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A composite readiness index (4-dRI) decreases by approximately 30% at 24 hours post-match in youth rugby players

The study found that a composite readiness index (4-dRI), integrating subjective measures of fatigue, mood, sleep quality, and muscle soreness, decreased by about 30% at 24 hours after a match (p < 0.001). Higher GPS-derived match loads were associated with lower readiness on the day after the match. The Adductor Squeeze Test showed moderate associations with the 4-dRI, while the Sit-and-Reach Test was less responsive.

Last updated: Jul 29, 2026โ€ข0 RCTsโ€ข๐Ÿ“– Read as article โ†’

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCTโ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Meta-analysisโ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Mechanismโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Safetyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Monitoring Match-Related Fatigue in Youth Rugby Players Using a Readiness Index and Clinical Tests.

observational

Giuliano P, Vitucci D, Pacini D, Orr&#xf9; S, Mancini A ยท Sports (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Monitored every four consecutive days (match day through MD+3)
Intervention: Monitoring of readiness using a composite readiness index (4-dRI) and clinical tests (Adductor Squeeze Test, Sit-and-Reach Test) over four consecutive days post-match
Outcome: Composite readiness index (4-dRI) score, Adductor Squeeze Test performance, Sit-and-Reach Test performance, GPS-derived match load metrics
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 28 male youth rugby players (mean age 17.8 ยฑ 0.2 years) from a single team

Result:

PubMed: 42506831DOI: 10.3390/sports14070288

Mechanism Graph

Match demands induce subjective fatigue, mood changes, sleep disruption, and muscle soreness
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These dimensions are normalized to individual best values and combined into a composite readiness index (4-dRI)
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The 4-dRI decreases significantly at 24 hours post-match, reflecting reduced perceived readiness
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Higher GPS-derived match loads exacerbate this reduction in readiness

Limitations

  • โš Single-team study with a small sample size (n=28), limiting generalizability
  • โš Subjective measures may be influenced by individual variability and reporting bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 4-dRI and how is it calculated?โ–ผ

The 4-dRI is a composite readiness index that combines four subjective dimensions (fatigue upon waking, mood, sleep quality, and muscle soreness), each normalized to individual best values, yielding a score between 0 and 1.

How much did readiness decrease after a match?โ–ผ

The 4-dRI decreased by approximately 30% at 24 hours post-match, indicating a substantial reduction in perceived readiness.

Which clinical test was most responsive to changes in readiness?โ–ผ

The Adductor Squeeze Test showed moderate associations with the 4-dRI (ฯ = 0.40, p < 0.05), while the Sit-and-Reach Test was less responsive to short-term changes.

What population was studied in this research?โ–ผ

The study included 28 male youth rugby players with a mean age of 17.8 ยฑ 0.2 years from a single team.

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References

  1. 1.Giuliano P, Vitucci D, Pacini D, Orr&#xf9; S, Mancini A. "Monitoring Match-Related Fatigue in Youth Rugby Players Using a Readiness Index and Clinical Tests.." Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. PMID: 42506831 DOI: 10.3390/sports14070288
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.