Essay On Rugby Scrum

Abstract:
A rugby scrum is a very important aspect in a rugby union game. Today, it is used as an advantageous play over the opposing team; it is not just a means of restarting a game (1). There is very little research that has looked into what the variables of a rugby scrum can actually contribute to its success. Therefore, this study has looked at which variables significantly determine a winning scrum. 16 active male forward rugby players were recruited for this study, whose ages ranged from 19-48 years old. Anthropometric data, as well as power and strength variables were collected from these players. Certain anthropometric variables, such as body mass and years of playing experience, were expected to contribute to winning scrum. However,

Height was measured using a stadiometer; body mass, muscle mass, fat mass and body mass index (BMI) were determined using a Tanita Body Composition Analyser BF-350. Each player completed questionnaires regarding age, years of experience as well as injury history. Vertical jump was also measured using the stadiometer, to get an estimate of each player’s lower body strength. To determine the vertical jump, each player held a marker in line with his fingers and a dot was placed at two points; the maximum arm stretch of the player while his feet were flat on the ground and the maximum arm stretch of the player when he jumped. The vertical jump measurement was determined as the difference between these two points combined with their mass. Individual maximum pushing force and direction of force were recorded objectively using a custom-built scrum machine. Each player’s fatigue and scrum effort were measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, respectively. Both scales were completed before scrumming and after each successive scrum. An ‘X’ was placed along the 10cm VAS ranging from no fatigue to most fatigue experienced, according to how the player was feeling. An ‘X’ was also placed along the RPE scale from 6-20 according to how much each player thought they had exerted