Table 6 Fatigue and recovery profiles post match-play and training in male youth rugby union players from England

Johnston et al. [89]

U21 academy (n = 15)

Training (comparison of speed-weights vs. weights-speed training order)

CMJ, muscle soreness, blood lactate, CK, testosterone and cortisol

Speed-weights

CMJ − Pre = 0.40 ± 0.05, 24 h = 0.37 ± 0.06 m; CK − Pre = 485 ± 420, 24 h = 1161 ± 816 u/l; testosterone − Pre = 16.3 ± 3.7, 24 h = 17.4 ± 4.0 mmol/l; cortisol − Pre = 491 ± 103, 24 h = 520 ± 106 mmol/l; lactate − Pre = 1.50 ± 0.72, 24 h = 0.89 ± 0.49 mmol/l; soreness = 1.7 ± 0.8, 24 h = 3.8 ± 1.2 AU

Weights-speed

CMJ − Pre = 0.39 ± 0.06, 24 h = 0.37 ± 0.06 m; CK − Pre = 508 ± 306, 24 h = 1122 ± 946 u/l; testosterone − Pre = 17.1 ± 4.9, 24 h = 17.7 ± 4.6 mmol/l; cortisol − Pre = 516 ± 199, 24 h = 514 ± 100 mmol/l; lactate − Pre = 1.25 ± 0.66, 24 h = 1.31 ± 0.77 mmol/l; soreness = 1.9 ± 0.9, 24 h = 3.7 ± 1.1 AU

Sig (p < 0.05) time effects but no time vs. protocol interactions found

Noon et al. [90]

U18 college (n = 10)

Training (comparison of low vs. high training volume)

CMJ, well-being, resting HR, HRV

Motivation (AU)—low = − 0.7 ± 1.7, high = −1.9 ± 1.9; sleep quality (AU)—low = 0.3 ± 1.1, high = − 1.0 ± 1.1; recovery (AU)—low = − 0.2 ± 1.7, high = − 2.4 ± 1.8; appetite (AU)—low = 0.0 ± 1.7, high = 0.7 ± 0.9; fatigue (AU)—low = 0.2 ± 1.6, high = 0.9 ± 1.6; stress (AU)—low = 0.2 ± 0.2, high = 0.6 ± 1.6; muscle soreness (AU)—low = 1.1 ± 1.5, high = 2.0 ± 1.7; CMJ—low = 37.2 ± 4.4, high = 37.2 ± 4.4 cm; rest HR—low = 58 ± 1, high = 64 ± 4 bpm; in SDNN—low = 1.96 ± 0.09, high = 1.88 ± 0.13; in rMSSD—low = 1.94 ± 0.18, high = 1.81 ± 0.18

Roe et al. [87]

U18 academy (n = 14)

Match-play

Adductor strength

Immediately = − 1.3 ± 2.5 %; ES = − 0.11 ± 0.21; 24 h = − 0.7 ± 3%; ES = − 0.06 ± 0.25; 48 h = 3.8 ± 1.9%, ES = 0.32 ± 0.16; 72 h = 3.1 ± 2.2%, ES = 0.26 ± 0.18

Roe et al. [32]

U18 academy (n = 14)

Match-play

CMJ, PPU, plasma CK and perception of well-being

CMJ mean power immediately = − 5.5 ± 3.3%, 24 h = − 7.0 ± 3.9 %, 48 h = − 5.8 ± 5.4 %, 72 h = − 0.8 ± 3.8 %; PPU flight-time—immediately = − 15.3 ± 7.3%, 24 h = − 11.5 ± 5.7%, 48 h = 3.5 ± 6%, 72 h = − 0.9 ± 5.4%; well-being—24 h = − 24 ± 4.3%, 48 h = − 8.3 ± 5.9%, 72 h = − 3.6 ± 3.7%; CK—immediately = 138.5 ± 33.1%, 24 h = 326 ± 77.6%, 48 h = 176.4 ± 62.4%, 72 h = 56.7 ± 34.5%

Roe et al. [88]

U18 academy (n = 20)

Training (contact vs. no contact training)

CMJ, PPU, CK, 6-item wellbeing

CMJ mean power—24 h post contact = − 2.3 ± 2.4 %, 24 h post non-contact = − 5.4 ± 5.2 % (possibly greater non-contact); PPU flight time—24 h post contact = − 7.3 ± 24.7 %, 24 h post non-contact = 2.7 ± 5.9 % (very likely greater contact); CK—24 h post contact = 88.2 ± 40.7 %, 24 h post non-contact = 0 % (almost certainly greater contact); wellbeing—24 h post contact = − 8.0 ± 4.8 %, 24 h post non-contact = − 3.4 ± 2.2 % (likely greater contact)

Roe et al. [50]

U20 academy (n = 14)

Training (pre-season changes)

CMJ flight time, mean power and mean force, maximum velocity and 3RM front squat

CMJ mean power—likely, very likely or almost certain reductions at week 2 and 5 to 11

CMJ flight time—likely, very likely or almost certain Reductions at week 2, 4 to 6 and 9 to 10.

CMJ mean force—all findings trivial

40 m maximum velocity—very likely improvements in 40 m sprint velocity (5.5 ± 3.6%) occurred between week 1 and week 10

3RM front squat—possible improvements in lower body strength (5.8 ± 2.7%) were made from week 1 to week 10,