Perceptions of recovery in professional Rugby League athletes
Project Member(s): Watsford, M., Duffield, R.
Funding or Partner Organisation: Manly Sea Eagles (Manly Sea Eagles Funds)
Start year: 2015
Summary: The post-match management of fatigue and recovery is largely driven by the coaching and support staff in professional Rugby League clubs. Currently, little is known about the role that the perception of the coach or support staff have in the ensuing acute management of fatigue. Although specific measures exist to quantify the magnitude of match-related player fatigue, often these are non-specific. Consequently, if the perception of the coach differs from that of other markers, the attitudes and recovery practices may not allow for adequate restoration of player readiness. These perceptions and the ensuing actions can determine the 'return-to-play' state of the players. Any disconnect between actual fatigue, the management of this fatigue and the return-to-play of the players may result in injury, decrements in performance or overtraining. In turn, such factors may lead to lasting impacts on player availability, team cohesion and ultimately, team performance. This project aims to compare player and coach responses to objective markers of recovery from professional rugby league match-play. One professional rugby league team playing in the National Rugby League (NRL) will be assessed weekly during the 26 round season. In the 24-28 hours proceeding each match in the 2015 season, objective responses to recovery will be assessed in all first-grade players using markers of lower body power (counter movement jump [CMJ]), ankle joint range of motion (ankle dorsi-flexion test), and subjective markers of perceived soreness, wellness and readiness to train. This data will provide information about the physical and psychological levels of recovery. Several members of the Coaching and High Performance staff will provide information about their perceptions of recovery for each player in the same time frame. The comparisons between these markers will provide information that will highlight any discrepancies between actual recovery and perceived recovery.
Keywords: Sports science; team sport; fatigue; performance
FOR Codes: Organised Sports, Exercise Physiology, Health and Support Services not elsewhere classified, Injury Control, Injury prevention and control, Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified