Efficiency of performing rugby's technical elements depending on the speed and strength quality level of 16-18-year-old rugby players

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess relationship between speed-strength abilities and technical elements of the game. Further aims was to assess the effect of specialized training on speed-strength abilities and technical elements of the game. Methods: Thirty male rugby players participated in the experiment (age 17.3±1.1 years, the body height 181.5±4.7 cm, and body weight 109.7±9.8 kg). All athletes were participants of the Ukrainian Championship under 18 age category. The study was conducted from September 2017 to June 2018. A special program of speed-strength training was developed, which contributed to the improving of technical preparedness in the competitive conditions of rugby teams. The measurement of speed-strength abilities and technical preparedness were performed before and after training programme. The relationship between speedstrength abilities and technical preparedness was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Our study showed significant relationships between the indicators of speed-strength skills (p<0.05) and technical preparedness of rugby players (p<0.01) aged 16-18 years old. The improvement of indicators of speed-strength skills and technical preparedness under the influence of the experimental program (p<0.05) were established. Conclusions: During the speed-strength training, the effectiveness of applying the established experimental program for the development of speed-strength skills as a basis for improving the performance of technical elements for playing rugby players was proved. The test scores of the speed-strength skills significantly correlate with the indices of the technical preparedness of the athletes, justifies the necessity of their development for training of rugby players.