INTRODUCTION: 9.6 million people play rugby in 124 countries and 40 teams will compete in the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Rugby Sevens (7s) has gained in popularity since its introduction to the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 Youth Olympics saw 11 countries from 6 regional associations compete at 7s. Rugby 7s school youth participation has grown by 185% between 2012 and 2020 in New Zealand. While microsensor technology has been applied to field-based sports, little is known about the physical demands of Youth Rugby 7s. METHODS: Two New Zealand-based male academy cohorts (U15 n=13, 14.9 ± 0.3 y; U19 n=14, 16.9 ± 1.2 y) were monitored in 7 games during a national Rugby 7s tournament using 10 Hz VX Sport microsensor technology. RESULTS: Time-motion and heart rate (HR) analysis across squads showed an average work rate (WRavg) of 111.4 ± 11.9 m/min covered at an average speed (Vavg) of 6.7 ± 0.7 km/h and 90.0 ± 0.04% HRmax. Players performed 41.6 ± 7.6 sprints per game with maximal speed (Vmax) averaging 27.6 ± 2.9 km/h, while a peak velocity of 33.7 km/h was measured. The U15 players demonstrated a higher WRavg than U19 (115.7 ± 13.3 vs. 107.8 ± 10.5 m/min [ES= 0.66]) at greater Vavg (6.9 ± 0.8 vs. 6.5 ± 0.6 km/h [ES= 0.66]) (p<0.01). Average HR intensity was statistically similar between U15 and U19 (90 ± 3 vs. 89 ± 4% HRmax), yet a small effect was detected for ActivityLoad 3D rate (cumulative X, Y, Z-accelerometry per unit of time: 5.2 ± 1.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.6 AU, p= 0.06 [ES= 0.42]). No significant differences were found for any high-intensity (HI) running nor HI acceleration/deceleration measures. Both cohorts covered significantly different distances in different relative speed and HR zones (Vzones, HRzones), with most distance covered between 20-50% Vmax and >90% HRmax. Of note, 57.9 ± 24.1% (U15) and 56.8 ± 26.4% (U19) of game time was performed at >90% HRmax. The U15 players covered more distance than U19 in Vzone2 (55.9 ± 11.8 vs. 53.6 ± 9.0 m/min, p= 0.01 [ES= 0.51]) and Vzone3 (25.7 ± 8.8 vs. 22.5 ± 6.9 m/min, p= 0.04 [ES= 0.41]). Pairwise comparisons for distance and time spent in relative HRzones revealed no differences between cohorts. CONCLUSION: Youth Rugby 7s games are characterised by very high physical demands. Different age cohorts demonstrate overlapping match characteristics with key differences on specific performance markers, relative to the metrics used. Younger players show higher values for speed and distance, which suggests greater loads could be placed on youth as compared to senior players and other cohorts described in the literature. Training approaches, including monitoring and classification of metrics, should be differentiated by target population, individualised, and complemented with age-specific performance targets. Practitioners should be aware that younger 7s players may undergo higher loading relative to older cohorts; thus, there is a need for clear developmental benchmarks.
© Copyright 2022 27th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Sevilla, 30. Aug - 2. Sep 2022. Julkaistu Tekijä Faculty of Sport Science - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator