Hardest Sport?

Rugby League is the Winner!
Energy supplier Powergen has joined forces with a renowned expert in the field of sports science, Professor Mike Gleeson of Loughborough University, to answer an age old sporting question – which sport uses the most energy?

By measuring the heart rates of football, Rugby Union and Rugby League players, referees and supporters over the course of a season, Powergen has finally answered that question: the most energy sapping sport around is Rugby League.

With its combination of powerful bursts of attacking play and the strenuous nature of defence, Rugby League offers a physical challenge above and beyond other British sports:

A typical Rugby League player uses up to 6,800 Kilojoules of energy per game – roughly 10% more than a football or Rugby Union player
Rugby League players need stamina to cover the estimated 5-10 km a typical player runs in a game
They must be strong to endure the continual pounding of up to 40 tackles per match
The Powergen Player Energy Report found that although the ball is only in play for around 50 minutes during an 80 minute Rugby League game, the intensity of the activity within each passage of play makes for a gruelling physical challenge for even the fittest of players.

And although 50 minutes seems like a short period of time, it should be remembered that players in the rival Rugby Union code only exert themselves for an average of 30 minutes – giving Rugby League players 20 minutes extra to tackle, scrummage, run and pass.


Powergen, which is part of E.ON UK, has also looked into the experience of a typical supporter during a game and found that with its numerous tries and the excitement of video referees, Rugby League also offers the most nerve wracking experience for fans.

Having played all three of the sports mentioned I must agree. It confirms what we Rugby League fans have known all along.