A systematic review of small sided games within rugby: Acute and chronic effects of constraints manipulation

Small-sided games is a commonly used training method to develop technical, tactical and physical qualities concurrently. However, a review of small-sided games in rugby football codes (e.g. rugby union, rugby league) is not available. This systematic review aims to investigate the acute responses and chronic adaptations of small-sided games within rugby football codes considering the constraints applied. Four electronical databases were systematically searched until August 2020. Acute and chronic studies investigating rugby football codes small-sided games, with healthy amateur and professional athletes were included. Twenty studies were eventually included: 4 acute and 1 chronic in rugby union, 13 acute and 2 chronic in rugby league. Acute studies investigated task and individual constraints. Chronic studies showed that small-sided games would be an effective training method to improve physical performance. Current research in rugby football codes is heavily biased towards investigating how manipulating constraints can affect the physical characteristics of small-sided games, with limited literature investigating the effect on technical skills, and no studies investigating tactical behaviour. Future research is needed to evidence the effects of constraint manipulation on technical and tactical behaviour of rugby football players in small-sided games, in addition to physical characteristics.