PLAYER INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH & COMMERCIALIZATION (IRDC) UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR NORASRUDIN SULAIMAN NAGOOR MEERA ABDULLAH RAZALIMOHDSALLEH 2004 COPYRIGHT UiTM THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPEED, AGILITY AND QUICKNESS (SAQ) TRAINING PROGRAMME AMONG UNIVERSITY RUGBY PLAYER NORASRUDIN SULAIMAN NAGOOR MEERA ABDULLAH RAZALIMOHDSALLEH A Research Project Report is submitted to Institute of Research & Commercialization (IRDC), University of Technology MARA Shah Alam, Selangor 2004 COPYRIGHT UiTM Tarikh : 1 October 2004 No Fail Projek: 600-IRDC/SKK.5/3/904 Ketua Institut Penyelidikan, Pembangunan & Pengkomersilan Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam Yg Bhg Prof, LAPORAN AKHIR PENYELIDIKAN: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPEED, AGILITY AND QUICKNESS (SAQ) TRAINING PROGRAMME AMONG UNIVERSITY RUGBY PLAYERS Merujuk kepada perkara diatas, bersama-sama ini disertakan 3 (tiga) naskhah Laporan Akhir Penye1idikan bertajuk "THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPEED, AGILITY AND QUICKNESS (SAQ) TRAINING PROGRAMME AMONG UNIVERSITY RUGBY PLAYER" oleh kumpulan penyelidikan dari Fakulti Sains Sukan dan rekreasi, UiTM untuk makluman pihak Prof. Sekian, terima kasih. Yang benar NORASRUDIN SULAIMAN Ketua Projek Penyelidikan COPYRIGHT UiTM This Research report entitled "THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPEED, AGILITY AND QUICKNESS (SAQ) TRAINING PROGRAMME AMONG UNIVERSITY RUGBY PLAYERS" was prepared by Norasrudin Sulaiman (Prinsiple Researcher) and the co-researchers namely Nagoor Meera Abdullah and Razali Mohd Saleh, and submitted to the Institute of Research and Commercialization (IRDC), University Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam as part of the research agreement. RESEARCH GROUP NORASRUDIN SULAIMAN Principle Researcher Co-Researcher: NAGOOR MEERA ABDULLAH RAZALI MOHD SALEH COPYRIGHT UiTM INTRODUCTION Rugby union is a popular game and has a high profile in the sporting world. Rugby World Cup 2000 as the example is the third most watched event after the association of Football world cup and the Olympic game (Grant et. al, 2003). Rugby is a contact sport and basically divided into three type of game, which is 15-a-side, 10-a-side and 7-a-side. This research is concentrate on 7-a-side game that require a very good speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) to determine their level of success. Rugby is not a new game in Malaysia. The earliest record shows that the game being played with great enthusiasm by our predecessors more than a century ago. Progress was slow up to First World War but the game in Malaysia received a tremendous fillip from the visit of the battleship HMS Malaya and the presentation of the HMS Malaya cup. If we analyze the history till now, there is no prestigious trophy has won by Malaysia. What wrong with our players? Based on this problem, this research will focus on training program in speed, agility and quickness (SAQ), which can contribute to enhance performance of the players (Hale, 2001). Basically, rugby is a physical games which a bigger players will have advantage of their body weight. If physical taking into consideration, Malaysian will left far away because we have smaller size if we compare with European. The only way that we can compete is in the 7-a-side game, which is not much depending on body size. A typical 7 side match played 10 to 15 minutes each games, 4 to 6 games per day with frequent on speeding and tackling with short recovery time. As a result, rugby is physically demand, 1 COPYRIGHT UiTM requiring players to draw upon a variety of fitness component including aerobic power, speed and muscular power. Our national 7-a-side team not perform well after the most prormsmg performance in the Commonwealth Games 1998. We have competed in many world- class tournaments but the result is not as good as expected. One of the factors that contributed to this problem is the systematic training approach that is still lacked behind if we compare with other Asian nation who success in rugby like Japan and Chinese Taipei. Every coach asks a number of questions and players involved in rugby, such as how best to train, what type of exercises and how hard should these exercises be done . These questions are important to be answer in order to improve training in rugby. Everybody admires the players who can side step and swerve through a defensive line. Even more important with the tight defense patterns is the ability to escape a tackle by changing direction in short period of time. This reaction is important because it will determine which team will posses the ball and move forward for try. This skills can be trained by creating a simulation in training. Furthermore via