Energia sponsors IRFU ‘Complex Training’ Research Programme

The IRFU and Energia, the electricity provider, have come together to fund an advanced research programme at the University of Limerick.

The IRFU and Energia, the electricity provider, have come together to fund an advanced research programme at the University of Limerick.

The programme, commissioned by the IRFU and funded by Energia, will carry out research into ‘Complex Training’, the objective of which is to understand the best training regimes to achieve strength and power. The purpose of the research is to gain a greater understanding of how to get the best training effect for strength and power using complex training. This technique involves alternating a heavy weight training exercise, such as squatting, with a plyometric’ exercise such as jumping or hopping. Findings from the research will be used in future Irish rugby development programmes.

The research will be carried out at the University of Limerick by Tom Comyns MSC, a former international athlete who has represented Ireland at the World Championships and Olympics. Comyns will work with IRFU National Fitness Director Dr. Liam Hennessy, Lecturer in Biomechanics and head of the UL Research Programme Dr. Drew Harrison and Randell Jensen, a world expert in complex training.

Dr. Liam Hennessy said at the launch of the programme:
We are very pleased that Energia have come on board as sponsors for our Sports Science Research Programme. This is a very important initiative. Sport in Ireland needs such support. With the Biomechanics department at the University of Limerick the IRFU have initiated a programme of research into how best to maximise our players power development. Already the preliminary results of this project are benefiting our players. We look forward to further work that will allow us get the edge’ on our competitors.