ABSTRACT
This chapter provides critical review of Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) methods, with reference to their relationship with training practices in rugby league and union. Manual timemotion analysis (TMA) requires visual interpretation of the players gait pattern, sub-categorized into incremental movement classifications of: standing, walking, jogging, striding, sprinting, and backward and lateral movements. Semi-automated computerised tracking of players has become a preferred approach to the capture of timemotion characteristics in rugby. Higher sampling frequencies of GPS units have seen accelerations and decelerations emerging as another measure to quantify the demands in rugby. The integrated tri-axial accelerometers with GPS units might be used to generate a measurement known as body load. The integration of heart rate telemetry in portable GPS devices has enabled the monitoring of global training and match demand, with value corresponding to ~75 to 86" of maximum values reported in adult rugby league and rugby union players.
