Pacey Performance Podcast Training load monitoring in rugby union and managing player workloads in-season with Tom Batchelor (Lead Sports Scientist and Conditioning Coach at Harlequins Rugby)
Apr 18, 2019
Tom Batchelor, Lead Sports Scientist and Conditioning Coach at Harlequins Rugby, discusses the intricacies of training load monitoring in rugby union. He shares insights on player workload management, emphasizing the importance of integrating gym and field data. Batchelor reflects on his shift from investment banking to sports science, driven by a passion for athlete performance. He also tackles the challenges of fatigue management and innovative data solutions, highlighting the need for effective communication among coaches to optimize training strategies.
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From Banking To Harlequins
- Tom left banking and trained as a personal trainer while working weekends to break into sports science.
- That transition and spreadsheet skills helped him secure a role at Harlequins and evolve their GPS systems.
Velocity Alone Misleads In Rugby
- GPS velocity bands misrepresent rugby stress because collisions and set pieces show slow velocity but high fatigue.
- Treat slow meters with context, not as inherently easy work.
Use Video And Analyst Logs
- Combine match video and analyst logs with GPS to quantify collisions, tackles and dominant actions.
- Use those counts to judge true game stress rather than relying on speed metrics alone.
