A field-based fitness testing battery for Rugby League

Rugby league football originated in the north of England in the 1890’s and is now played globally. Participating nations in the southern hemisphere include Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa, with only the British Isles (England, Scotland, and Wales), Ireland, and France representing the Northern Hemisphere. Currently, little data exists regarding the physical demands of professional rugby league, with evidence being solely represented through sub-elite10 and junior players.18 This knowledge however, is fundamental when designing strength and conditioning programmes and specific to this article, fitness testing batteries. Therefore, the purpose of this article is two fold. Firstly, to conduct a needs analysis of rugby league and thus identify the fundamental fitness parameters. Then secondly, compare and contrast tests deemed suitable to assess these and from which a testing battery will be advised. The fitness testing battery will also be considered based on the practical experience gained from working with professional rugby league teams. This is an important step in bridging the gap between the theory and application of sport science, whereby the constraints of the work place can also be commented on