Fitness

Tuesday 13th February 2007

The fitness section provides you with the latest information and tips on rugby fitness.

onathan Kaplan becomes just the eighth referee in South Africa's rugby history to have refereed more than one Currie Cup Final. In fact only 22 referees have refereed finals. But then there have been only 44 finals.

Fitness demands of rugby...
In the space of an 80-minute game, an international flanker may make 25 tackles, hit 46 rucks, push during 22 scrums, and lift during 24 lineouts. Players typically cover distances of six to eight kilometers at varying running speeds separated into over 200 intervals of varying distances. This requires strength, power, speed, agility, and an ability to repeat and recover from movements for the duration of the game. Each position has its own particular demands on the player but the generic requirement is to produce high energy, high intensity movements during ball in play time.

The nature of the sport has changed during recent years, particularly with the onset of professionalism and this has lead to the growing importance of total rugby fitness. Consider the following variables:
+ The game is getting faster with more 'ball in play' time
+ Rule changes are encouraging fast open play
+ Professionals have more opportunity to train
+ Modern players need to be multi-skilled
+ Scientific research is improving fitness training methods

What is 'rugby fitness'?
Total rugby fitness is a collection of fitness elements and training principles. 

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