The purpose of the study was to verify the suitability of heart rate-index (HR_index) in predicting submaximal oxygen consumption (VO₂), energy expenditure (EE) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) during treadmill running in rugby players. Fifteen professional rugby players (99.8 ± 12.7 kg, 1.85 ± 0.09 m) performed a running incremental test while VO_{2 (}breath-by-breath₎ and heart rate (HR) were measured. HR_index was calculated (actual HR/resting HR) to predict submaximal and maximal VO₂ ({[(HR_index x 6)-5.0] x (3.5 body weight)}) and EE. Measured and predicted VO₂ and EE were compared by two-way RM-ANOVA (method, speed), correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Measured and predicted VO_2max were compared by paired t-test, correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Submaximal VO₂ and EE significantly increased (baseline VO₂: 8.1 ± 1.6 ml·kg^-1·min^-1 VO_2max: 46.8 ± 4.3 ml·kg^-1·min^-1, baseline EE: 0.03 ± 0.01 kcal·kg^-1·min^-1, peak EE: 0.23 ± 0.03 kcal·kg^-1·min^-1) as a function of speed (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 for VO₂ and EE respectively) yet measured and predicted values at equal treadmill speeds were not significantly different (p = 0.17; p = 0.16) and highly correlated (r = 0.95; r = 0.94). The Bland-Altman analysis confirmed a non-significant bias between measured and estimated VO₂ (measured: 40.3 ± 10.7, estimated: 40.7 ± 10.1 ml·kg^-1·min^-1, bias = 1.35 ml·kg^-1·min^-1, z = 1.12, precision = 3.39 ml·kg^-1·min^-1) and EE (measured: 20.0 ± 0.05 kcal·kg^-1·min^-1, estimated: 20.0 ± 0.05 kcal·kg^-1·min^-1, bias = 0.00 kcal·kg^-1·min^-1, z = 0.04, precision = 0.02 kcal·kg^-1·min^-1). Estimated and predicted VO_2max were not statistically different (p = 0.91), highly correlated (r = 0.96), and showed a non-significant bias (bias = 0.17, z = 0.22, precision = 1.29 ml·kg^-1·min^-1). HR_index is a valid field method to track VO₂, EE and VO_2max during running in rugby players.

• HR-index/METs relationship is valid in highly trained individuals.

• HR-index estimates oxygen uptake and energy expenditure in rugby players during running.

• HR-index could also allow indirect estimations of athletes’ maximal oxygen uptake at an individual or group level.

• The main advantages of this method are: i) low costs and minimal staff training requirements ii) time efficiency iii) the possibility to obtain time-resolved EE estimates with daily frequency iv) applicability during matches/training.

• Within the limitation of HR methods, HR-index could give insight into the energetic demands of rugby.