Anthropometric Profile Assessed by Bioimpedance and Anthropometry Measures of Male and Female Rugby Players Competing in the Spanish National League

Abstract

Different rugby positions make different demands on players. It therefore follows that optimum body composition may vary according to the position played. Using anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) to assess body composition, the present study aimed to compare the effect of sex and position on body composition variables using anthropometry and BIA methods. A total of 100 competitive rugby players (35 women and 65 men) competing in the First Spanish National League were recruited voluntarily and for convenience for this study. In the laboratory, body composition was assessed by anthropometry, following the recommendations established by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), and by direct segmental multi-frequency BIA, following the guidelines established by the Spanish Group of Kinanthropometry (GREC) of the Spanish Federation of Sports Medicine (FEMEDE). We found sex-related differences in height, weight, body mass index and body fat (%) by anthropometry and in body lean mass (%) by DSM-BIA, in 4 of the 6 skinfolds assessed (p < 0.05). We also observed position-related differences in all the variables assessed (p < 0.05) except for lean body mass, as measured by both methods of determining body composition, and front thigh skinfold. Body composition and ∑6skinfolds differs according to sex and playing position, backs (16.6 ± 3.8% and 92.3 ± 33.9 mm,) vs. forwards (20.0 ± 6.7 and 115.3 ± 37.6 mm), and the muscle-adipose (meso-endomorphic somatotype) development predominated in both sexes. Thus, forwards of both sexes are taller, heavier and fatter, possibly due to the specific demands of this position. In addition, body composition measurements vary according to the method used (DSM-BIA vs. anthropometry), indicating that anthropometry is probably the best body composition assessment method.

Match-Play Demands and Anthropometric Characteristics of National and International Women's Fifteen-a-side Rugby Union: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…Two studies reported anthropometric measures by DXA alone (16,60), with 3 studies reporting measures via skinfold (20,22,58), and one study reporting measures by ADP (36). The remaining studies used a combination of DXA and skinfolds (39) and skinfolds and BIA (41), respectively. Anthropometric and body composition metrics are presented in Table 4.…”

“…‖Mean sum of skinfolds calculated by authors from 5 year skinfold site data within Woodhouse et al (58). {Data presented are mean of both methods adopted within Ramos-Alvarez et al (41). Sum of total sites presented in bold are those adopted within relevant studies.…”

“…Anthropometric characteristics of national and international women's R15s players are summarized in Table 4. The mean LM and FM was reported as 51.9 6 5.2 kg and 18.6 6 4.6 kg (16,35,39,41,60), respectively. The mean BF% was reported as 24.7 6 5.4% (20,22,35,39,41,60), with mean BMD and BMC reported as 1.27 6 0.04 g•cm 22 and 3.07 6 0.2 kg (16,39), respectively.…”

“…The mean LM and FM was reported as 51.9 6 5.2 kg and 18.6 6 4.6 kg (16,35,39,41,60), respectively. The mean BF% was reported as 24.7 6 5.4% (20,22,35,39,41,60), with mean BMD and BMC reported as 1.27 6 0.04 g•cm 22 and 3.07 6 0.2 kg (16,39), respectively. Positional differences between forwards and backs within women's R15s players have been assessed in a small number of studies (20,22,39,41,60), with LM, FM, and BF% being found to be higher in forwards than backs.…”

“…The mean BF% was reported as 24.7 6 5.4% (20,22,35,39,41,60), with mean BMD and BMC reported as 1.27 6 0.04 g•cm 22 and 3.07 6 0.2 kg (16,39), respectively. Positional differences between forwards and backs within women's R15s players have been assessed in a small number of studies (20,22,39,41,60), with LM, FM, and BF% being found to be higher in forwards than backs. One study reported data of the playing positions tight 5 (TF), loose forwards (LF), inside backs (IB) and outside backs (OB) for LM (TF: 68.5 6 7.5 kg; LF: 62.9 6 2.3 kg; IB: 55.5 6 4.9; OB: 55.8 6 6.0 kg), FM (TF: 28.2 6 4.7 kg; LF: 21.0 6 3.2 kg; IB: 15.8 6 2.1 kg; OB: 14.9 6 4.0 kg), and BF% (TF: 28.2 6 2.4%; LF: 24.0 6 2.3%; IB: 21.4 6 2.4%; OB: 20.1 6 3.7%) (39).…”