Quantifying neuromuscular performance of elite rugby union players: Measurement characteristics and moderating factors

Howarth, David John William

Quantifying neuromuscular performance of elite rugby union players: Measurement characteristics and moderating factors

Howarth, David John William

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2025

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Howarth, David John William
dc.date.accessioned	2025-06-02T23:09:08Z
dc.date.available	2025-06-02T23:09:08Z
dc.date.issued	2025
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/187592
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Health.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.description.abstract	This thesis investigates the neuromuscular status of elite rugby union players through longitudinal countermovement jump (CMJ) monitoring. A systematic and agnostic framework for selecting CMJ metrics is proposed, integrating reliability, sensitivity, and covariance considerations. Over four studies, reliability, sensitivity, and covariance were assessed to elucidate how CMJ variables capture changes in neuromuscular function. Study 1 established the inter-day reliability of multiple CMJ metrics, comparing best-versus-average data treatment protocols. Study 2 examined CMJ responses to weekly training stimuli, revealing comparable sensitivity for single and multiple jump data. Study 3 employed principal component analysis to reduce data complexity, identifying highly correlated metric groups across phases of the jump. Study 4 explored the influence of recent training loads on neuromuscular status, highlighting distinct temporal fatigue responses to running volume, session rate of perceived exertion, and resistance training. Collectively, these findings underscore CMJ testing as a robust, efficient method for monitoring neuromuscular status in professional rugby.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US.UTF-8
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/187592/1/thesis.pdf
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	© 2025 David John William Howarth
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/cph
dc.title	Quantifying neuromuscular performance of elite rugby union players: Measurement characteristics and moderating factors	en_US.UTF-8
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*

Abstract:

This thesis investigates the neuromuscular status of elite rugby union players through longitudinal countermovement jump (CMJ) monitoring. A systematic and agnostic framework for selecting CMJ metrics is proposed, integrating reliability, sensitivity, and covariance considerations. Over four studies, reliability, sensitivity, and covariance were assessed to elucidate how CMJ variables capture changes in neuromuscular function. Study 1 established the inter-day reliability of multiple CMJ metrics, comparing best-versus-average data treatment protocols. Study 2 examined CMJ responses to weekly training stimuli, revealing comparable sensitivity for single and multiple jump data. Study 3 employed principal component analysis to reduce data complexity, identifying highly correlated metric groups across phases of the jump. Study 4 explored the influence of recent training loads on neuromuscular status, highlighting distinct temporal fatigue responses to running volume, session rate of perceived exertion, and resistance training. Collectively, these findings underscore CMJ testing as a robust, efficient method for monitoring neuromuscular status in professional rugby.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/187592