fitness exercise training the improvement of Speed, Agility and Quickness (SAQ) can be achieve. This is because training are all interrelated and 2 COPYRIGHT UiTM designated as neuromuscular training. These drills will help the athlete react quicker and will enable to control the muscle with better coordination for better performance. In addition, agility is important because it can increase the ability to move in multiple directions as require in rugby game (Foran, 2001). The SAQ can increase athlete's agility, lateral speed, multidirectional movement and endurance (Hale, 2001). While endurance can keep athlete working at low level of output for a long period. Combination of this two component will increase athletes performance. This research was investigate the effectiveness of six weeks training programme on SAQ among the UiTM rugby players. In addition, it also identifies the suitable program that may help to prepare these rugby players for the rigors competition. By implementing the use of SAQ training, functional and plyometric training principles the average-skilled rugby players may be better prepared for a competitive play. SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY This study is conducted to identify weather the SAQ training may improve the rugby players performance. National Sports Councilor NSC was categorized rugby as one of the sports to be developed for international level. But the national rugby team decreases the performance after the Commonwealth Games 1998. One of the factors that contributed to this decrement is the systematic training approach that is still lacked behind the powerful nations of rugby. By getting this data 3 COPYRIGHT UiTM from the SAQ training, coaches have an idea to design a very specifically, systematic training program that focuses on SAQ in order to improve the athletes performances. PROBLEM STATEMENT Rugby is one of the popular sports especially among the schools, colleges and higher learning institutions. NSC has tried their best to develop the interest in this game by organizing the competition from the grass-root level. The broad-up programmed is very good but unfortunately our national team didn't perform well at international tournament. Other Asian team like Japan and Taiwan is a better team in the international scene and they have proved the size doest meter. Sport scientists and sport development officers have to fine ways and means to develop this sport. One of the way is a systematically approach training which is the best way to compensate the problem. May be we cannot manipulate the size of the players but we can improve athletes ability in speed, agility and quickness as the important factor to distinguish between successful or less successful players or team as well. This entire factor can be manipulated via a proper training programme 4 COPYRIGHT UiTM RESEARCH OBJECTIVE This research will investigate the effect of six weeks training programmed on rugby players which can wider the knowledge in this area. Specifically, this research are concentrating on: 1. To examine the effectiveness of six weeks SAQ training program among UiTM rugby players. 2. To identify the duration of training and training programmed that formulate in this research is suitable to increase the SAQ among the subject 3. To measure the effect ofSAQ training program among university rugby players. HYPOTHESIS H o - There is no significant effect of six weeks SAQ training program among university rugby players. HI - there is a significant effect of six weeks SAQ training program among university rugby players. 5 COPYRIGHT UiTM LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY 1. This study was based on small sample size (n=30). Most of the players are studying and this is difficulty to assemble all the players at one time 2. The researcher can't control/predict some of the factors such as weather and surface of the testing and training ground. 3. The study limited to only 6 weeks due to the commitment of the players to classes and assignments/homework. SCOPE OF WORK This is a field modeling and data collection in made at University Technology Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam. Thirty subject (n=30) are male rugby players from Intekma Lions rugby team and volunteer as a subject. Data collection and training programmed is implemented within the university semester (May to mid April) at University Technology MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. All the subject have (mean SD) 6.50 3.14 years of playing experience. TRAINING PROTOCOL All the subject have to trained three times a week (monday, wednesday and friday) for a period of six weeks. Selection of this period is based on previous research stated that the minimum effect of training is within 6 weeks time (Sanz, l.R. et aI., 2001). The Detail