Abstract

Background

Professional rugby union is a high-intensity contact sport with position-specific high training and match volumes across a season that may lead to periods of fatigue if above a typically experienced threshold. This study assesses the influence of match play and/or training on fatigue levels in rugby union players.

Objective

We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of measures used to assess fatigue status in male professional rugby union players.

Methods

Using electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE), a systematic review of fatigue testing in rugby union was conducted on (1) neuromuscular, (2) subjective self-report, (3) biochemical, and (4) heart rate-derived measures.

Results

Thirty-seven articles were included in this systematic review, of which 14 were further included in a meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis revealed small, yet not significant, decreases in countermovement jump height immediately after (effect size [ES] = − 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.64 to 0.06), 24 h (ES = − 0.43; 95% CI − 3.99 to 3.21), and 48 h (ES = − 0.22; 95% CI − 0.47 to 0.02) after exposure to rugby union match play or training. Reported wellness (ES = − 0.33; 95% CI − 1.70 to 1.04) and tiredness (ES = − 0.14; 95% CI − 1.30 to 1.03) declined over a period of a few weeks (however, the results were not-statistically significant), meanwhile muscle soreness increased (ES = 0.91; 95% CI 0.06 to 1.75) within the 96 h after the exposure to rugby union match play or training. Finally, while cortisol levels (ES = 1.87; 95% CI − 1.54 to 5.29) increased, testosterone declined (ES = − 1.54; 95% CI − 7.16 to 4.08) within the 24 h after the exposure. However, these results were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Subjective measures of muscle soreness can be used to assess fatigue after match play and training in rugby union players. Within-study and between-study variability for countermovement jump height, biochemical markers, and heart rate-derived measures means the utility (practical application) of these measures to assess fatigue in professional rugby union players after matches and training is unclear.

Clinical Trial Registration

PROSPERO ID: CRD42020216706.

中文翻译：

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职业橄榄球联盟的真实疲劳测试：系统回顾和荟萃分析

摘要

背景

职业橄榄球联盟是一项高强度接触运动，在整个赛季中进行特定位置的高训练和比赛量，如果超过通常经历的阈值，可能会导致一段时间的疲劳。本研究评估了比洞赛和/或训练对橄榄球联盟球员疲劳程度的影响。

客观的

我们的目的是对用于评估男性职业橄榄球联盟运动员疲劳状态的措施进行系统回顾和荟萃分析。

方法

使用电子数据库（PubMed、SPORTDiscus、Web of Science、Cochrane Library、EMBASE 和 MEDLINE），对橄榄球联盟中的疲劳测试进行了系统回顾，内容包括 (1) 神经肌肉、(2) 主观自我报告、(3) 生化，以及（4）心率衍生测量。

结果

本次系统评价纳入了 37 篇文章，其中 14 篇进一步纳入荟萃分析。荟萃分析的结果显示，24 小时后（效应大小 [ES] = − 0.29；95% 置信区间 [CI] − 0.64 至 0.06），反向运动跳跃高度立即出现小幅但不显着的下降（ES = − 0.43；95% CI − 3.99 至 3.21），以及参加橄榄球联盟比赛或训练后 48 小时（ES = − 0.22；95% CI − 0.47 至 0.02）。报告的健康状况（ES = − 0.33；95% CI − 1.70 至 1.04）和疲劳感（ES = − 0.14；95% CI − 1.30 至 1.03）在几周内有所下降（然而，结果不具有统计显着性） ），同时在参加橄榄球联盟比赛或训练后 96 小时内肌肉酸痛加剧（ES = 0.91；95% CI 0.06 至 1.75）。最后，虽然皮质醇水平（ES = 1.87；95% CI − 1.54至5.29）增加，但睾酮水平在暴露后24小时内下降（ES = - 1.54；95% CI − 7.16至4.08）。然而，这些结果在统计上并不显着。

结论

肌肉酸痛的主观测量可用于评估橄榄球联盟运动员比赛和训练后的疲劳程度。研究内和研究间反向运动跳跃高度、生化标记物和心率衍生测量值的变异性意味着这些测量值在比赛和训练后评估职业橄榄球联盟运动员疲劳程度的效用（实际应用）尚不清楚。

临床试验注册

普洛斯彼罗 ID：CRD42020216706。