It is possible with accelerometry to quantify external mechanical load in both limbs during professional rugby league match-play

Abstract

The primary cause of external mechanical loading on rugby league players during match-play is foot-ground impacts. External mechanical load is the mechanical force an athlete exerts into the ground and the reciprocated exertion on the skeletal system. Accelerometry provides a surrogate method for measuring external mechanical load in field settings. However, accelerometry has not previously been used to assess how mechanical load differs across playing positions and limbs during match-play.