of the training programmed are as shown in appendix A. 6 COPYRIGHT UiTM DEFINITION OF TERMS For the purpose of the study the following terms are defined: - (1) Speed refers to rapidly of movement over period of time (Bridgeman, 1992). For this research, comparison of speed of varsity rugby players before and after undergo of 6 weeks is measured. (2) Agility refers to ability to change the body position or direction of the body rapidly (Brown, 2000). For this research, comparison of agility of varsity rugby player before and after undergo 6 weeks of training is measured. (3) Quickness refers as explosive acceleration from a stationary position (Twist, 1997). For this research, comparison of agility of varsity rugby player before and after undergo 6 weeks of training of training is measured. (4) University Rugby Players refers to the rugby players who aged between (21 - 32 years old) and represent the varsity team in intervarsity tournament. All of them have experience of playing for at least 3 to 15 years in local tournament. (5) Six weeks Training programmed is refer to the training programmed that formulate by researcher based on three days of training on Speed, Agility and Quickness and playing rugby tab in between the training days. (Appendix A) 7 COPYRIGHT UiTM RESEARCH DESIGN Chart 1: Study Design 30 male rugby players (n=30) has agreed to be a subject for this research PRE-TEST 40m Sprint Test Hexagon Agility Test 10m Quickness Test All the subject underwent 6 weeks SAQ training programmed (appendix A) POST-TEST 40m Sprint Test Hexagon Agility Test 10 m Quickness Test Data were analyze using SPSS version 11.5 Report writing 1 1 8 COPYRIGHT UiTM LITERATURE REVIEW Rugby union is a popular game and has a high profile in the sporting world. Rugby World Cup 2000 as the example is the third most watched event after the association of Football world cup and the Olympic game (Grant et. al, 2003). Rugby is a contact sport and basically divided into three type of game, which is 15-a-side, 10-a-side and 7-a-side. This research is concentrate on 7-a-side game that require a very good speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) to determine their level of success. Rugby is not a new game in Malaysia. The earliest record shows that the game being played with great enthusiasm by our predecessors more than a century ago. Progress was slow up to First World War but the game in Malaysia received a tremendous fillip from the visit of the battleship HMS Malaya and the presentation of the HMS Malaya cup. If we analyze the history till now, there is no prestigious trophy has won by Malaysia. What wrong with our players? Based on this problem, this research will focus on training program in speed, agility and quickness (SAQ), which can contribute to enhance performance of the players (Hale, 2001). Basically, rugby is a physical games which a bigger players will have advantage of their body weight. If physical taking into consideration, Malaysian will left far away because we have smaller size if we compare with European. The only way that we can compete is in the 7-a-side game, which is not much depending on body size. A typical 7 side match played 10 to 15 minutes each games, 4 to 6 games per day with frequent on speeding and tackling plus short recovery time. As a result, rugby is physically demand, 9 COPYRIGHT UiTM requiring players to draw upon a variety of fitness component including aerobic power, speed and muscular power. The SAQ training for speed, agility and quickness is designed to enhance athlete's ability through movement and performance details. SAQ training improves the reflective, explosive and precise. The activities include drills utilizing plyometrics (explosive movement such as jumping and bounding), ladder and cone drills, bungee skills, strength and power weight training. The athlete will have to improve their speed, rapid acceleration changes, explosive lateral movement and quicker movement (Brown, 2000). According to Active Karma Staff (2000), cardiovascular end, as which is the ability to exercise the whole body for long periods and have the circulatory and respiratory systems supply the oxygen. The body needs to keep on going to supply the body with oxygen needed to sustain physical activity, the heart muscle must be strong, the lungs healthy and the blood vessels unobstructed. Cardiovascular fitness is mandatory for being fit. The aerobic system can keep you working at a low level of output beyond the capacity of the aerobic system only by using the anaerobic system (Shaw, 1997). 