Changes in adductor strength following competition in academy rugby union players.

Roe, G, Till, KA, Jones, B, Phibbs, P, Read, D ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6367-0261, Weakley, J and Darrall-Jones, J (2016) Changes in adductor strength following competition in academy rugby union players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30 (2). pp. 344-350. ISSN 1064-8011

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Abstract

This study determined the magnitude of change in adductor strength following a competitive match in academy rugby union players and examined the relationship between locomotive demands of match-play and changes in post-match adductor strength. A within-subject repeated measures design was used. Fourteen academy rugby union players (age 17.4+/-0.8 years; height 182.7+/-7.6 m; body mass 86.2+/-11.6 kg) participated in the study. Each player performed 3 maximal adductor squeezes at 45[degrees] of hip flexion pre- and immediately, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-match. Global positioning system was used to assess locomotive demands of match-play. Trivial decreases in adductor squeeze scores occurred immediately (-1.3+/-2.5 %; ES = -0.11+/-0.21; likely, 74 %) and 24 hours post-match (-0.7+/-3 %; ES = -0.06+/-0.25; likely, 78 %) while a small but substantial increase occurred at 48 hours (3.8+/-1.9 %, ES = 0.32+/-0.16, likely, 89 %) before reducing to trivial at 72 hours post-match (3.1+/-2.2 %, ES = 0.26+/-0.18, possibly, 72 %). Large individual variation in adductor strength was observed at all time-points. The relationship between changes in adductor strength and distance covered at sprinting speed (Vmax>=81 %) was large immediately post-match (p=0.056, r=-0.521), moderate at 24 hours (p=0.094, -0.465) and very large at 48 hours post-match (p=0.005, -0.707). Players who cover greater distances sprinting may suffer greater adductor fatigue in the first 48 hours following competition. The assessment of adductor strength using the adductor squeeze test should be considered post-match in order to identify players who may require additional rest before returning to field-based training.