{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The physical, technical and tactical demands of on-field training drills in professional Rugby league: a systematic scoping review.
{Author}: Walker JM;Slattery KM;Coutts AJ;
{Journal}: Sci Med Footb
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 28
{Factor}: 3.331
{DOI}: 10.1080/24733938.2024.2369526
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The main objectives of this scoping review were to conduct a systematic search on the physical, technical and tactical demands of rugby league training, consolidate and summarise key findings and identify any existing gaps in knowledge.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A systematic online search of Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus was conducted from earliest record to 6 August 2023 and supplemented by manually searching reference lists. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist was followed. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they investigated the physical, technical and/or tactical demands of rugby league training within all levels of competition and included either male or female participants.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The initial search yielded 637 papers, 25 of which were included in the review. Of these studies, the majority (n = 19) exclusively examined the physical demands of training, one paper exclusively examined the technical demands of training, five studies included both physical and technical demands, and no studies examined the tactical demands of training. Small-sided games was the most prevalent drill included within investigations examining the physical and technical demands of various rugby league training drills.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The present review was the first to scope peer-reviewed literature on the multifaceted demands (i.e. physical, technical and tactical) demands of rugby league training. It is apparent that this area is under researched, specifically in literature examining the technical and tactical elements of rugby league training.<BR>Of the available literature examining the multifaceted demands of rugby league training, the majority investigated the physical demands, with a peak of four publications in 2012 and 2022 and an average number of one to two publications per year since its introduction (i.e. 2010). There is only a small number of studies available investigating the technical demands of rugby league training.While research has identified the importance of tactics to successful rugby league performance, there has been no investigations on the tactical demands within rugby league training. Accordingly, it is unknown how coaches meet their tactical objectives within training drills and training design to prepare for competition.There is a clear gap in research investigating the technical and tactical demands of rugby league training as well as the absence of team-based training drills included within available studies investigating the physical demands. Accordingly, future investigations should prioritise incorporating these elements within their research design.