10 COPYRIGHT UiTM The United States Tennis Association used the hexagon test for assessing the agility among players. They found that the test is a valid predictor of the players performance, despite that the tennis players are required to move across the areas that are much larger than the hexagon test (Roetert and Woods, 1995). The hexagon test is to measure agility that involves balance and coordination while moving the feet quickly around the hexagon from the center to each of the 6 sides (Roetert and Woods, 1995). The test purposely measures foot quickness as the subjects face in one direction and execute 2-legged hops backwards, forwards and sideways. According to Pauole et. al. (2000), 40m tests is commonly used to measures leg speed ability. This test appears to be highly reliable (r < 0.53) and measures a combination of components, including leg speed, leg power and agility. It also used to differentiate between those who participated at higher levels competitions or lower levels of competitions. Objective of an evaluation of the speed test is to monitor the progress of the athlete's ability to move effectively and efficiently to build acceleration from a standing start position or from a starting block to a maximum speed (Sports Coach, 2000). This test can be used to measure improvement, enable the coach to assess the success or efficiency of the training of the training program and to motivate the athletes. 11 COPYRIGHT UiTM Speed defined as the rapidly of movement, is commonly tested with running (Baechle, 1994). It has been tested with tested with the 20-m (Bridgeman, 1992), 40-m (Etcheberry, 1992) and the 100-m (Bridgeman, 1992). Accelaration has also been determined by timing the intervals between 10-m, 20-m and 40-m during the 40-m. Speed is often tested with the 40-m burst. It is doubtful that you can test the core speed beyond that mark. According to Allerheiligen (1994), stride frequency, stride length and speed endurance involves all effects running speed. By improving stride frequency the players can reduce the amount of time between steps. One of the best ways to increase stride frequency is through sprint- assisted training. Downhill and Towing are two examples of sprint-assisted training that can improved stride frequency. Agility is the ability to maintain and control correct body position while quickly changing direction through a series of movement. Agility training is an important component that often seems to be neglected. The purpose of the agility drills is to improve the ability of the footwork, quickness and mobility. Agility, leg power and leg speed are believed to be an important physical component necessary for successful performance in many sports and recreational activities. The leg power can be measured by using the hexagon test. 12 COPYRIGHT UiTM The objective of the Hexagonal Obstacle Test is to monitor the athlete's agility (Sports Coach, 2000). This test used on a regular basis that can be used to predict performance, indicate weakness, measure improvement enable the coach to access the successful of the specific training program, justify the athlete in a group of players according to their levels, and also motivate the athlete. Quickness is the ability to read and react to the situation. It is a multi-directional skill that combines explosive, reaction and acceleration (Yap et. aI., 2000) RESEARCH METHOD Basically this research is concentrate on three major factors which is; i. to examine the effectiveness of six weeks SAQ training program among UiTM rugby players; ii to identify the training programmeD that formulate in this research suitable to increase the SAQ among the subject; and iii. to measure the effect of SAQ training program among UiTM rugby players. TEST SELECTION. 1. SEMO agility test. 1.1. Objective : to measure general agility of the body in maneuvering forward, backward and sideward. 1.2. Reliability: 0.88 1.3. Objectivity: .97 1.4. Validity : .63 13 COPYRIGHT UiTM 1.5. Equipment and materials: 1.5.1. 3.66 meters x 5.79 meters running space, 1.5.2.4 plastic cone 1.5.3. Stopwatch. 1.6. Direction. 1.6.1. The cones are placed squarely in each comer ( refer diagram) 1.6.2. At the signal "ready" ,"go", the student side step from cone A to B passes outside the cone. 1.6.3. Backpedals from cone B to D, passes outside the cone. 1.6.4. Sprint from D to A, passes outside the cone. 1.6.5. Backpedals from cone A to C, passes outside the cone. 1.6.6. Sprint from C to B, passes outside the cone. 1.6.7. Then backpedals from cone B to A until the finishing line 1.6.8. the best from 2 trial will be recorded and at least one practice trial should be given. 2. 40 meters sprint test. 2.1. Objective: to measure speed 2.2. Reliability: 0.53 2.3.Equipment and materials: 2.3.1. 40 meters running space. 2.3.2. 4 plastic cone. 2.3.3. Measuring tape 2.3.4. Stopwatch. 14 COPYRIGHT UiTM 2.4. Direction: 2.4.1. Subject must be in a ready position and their foot must be exactly back of the starting line. 2.4.2. The time will be taken exactly after subject cross the starting line and finished with torso cross the finishing line. 2.4.3. The subject have to run as fast as possible all the way covered 40 meter runnmg space. 