NEUROMUSCULAR AND PERCEPTUAL FATIGUE RESPONSES DURING TWO DIFFERENT MATCH LENGTH MICROCYCLES IN NON ELITE FEMALE UNIVERSITY RUGBY UNION PLAYERS

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to assess the recovery of neuromuscular fatigue, in female university rugby players during two different match length microcycles. This was accomplished by using a series of jump tests, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and drop jump (DJ), utilizing the Stretch shortening cycle and a psychological questionnaire, to assess jump performance and the wellbeing of the participants.

Six female rugby union players (age 20±1 years) from the Cardiff Metropolitan rugby team were recruited. Each subject underwent physiological measurements of jump performance (vertical jumping for height, using a CMJ, SJ and DJ) and psychological analysis (wellbeing questionnaire), during two different match length microcycles. Statistical analysis of results, with the use of a paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA to assess intra and inter results significant difference was used, with the significance level set at 95% (p<0.05). Analysis showed significant difference between CMJ results 2 days post game when compared to 3days post game (p<0.05). DJ performance shows that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) 1day post game between the two microcycles. Intra result analysis showed that CMJ performance during the three day microcycle was found all results to be significantly different (p<0.05). DJ performance during the three day microcycle found a significant difference between baseline when compared to 1day post game (p=0.005) and 2days post game (p=0.002) and between pre game when compared to, 1day post game (p=0.013) and 2days post game (p=0.006). Wellbeing results when tested during the two day testing period found that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) when comparing baseline to pre game, 1day post game and 2days post game.

Results showed an overall decrease in performance post match, however a greater recovery of performance can be observed during the three day microcycle compared to the two day microcycle.