The relationship between adductor squeeze strength, subjective markers of recovery and training load in elite rugby players
Abstract
© 2019 National Strength and Conditioning Association. The adductor squeeze strength test has become a popular training monitoring marker, particularly in team sports. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between adductor squeeze strength scores, subjective markers of recovery and training load in elite Rugby Union players, because of limited research in this area. Nineteen elite male Rugby Union players completed daily monitoring markers (adductor squeeze strength and 5 selected subjective markers of recovery), over a 10-week preseason training period. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected to determine training load (session RPE; RPE × session duration) and to calculate weekly training load. Spearman’s correlation was used to analyze the relationship between adductor squeeze strength scores, subjective markers of recovery, and weekly training load. The results found that where adductor squeeze scores decreased, both perceived fatigue levels (r = -0.335; R2 = 11.2%; p < 0.001) and muscle soreness (r = -0.277; R2 = 7.7%; p < 0.001) increased. A weak correlation was found between Monday adductor squeeze strength scores and the previous week’s training load (r = -0.235; R2 = 5.5%; p < 0.001) and Friday adductor squeeze strength scores and the same week’s training load (r = -0.211; R2 = 4.5%; p < 0.05). These results show that adductor squeeze strength may provide coaches with a time-efficient, low‐cost objective, player monitoring marker. Additionally, the combination of adductor strength squeeze, with subjective markers, perceived fatigue, and muscle soreness, and appropriately planned training load may help coaches to optimize training adaptations by determining a player’s training status.Citation
Tiernan, C., Lyons, M., Comyns, T., Nevill, A. M. et al. (2019) The relationship between adductor squeeze strength, subjective markers of recovery and training load in elite rugby players, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33 (11), pp. 2926-2931. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003370Journal
Journal of Strength and Conditioning ResearchPubMed ID
31469760 (pubmed)Additional Links
https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2019/11000/The_Relationship_Between_Adductor_Squeeze.6.aspxType
Journal articleLanguage
enDescription
This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research in November 2019, available online: https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003370 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.ISSN
1064-8011EISSN
1533-4295ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1519/jsc.0000000000003370
Scopus Count
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/