qualities using a 4-point Likert scale (1 - top 25%; 2-25-50%; 3-50-75%; and 4 - bottom 25%) and described their performance. U16 S&C coaches displayed fair agreement when assessing players body mass (39.3%, κ = 0.20). U18 rugby coaches demonstrated fair agreement for strength and size (42.5%, κ = 0.23) and body mass (48.7%, κ = 0.31) whilst both U18 rugby and S&C coaches showed fair agreement levels for endurance (39.8%, κ = 0.25, 44.3%, κ = 0.29), respectively. Three higher-order themes were identified from coaches' descriptions of players including physical, rugby and attitude characteristics when evaluating performance. Overall, coaches cannot accurately assess players physical performance against fitness testing data. Though, findings suggest coaches adopt a multidimensional approach when evaluating players performance. Practitioners within talent development systems should utilise both objective and subjective assessments when making decisions regarding players performance.Highlights Rugby and S&C coaches cannot accurately assess all aspects of players physical performance.The greatest assessment agreement was for body mass, strength and size, and endurance, while the poorest were for strength, acceleration, and maximum speed.Rugby and S&C coaches considered rugby, physical and attitude attributes when evaluating players.Findings highlight the complex nature of physical profiling. Subjective and objective measures are required to provide an accurate description of players physical performance.

Using Principal Component Analysis to Compare the Physical Qualities Between Academy and International Youth Rugby League Players

PURPOSE

To compare the physical qualities between academy and international youth rugby league (RL) players using principal component analysis.

METHODS

Six hundred fifty-four males (age = 16.7 [1.4] y; height = 178.4 [13.3] cm; body mass = 82.2 [14.5] kg) from 11 English RL academies participated in this study. Participants completed anthropometric, power (countermovement jump), strength (isometric midthigh pull; IMTP), speed (10 and 40 m speed), and aerobic endurance (prone Yo-Yo IR1) assessments. Principal component analysis was conducted on all physical quality measures. A 1-way analysis of variance with effect sizes was performed on 2 principal components (PCs) to identify differences between academy and international backs, forwards, and pivots at under 16 and 18 age groups.

RESULTS

Physical quality measures were reduced to 2 PCs explaining 69.4% of variance. The first PC (35.3%) was influenced by maximum and 10-m momentum, absolute IMTP, and body mass. Ten and forty-meter speed, body mass and fat, prone Yo-Yo, IMTP relative, maximum speed, and countermovement jump contributed to PC2 (34.1%). Significant differences (P < .05, effect size = -1.83) were identified between U18 academy and international backs within PC1.

CONCLUSION

Running momentum, absolute IMTP, and body mass contributed to PC1, while numerous qualities influenced PC2. The physical qualities of academy and international youth RL players are similar, excluding U18 backs. Principal component analysis can reduce the dimensionality of a data set and help identify overall differences between playing levels. Findings suggest that RL practitioners should measure multiple physical qualities when assessing physical performance.

Effect of Biological Maturation on Performance of the Athletic Ability Assessment in Australian Rules Football Players

Purpose: To determine the effect of biological maturation on athletic movement competency as measured using the Athletic Ability Assessment-6. Methods: Fifty-two junior Australian Rules football players were split into 3 groups based on proximity to peak height velocity, while 46 senior players were split into 2 groups based on playing status. The subjects completed the Athletic Ability Assessment-6 (inclusive of the overhead squat, double lunge, single-leg Romanian dead lift, push-up, and chin-up). All subjects were filmed and retrospectively assessed by a single rater. A 1-way analysis of variance and effect-size statistics (Cohen d) with corresponding 90% confidence intervals were used to describe between-groups differences in the component movement scores. The statistical significance was set a priori at P < .05. Results: There were significant between-groups differences for all component movements (P < .05). Post hoc testing revealed that older, more mature subjects possessed greater competency in all movements except the overhead squat. The effect sizes revealed predominantly moderate to very large differences in competency between the senior and junior groups (range of d [90% confidence interval]: 0.70 [0.06 to 1.30] to 3.01 [2.18 to 3.72]), with unclear to moderate differences found when comparing the 3 junior groups (0.08 [−0.50 to 0.65] to 0.97 [0.22–1.61]). Conclusions: The findings suggest that biological maturation may be associated with changes in athletic movement competency in youth Australian Rules football players. Therefore, it is recommended that strength and conditioning coaches monitor maturity status when working with 12- to 15-y-old players. This can allow for a comparison of an individual’s athletic movement competency to maturity-based standards and help guide developmentally appropriate training programs.

Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Performance in Rugby Players: A Systematic Literature Review

The isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) is a multi-joint test of whole-body force production relevant to rugby players. "Rugby AND (mid-thigh pull OR midthigh pull OR mid thigh pull" were searched in PubMed, Sportdiscus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Google Scholar; the final date of search was 24 January 2018. Data extraction from 24 articles included subject characteristics, force data, and IMTP testing procedures. Select ranges of peak forces reported were: Youth: 1162-2374 N; Academy: 1855-3104 N; Professional: 2254-3851 N. Rate of force development (RFD) at 100 and 200 ms ranged from 5521 to 11,892 N and 5403 to 8405 N, respectively, among professional rugby players. Studies' research design were of moderate quality, but most studies lacked detailed reporting of IMTP procedures. Variability of force characteristics derived from the IMTP within similar populations (e.g., approximately 200% difference in peak force between samples of professional rugby league players) as well as large and unexpected overlaps between dissimilar populations, limit conclusions about force production capabilities relative to playing level, likely due to limitations and lack of standardization of IMTP procedures. Greater uniformity in IMTP testing procedures and reporting is needed. This manuscript provides a guide for reporting needs when presenting results from an IMTP in research.

"It's Important, but It's Not Everything": Practitioners' Use, Analysis and Perceptions of Fitness Testing in Academy Rugby League

A plethora of research exists examining the physical qualities of rugby league players. However, no research has investigated practitioners’ insights into the use, analysis and perceptions of such fitness testing data that is vital for applying research into practice. Therefore, this study aimed to examine practitioners’ (coaches and strength & conditioning [S&C] coaches) perceptions and challenges of using fitness testing and the development of physical qualities. Twenty-four rugby league practitioners were purposefully sampled and completed a semi-structured interview. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed identifying five themes (it’s important, but it’s not everything; monitoring; evaluation and decision making; motivation; and other external challenges). The theme of “it’s important, but it’s not everything” emerged as a fundamental issue with regard fitness testing and the use of such data and that physical data alone does not inform coaches decisions. There appears conflicts between coaches and S&C coaches’ perceptions and use of fitness data, identifying complexities of supporting players in multidisciplinary teams. Collectively, the findings highlight the multifaceted nature of academy rugby league and suggest that practitioners should utilise fitness testing to inform player evaluations, positively influence training and assist with decision making. Moreover, practitioners should understand the combination of factors that influence fitness testing and work collaboratively to enhance talent development strategies.

Longitudinal Changes in the Physical Development of Elite Adolescent Rugby Union Players: Effect of Playing Position and Body Mass Change

PURPOSE

The well-being of elite rugby union players has been intensely scrutinised in recent years. Understanding the longitudinal development of physical traits in junior players, alongside the moderating effect of simultaneous increases in body mass, can aid in improving programming and ultimately help junior players prepare for the demands of senior rugby. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal physical development of elite adolescent backs and forwards in a professional rugby union academy.

METHODS

A total of 15 players (age, 17.0 [0.2] y; body mass, 90 [14] kg; height, 183 [9] cm; n = 7 backs, n = 8 forwards) completed anthropometric measures and 3 primary performance assessments (countermovement jump, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, and 10-m speed) at baseline, year 2, and year 3. Mixed modelling was used to assess player development over time and differences in this development by playing position. Magnitude-based inferencing was used to assess the uncertainty in the effects.

RESULTS

There was a substantial increase in countermovement jump height for both groups combined (0.9, ±0.4; standardized improvement, ±90% confidence limits; most likely substantial). Forwards exhibited a moderate-sized decrease in speed (-1.0, ±0.5; very likely substantial), and there was a large difference between groups with regards to speed change with backs outperforming forwards (1.5, ±0.9; very likely substantial). For forward, body mass change had a large negative association with 10-m speed (-1.9, ±0.7; most likely substantial) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 change (-1.2, ±0.9; very likely substantial).

CONCLUSION

These findings provide novel normative data for longitudinal changes in junior rugby union players and suggest that coaches should account for changes in body mass when targeting increases in speed and aerobic fitness.

A comparison of game-play characteristics between elite youth and senior Australian National Rugby League competitions

OBJECTIVES

To compare game-play characteristics between elite youth and senior Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competitions.

DESIGN

Longitudinal observational.

METHODS

The dataset consisted of 12 team performance indicators (e.g., 'all runs', 'offloads' and 'tackles') extracted from all 2016 national under 20 (U20) competition (elite youth; n=372 observations) and National Rugby League (NRL) (elite senior; n=378 observations) matches. Data was classified according to competition (Two levels: U20 and NRL) and modelled using two techniques. Firstly, non-metric multidimensional scaling resolved multivariate competition (dis)similarity, visualised using a two-dimensional ordination. Secondly, a conditional interference (CI) classification tree was grown to reveal the performance indicators most capable of explaining competition level.

RESULTS

Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed high competition dissimilarity, with U20 and NRL teams orienting distinctive positions on the first dimension of the ordination surface. Five team performance indicators were retained within the CI tree ('all runs', 'tackle breaks', 'tackles', 'missed tackles', and 'kicks'), which correctly classified 79% of the U20 observations and 93% of the NRL observations.

CONCLUSIONS

Multivariate differences between elite youth and senior rugby league competitions were identified. Specifically, NRL game-play was classified by a greater number of 'all runs', and 'tackles' and a lower number of 'missed tackles' relative to the U20 competition. Given the national U20 competition is purported to assist with the development of prospective NRL players, junior coaches may consider training interventions that primarily aid the tackling capacities of players. This may subsequently assist with talent development and player progression in Australian rugby league.