Differences Between Conditioning Support And Competitive Goal Level: Internet-Based Survey Of Japanese Junior Rugby Players

We have initiated an exploratory study to establish a conditioning support system for Japanese junior rugby players from 2021. As an initial step, we surveyed the coaches and families of the junior rugby players in Japan regarding conditioning support. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the team's competitive goal level and the implementation status of conditioning support. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the competitive goal level and conditioning support for Japanese junior rugby players on their teams. METHODS: This study employed a web-based cross-sectional design. We recruited participants through snowball sampling, informed them about the URL to help access the survey screen, and asked them to respond to it. The implementation status for conditioning support were 14 categories (first aid, condition management and infectious disease control, anti-doping, medical check-up, strength training, injury prevention, rehabilitation for injury recovery, biomechanics, performance assessment, psychological, nutrition, sleep, “countermeasures for heat, cold, and high altitude”, and female-specific health problem). The competitive goal level were compared in 3 groups (national competitions, prefectural competitions, and not considering). RESULTS: The study included 694 (497 men) analysis participants: 325 coaches, 258 families, and 111 in both the roles. The competitive goal level were 373 national competitions, 159 prefectural competitions, and 162 not considering. Significant differences were shown in the five categories of anti-doping, strength training, rehabilitation for injury recovery, performance assessment, and nutrition, with the two groups with a competitive goal level providing more conditioning support than the group not considering it (p < 0.05). The nutrition category showed a significant difference, with “national competitions” providing more conditioning support than “prefectural competitions” (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the status of conditioning support differs depending on the competitive goal level. To support more teams, it was considered necessary to consider the competitive goal level. Supported by: JSPS KAKENHI Grant