Research on Running Ability of Elite Female Rugby Sevens Players in China

The purpose of this study was to understand running ability of Chinese elite female rugby players competing in rugby sevens matches. Time-motion analyses (global position system) were performed on data of 12 elite female rugby players during 5 competitive matches in series of IRB international tournament in USA. Data revealed that players covered an distance of 1 191.67±162.46 m per game (14 min) . Over this distance, 34% (405.33±64.53 m) was spent standing and walking, 28% (334.33±47.82 m) jogging, 9% (109.3±14.57 m) cruising, 15% (1 76.33±23.12 m) striding, 6% (74.91±33.65 m) high-intensity running, and 6% (91.67±14.64 m) sprinting. The players' work-to-rest ratio was about 1:0.5. The maximal speed, average speed and number of sprints over the game were as follows:6.97±0.38 m/s, 66±4.36 m/min and 5.62±0.58 sprints respectively. There were no differences between demands of running ability on our elite female rugby players at different position. Comparing with foreign elite female rugby sevens players, there were likely disadvantages in running ability of our players.