Rugby Fitness

Rugby fitness here refers to the game under both sets of rules (union and league). It is true that the game of rugby has changed as much as any other sport in the past few years.

Thirty years ago rugby was played at the highest level by many players who were unfit, overweight, poorly trained and nutritionally challenged. Rugby fitness today is a totally different situation. Rugby players have to be fit, strong, fast and technically excellent at the top level. Being big and strong are no longer in anyway sufficient attributes to allow you to play good level rugby.



Quality rugby is a superb spectacle and demands both technique as well as speed and strength.

There will obviously be variations depending on the position of play as a winger needs to have the attributes of speed and running skills (change of pace and direction) more than a forward who has greater need for raw strength.

The strength aspect of rugby fitness is important for success in the physical part of the game but also to withstand trauma and avoid constant injury. In contrast to soccer, for example, rugby is less demanding on the physiological, cardio-vascular and respiratory capacity. There has to be a good level of endurance but not as high as in other sports as the game has less of a constant flow.

Pure running speed, raw strength in upper and lower limbs and trunk are essential. Rugby players can benefit from having greater muscle mass where as this can hamper athletes involved in activities demanding less strength but more endurance.

Massive strength in the thighs, abdomen, neck, back and shoulders is essential. There needs to be a power element in the function of these muscle groups as it is necessary for such activities on the field to be repeated many times in comparison to a powerlifter who needs very little endurance capacity as they put all their effort into a very small number of lifts in a competition.

It goes without saying that bravery and high level technical handling ability is also necessary.

The major physical attributes necessary for rugby success are:


STRENGTH and STAMINA in all major muscle groups.

SPEED

GOOD TECHNIQUE.

For further details of our guide to achieving super rugby fitness please click here