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The Impact of COVID-19 Isolation on Strength and Power Profiles in Professional Rugby Union Players

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Dissertation(1.24 MB)

Date

2023

Authors

Hutchings, Morgan

Supervisor

Storey, Adam
Watkins, Casey

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Master of Sport, Exercise and Health

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Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of a 10-16 day COVID-19 isolation on lower-body strength and power variables in 32 professional rugby union players. Methods: The presentation of COVID-19 naturally split the cohort into four groups including negative cases (Alpha n= 14) and positive cases of differing isolation lengths based upon the presence of positive COVID-19 PCR test results (Bravo n= 8, Charlie n=8, Delta n=2). All players underwent a room-based exercise program during this isolation period, which differed in length (days) according to group. Countermovement jump height (cm), drop jump reactive strength index (m/s), hip adduction (Hip ADD) and hip abduction (Hip ABD) isometric strength (N) was collected at four time points (Pre1, Pre2, Post, RTP) using ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System and ForceFrame Strength Testing System by Vald Performance Human Measurement Technologies (BNE, QLD, AUS). A linear mixed model was used for statistical analyses. Results: No significant interactions between timepoint and group were found in any variables. Hip ADD (p= 0.00) and Hip ABD (p= 0.00) significantly improved over time. Drop jump reactive strength index significantly (p= 0.01) differed across group, through which Charlie had a larger RSI than all other groups, whilst being significantly weaker in Hip ABD (p= 0.02). Countermovement jump height did not change across time or group and experienced the greatest variability in results (conditional R2= 0.18, marginal R2= 0.70). Conclusion: The room-based exercise program was effective at maintaining lower-body power but had a greater influence on lower-body strength-oriented variables. These findings are in contrast to our hypothesis which predicted lower-body power variables to be more susceptible to significant decay effects than lower-body strength variables.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10292/16864

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Masters Dissertations