THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPEED, AGILITY AND QUICKNESS

(SAQ) TRAINING PROGRAMME AMONG UNIVERSITY RUGBY

PLAYER

INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH & COMMERCIALIZATION (IRDC)

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA
SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR

NORASRUDIN SULAIMAN
NAGOOR MEERA ABDULLAH
RAZALIMOHDSALLEH

2004

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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

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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
PLA YER" oleh kumpulan penyelidikan dari Fakulti Sains Sukan dan rekreasi, UiTM
untuk makluman pihak Prof.

Sekian, terima kasih.

Yang benar

NORASRUDIN SULAIMAN
Ketua
Projek Penyelidikan

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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

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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,
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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 worldclass 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
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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

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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

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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

Ho- 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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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,
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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).

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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.

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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 sprintassisted 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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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

Age(years)

Height(cm)

Body mass

experience(years)

(n=30)
Mean
Standard Deviation

22.90

172.53

25.38

6.50

2.19

6.05

4.82

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.

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Figure 1: Descriptive analysis of anthropometries data

age
height

o body mass
o experience

n=30

mean

std. dev.

anthropometrisc data

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

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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

Minimum

Maximum

Age(years)

30

Height(cm)

30

158.00

183.00

Body mass

30

16.98

35.46

experience(years)

30

20

32

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 experience.

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Figure 2 : maximum and minimum range of anthropometries data

.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.

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