Effects of a Tactical Critical Thinking Program on Tactical Efficiency in Elite Underwater Rugby Male Players

NCT06865287 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UWR Bioethical USB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the Tactical Programme for Critical Thinking (TPCT) on tactical performance and critical thinking (CT) skills in elite male underwater rugby (UWR) players. Twenty-four players (age: 29.38 ± 7.11 years; experience: 10.86 ± 4.82 years) were divided into two groups: one following a structured TPCT intervention and another maintaining their standard training routine (STR). The intervention consisted of 20 sessions (two per week) focused on tactical principles in UWR. Tactical performance was assessed using the RUSTAC test, while critical thinking skills were evaluated with the Critical Thinking Measurement Index.

Conditions

Tactical Index; Critical Thinking Index

Keywords

Tactical Performance Index; Critical Thinking Index; Underwater Rugby; Socio-constructivist Approach

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Tactical Efficiency Index

  Description: Data analysis in this study utilised the Tactical Underwater Rugby Test (RUSTAC) instrument, which has been validated for use in underwater rugby (Content Validity Coefficient: 0.92). RUSTAC provides a comprehensive evaluation of tactical actions in gameplay, focusing on key principles of offensive and defensive phases. The instrument was used to assess five key variables during gameplay: penetration, offensive coverage, space, defensive coverage, and recovery. Additionally, Tactical Performance Indices (TPI) were calculated for both offensive and defensive zones, and general gameplay efficiency. The Tactical Performance Indices are scored on a scale from 0 to 1, where 1 indicates the highest efficiency and 0 the lowest efficiency. Therefore, higher scores represent better tactical performance.

  Week one and Ten

• Critical Thinking

  Critical thinking was assessed using the IMPC OSBA VS2 (Critical Thinking Measurement Index VS2), developed in Medellín, Colombia. This instrument evaluates critical thinking via evaluation, argumentation, analysis, inference, and interpretation. Adapted for participants from Medellín, it ensures cultural relevance. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.659) and validity (KMO 0.52, Bartlett's p\<0.001) were confirmed. It explains 69.48% of variance. Scored 0-100, 100 is highest critical thinking; higher scores indicate better skills.

  Week one and Ten

Study Arms (2)

Standard training routine (STR) group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Both TPCT and STR groups will follow identical underwater rugby training sessions. Structure: Warm-up (15%): Land-based mobility (5 min) + in-water rondos (10 min). Small-Sided Games (30%): Tactical principles via modified scenarios. Full-Team Games (45%): 6v6, 5-min games with 3-min recovery. Cool-down (10%). Training includes 20 sessions: 8 defensive (Containment, Recovery) and 12 offensive (Penetration, Offensive Coverage, Space). SSGs focus on tactical principles: Containment (4v4, restricted defensive movement) → Defensive positioning, communication. Recovery (5v6, interception-based) → Quick transitions, passing accuracy. Penetration (4v2, lane-based) → Offensive coordination, defensive pressure. Offensive Coverage (6v6, restricted movement) → Off-the-ball play, passing options. Space (3v4, defenders in pairs) → Forward movement, spatial awareness.

Other: STR Group

TPCT Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Both TPCT and STR groups followed identical underwater rugby training: Warm-up (15%), SSGs (30%), Full-Team Games (45%), Cool-down (10%). Training included 20 sessions: 8 defensive (Containment, Recovery) and 12 offensive (Penetration, Offensive Coverage, Space). SSGs focused on tactical principles: Containment (4v4) → Defensive positioning, communication. Recovery (5v6) → Quick transitions, passing accuracy. Penetration (4v2) → Offensive coordination, defensive pressure. Offensive Coverage (6v6) → Off-the-ball play, passing options. Space (3v4) → Forward movement, spatial awareness. The TPCT group engaged in 10-min reflective discussions post-warm-up, SSGs, and games. Prompts included: "What key moments defined the activity?" "How effective were our decisions?" "How well did we contain attackers?" "What hindered or helped recovery?" "How could we improve movement and space usage?" Players progressively led discussions, enhancing tactical awareness.

Other: TPCT Group

Interventions

STR Group OTHER

Both TPCT and STR groups will follow identical underwater rugby training sessions. Structure: Warm-up (15%): Land-based mobility (5 min) + in-water rondos (10 min). Small-Sided Games (30%): Tactical principles via modified scenarios. Full-Team Games (45%): 6v6, 5-min games with 3-min recovery. Cool-down (10%). Training includes 20 sessions: 8 defensive (Containment, Recovery) and 12 offensive (Penetration, Offensive Coverage, Space). SSGs focus on tactical principles: Containment (4v4, restricted defensive movement) → Defensive positioning, communication. Recovery (5v6, interception-based) → Quick transitions, passing accuracy. Penetration (4v2, lane-based) → Offensive coordination, defensive pressure. Offensive Coverage (6v6, restricted movement) → Off-the-ball play, passing options. Space (3v4, defenders in pairs) → Forward movement, spatial awareness.

Standard training routine (STR) group

TPCT Group OTHER

Both TPCT and STR groups followed identical underwater rugby training: Warm-up (15%), SSGs (30%), Full-Team Games (45%), Cool-down (10%). Training included 20 sessions: 8 defensive (Containment, Recovery) and 12 offensive (Penetration, Offensive Coverage, Space). SSGs focused on tactical principles: Containment (4v4) → Defensive positioning, communication. Recovery (5v6) → Quick transitions, passing accuracy. Penetration (4v2) → Offensive coordination, defensive pressure. Offensive Coverage (6v6) → Off-the-ball play, passing options. Space (3v4) → Forward movement, spatial awareness. The TPCT group engaged in 10-min reflective discussions post-warm-up, SSGs, and games. Prompts included: "What key moments defined the activity?" "How effective were our decisions?" "How well did we contain attackers?" "What hindered or helped recovery?" "How could we improve movement and space usage?" Players progressively led discussions, enhancing tactical awareness.

TPCT Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• elite male underwater rugby (UWR) players.
• Members of the reigning world club champions (August-October 2023).
• Selected via a non-probabilistic method based on convenience and feasibility.
• Required to have no musculoskeletal injuries at the start of the study.
• Maintained a minimum attendance rate of 80% during pre-intervention training sessions.
• Demonstrated consistent commitment throughout the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Active musculoskeletal injuries at the start of the study that could affect performance.
• Recent history of surgery or severe injuries within the past six months.
• Attendance below 80% in pre-intervention training sessions.
• Lack of commitment to the study, demonstrated by low engagement or inconsistent participation in training.
• Pre-existing medical conditions that could limit participation in high-intensity activities.
• Insufficient competitive experience, meaning players without prior participation in high-level tournaments.
• Use of prohibited substances or doping methods as per current sports regulations.
• Simultaneous participation in another training programme, which could interfere with the study's intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Federal University of Vicosa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Antioquia Institute of Technology

Medellín, Colombia

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Randomization was performed using block random number generation \[16\], with block sizes of 4-6 and stratification based on experience (low: \<2 years, medium: 2-4 years, high: \>4 years). An external individual, independent of the research team, carried out the allocation to ensure unbiased group assignments. To minimize bias, participants were unaware of the study objectives or their group assignments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2025
• First Posted: March 7, 2025
• Study Start: August 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 25, 2023
• Study Completion: October 30, 2023
• Last Updated: March 7, 2025

Record last verified: 2023-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CO (1)