2.4.4. Each subject are allowed three trials and the fastest time will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 second. 3. Choice-response test. 3.1. Objective: to measure the ability to react and move quickly and accurately in accordance with the choice stimulant. 3.2. Validity : Face validity 3.3. Reliability: 0.87 3.4. Objectivity: 0.83 3.5.Equipment and materials: 3.5.1. Measuring tape 3.5.2. 4 plastic cone 3.5.3. Stopwatch. 3.6. Direction: 3.6.1. Two side line is marked 6.4 meters apart. 3.6.2. The tester holding the stopwatch in an upraise hand. 15 COPYRIGHT UiTM 3.6.3. The tester then abruptly waves an arm to either lest or right and simultaneously starts the watch. 3.6.4. The subject will responds to the hands signal by running as quick as possible in the indicate direction to the boundary line. 3.6.5. The watch will stopped when the subject crosses the line. 3.6.6. 10 trial is given,S for each side, but in a random sequence. 3.6.7. A rest interval of at least 20 second in provided between each trial. SELECTION OF THE SUBJECT Thirty University rugby players (n=30) are volunteer to became a subject of this research. All of them have an experience of playing rugby in local tournament and some of them are the national players and playing at international tournament. They came from various courses in University technology MARA. DATA COLLECTION Descriptive statistics are utilized on anthropometries measurement of age, height and Body Mass Index (BMI). All the subject were underwent pre-test for SAQ and the data will be recorded. After six week underwent the training program, subject have to perform post- test and the data were recorded. Pair sample t-test are used to determine the differences between post-test and pre-test. In addition, raw data are analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 11.5). Alpha set at .05 for statistic significance (a< 0.05 or 95% of confidant level) 16 COPYRIGHT UiTM RESULT. Thirty University rugby players (n=30) are volunteer to became a subject of this research. All of them have an experience of playing rugby in local tournament and some of them are the national players and playing in international tournament. They came from various faculty in University technology MARA. Table 1: Descriptive analysis for anthropometries data (n=30) Age(years) Height(cm) Body mass experience(years) Mean Standard Deviation 22.90 2.19 172.53 6.05 25.38 4.82 6.50 3.14 The descriptive analysis were perform to describe the anthropometries of the subject. Thirty university rugby players (n=30, (mean standard deviation) age 22.90 2.19 years, height 172.53 6.05 em and body mass 25.38 4.82 and experience of playing 6.50 3.14 years) are volunteer to participate in this research. 17 COPYRIGHT UiTM Figure 1: Descriptive analysis of anthropometries data age height o body mass o experience n=30 mean anthropometrisc data std. dev. Thirty University rugby players (n=30) are volunteer to became a subject of this research. All the mean and standard deviation on the anthropometries data can be seen clearly on figure 1. Mean for age of the subject is 22.90 years old with standard deviation 2.19 years. Mean height of all the subject recorded 172.53 em with standard 18 COPYRIGHT UiTM deviation 6.05 cm. Mean for body mass index is 25.38 with standard deviation 4.82 and mean for experience of playing is 6.50 years and standard deviation 3.14 years. Table 2 : Maximum and minimum range of anthropometries data Age(years) Height(cm) Body mass experience(years) N 30 30 30 30 Minimum 20 158.00 16.98 1 Maximum 32 183.00 35.46 14 Based on table 1, minimum age of the subject is 20 years old and the oldest subject is 32 years old. The highest subject is 183.00 em and the shortest is 158.00 em. This is because of the various position in rugby like second row require taller players because they will acted as a boll contestant in line-out. There are one players recorded under weight 16.98 and the maximum recorded 35.45 which in obesity condition. The most experience players have 14 years of experiences of playing and the lowest is 1 years of playing experi ence. 19 COPYRIGHT UiTM Figure 2 : maximum and minimum range of anthropometries data n .min o max age height bmass ex anthropometric data of subject All the data that discussed in table 2 can be seen clearly in figure 2. The different between age maximum and minimum of the subject ; the shortest and the tallest subject: the range in body mass index: and the most experience and less experience subject. The different in the anthropometries data are because they came from different position in rugby. Subject that playas a forward usually heavier than the subject that playas a back line. 20 COPYRIGHT UiTM