Physical fitness of elite women's rugby union players over a ...

3.6.6 Speed
10m and 40m speed
The acceleration and maximum velocity of players over 10 meters and 40 metres, respectively
was evaluated using an electronic sprint timer with photo-electric sensors (Newtest Oy, Oulu,
Finland). The speed test was measured according to Durandt et al. (2006). Players underwent
a 10 minute standardised warm-up (which consisted of low intensity running, a standardized
stretching routine, some moderate to high intensity striding and acceleration sprints) to
familarise themselves with the intensity of the test. An electronic sprint timer was set at chest
height and positioned at 10m and 40m intervals from the start line. The starting position was
standardized for all players. The players started in a two point crouch position and with the
front foot approximately 30cm from the start line, after which they sprinted maximally for
40m through the sensors, with the fastest 10m and 40m times for each player being recorded.
Each player completed two maximal efforts separated by a 5-10 minute recovery period. They
were instructed to run as quickly as possible over 40m distance and to not slow down before
the finish line. Running velocity was measured to the nearest 0.01s, with the fastest 20m and
40m times from the two trials being recorded as their sprint scores.
3.6.7 Muscle Strength Test
1 RM bench press
The 1RM bench press test is a standard test of upper body strength. The test reflects the
maximum load that an individual can press once from the chest (Durandt et al., 2006). The
player lay supine on the bench press machine with feet on the bench with hips and shoulders
in contact with the bench. The player started the test by lowering the 20 kg Olympic bar in a
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