ABSTRACT
Quantification of both internal and external load enables practitioners to modify the demands of training in accordance with training requirements and injury risk reduction. The introduction of video and wearable micro-technology, such as inertial measurement units (IMUs) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) (also referred to as Global Navigation Satellite System; GNSS), has advanced our understanding of the external loads associated with training and match play for rugby players. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) also remain common for monitoring internal training load in the field given their utility. This chapter reviews such methods, examining their relationship with training practices in rugby league and union.
