Running Demands of Provincial Women's Rugby Union Matches in New Zealand.

ABSTRACT: Busbridge, AR, Hamlin, MJ, Jowsey, JA, Vanner, MH, and Olsen, PD. Running demands of provincial women's rugby union matches in New Zealand. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1059-1063, 2022-There has been rapid growth in participation in women's rugby but there is minimal research on the sport. The aim of this study was to increase our knowledge of the running demands of high-level female players in the New Zealand Provincial Rugby Competition. Players (n = 20) wore 10-Hz Global Positioning System units during 7 matches to measure total distance covered, all running distance (≥6.4 km·h-1), high-intensity (HI) running (≥16.1 km·h-1), meters per minute (m·min-1), and maximum speed (km·h-1). Mean ± SD were calculated for forwards and backs. Forwards and backs covered a similar total distance (5,616 ± 809 m and 5,852 ± 1,022 m, respectively) and running distance (3,181 ± 583 m and 3,095 ± 805 m, respectively). However, when separated into specific playing positions, the half back recorded significantly higher running distances (4,292 ± 171 m), greater HI running distances (1,003 ± 58 m), and more distance overall (6,812 ± 277 m) than other positions (p ≤ 0.05). By contrast, outside backs did less running (2,456 ± 114 m) than other positions (p ≤ 0.05), and had the lowest distance for HI running (528 ± 39 m) in the backs. Running demands were similar for forwards and backs; however, within positions there was considerable variation, and the lower running measurements for outside backs maybe unique to women's rugby. Due to these findings and possible different tactical approaches, the development of training and speed zone bands specific to female players is advised because male research findings may lack transferability to women's rugby.

Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments' Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional. METHODS: An online survey was disseminated to adults (n=8,425; 44.5±14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9. RESULTS: Participants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p<0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p<0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p<0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.