Vol 9, Issue 5

Spatial Awareness is Related to Moderate Intensity Running during a Collegiate Rugby Match

December 1, 2016 - By 

Authors

Kyle S. Beyer, University of Central Florida
David H. Fukuda Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Amelia M. Miramonti, University of Central Florida
Mattan W. Hoffman, University of Central Florida
Ran Wang, University of Central Florida
Michael B. La Monica, University of Central Florida
Josh J. Riffe, University of Central Florida
Satoru Tanigawa Ph.D., University of Tsukuba
Jeffrey R. Stout Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Jay R. Hoffman Ph.D., University of Central Florida
International Journal of Exercise Science 9(5): 599-606, 2016.
DOI: 10.70252/GUII1300

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between spatial awareness, agility, and distance covered in global positioning system (GPS) derived velocity zone classifications during a collegiate rugby match. Twelve American collegiate rugby union players (mean±SD; age: 21.2±1.4 y; weight: 85.0±16.0 kg; 7 forwards & 5 backs) on a single team volunteered to participate in this investigation. The distances travelled at low (walking/jogging; <2.7m/s), moderate (cruising/striding; 2.7-5.0 m/s), and high intensities (running/sprinting; >5.0 m/s) were measured for each player using GPS sensors and normalized according to playing time during an official USA Rugby match. Spatial awareness was measured as visual tracking speed from one core session of a 3-dimensional multiple-object-tracking speed (3DMOTS) test (1.35±0.59 cm·sec-1). Agility was assessed utilizing the pro agility (5.05±0.28 sec) and t drill (10.62±0.39 sec). Analysis of variance revealed that athletes travelled the greatest distance during walking/jogging (39.5±4.5 m·min-1) and least distance during running/sprinting (4.9±3.5 m·min-1). Pearson product moment correlations revealed that only distance covered while cruising/striding (20.9±6.5 m·min-1) was correlated to spatial awareness (r=0.798, p=0.002). Agility did not correlate to distance covered at any velocity zone or spatial awareness. Spatial awareness, as determined by 3DMOTS, appears to be related to the moderate intensity movement patterns of rugby union athletes.

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