Effect of Strength and Power Training on Tackling Ability in Semiprofessional Rugby League Players

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2016-02, Vol.30 (2), p.336-343
• Main Authors: Speranza, Michael J.A, Gabbett, Tim J, Johnston, Rich D, Sheppard, Jeremy M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletes; Athletic Performance - physiology; Body mass index; Correlation analysis; Football - physiology; Humans; Male; Movement; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscular system; Resistance Training; Sports training; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001058

ABSTRACTSperanza, MJA, Gabbett, TJ, Johnston, RD, and Sheppard, JM. Effect of strength and power training on tackling ability in semiprofessional rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 30(2)336–343, 2016—This study examined the influence of a strength and power program on tackling ability in rugby league players. Twenty-four semiprofessional rugby league players (mean ± SD age, 23.4 ± 3.1 years) underwent tests of upper-body strength (3 repetition maximum [RM] bench press), lower-body strength (3RM squat), upper-body power (plyometric push-up), and lower-body power (countermovement jump [CMJ]). Muscular strength relative to body mass was also calculated. Tackling ability of the players was assessed using video analysis of a standardized one-on-one tackling drill. The players then underwent 8 weeks of strength and power training as part of their preseason training before being retested. Training resulted in significant (p ≤ 0.01) improvements in absolute and relative measures of squat, bench press, CMJ peak power, and plyometric push-up peak power. The strongest correlates of change in tackling ability were changes in 3RM squat (r = 0.60; p < 0.01) and squat relative to body mass (r = 0.54; p < 0.01). The players with the greatest improvements in 3RM squat and squat relative to body mass (i.e., responders) had significantly greater improvements in tackling ability than nonresponding players (p = 0.04; effect size [ES] ≥ 0.85). A small, nonsignificant difference (p = 0.20; ES = 0.56) in tackling ability was found between responders and nonresponders for lower-body power. The findings of this study demonstrate that the enhancement of lower-body muscular strength, and to a lesser extent muscular power, contribute to improvements in tackling ability in semiprofessional rugby league players.