Body composition differences by age and playing standard in male rugby union and rugby league: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Geeson-Brown, Tom; Jones, Ben; Till, Kevin; Chantler, Sarah; Deighton, Kevin

doi:10.1080/02640414.2020.1775990

Cited by 21 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…The demands of rugby require athletes to have high levels of lower-body and upper-body strength and power 8 . Rugby players have high levels of lean mass 9 , in comparison to other sports (e. g. soccer) 10 , in addition to well-developed aerobic and anaerobic running capacities 11 12 . Strength and power are related to general athletic qualities (e. g. speed, acceleration and change of direction) 13 and rugby-specific ones (e. g. tackling) 14 15 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Returning to Play after Prolonged Training Restrictions in Professional Collision Sports

et al. 2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has resulted in widespread training disruption in many sports. Some athletes have access to facilities and equipment, while others have limited or no access, severely limiting their training practices. A primary concern is that the maintenance of key physical qualities (e. g. strength, power, high-speed running ability, acceleration, deceleration and change of direction), game-specific contact skills (e. g. tackling) and decision-making ability, are challenged, impacting performance and injury risk on resumption of training and competition. In extended periods of reduced training, without targeted intervention, changes in body composition and function can be profound. However, there are strategies that can dramatically mitigate potential losses, including resistance training to failure with lighter loads, plyometric training, exposure to high-speed running to ensure appropriate hamstring conditioning, and nutritional intervention. Athletes may require psychological support given the challenges associated with isolation and a change in regular training routine. While training restrictions may result in a decrease in some physical and psychological qualities, athletes can return in a positive state following an enforced period of rest and recovery. On return to training, the focus should be on progression of all aspects of training, taking into account the status of individual athletes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Returning to Play after Prolonged Training Restrictions in Professional Collision Sports

et al. 2020

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“…The body mass difference between the two groups highlights the increased requirement of size within the professional rugby game. 32 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short and long-term differences in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance between male rugby players that became professional or remained amateur

Hamlin

Deuchrass

Elliot

et al. 2021

Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness

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Objective The objective of this study was to investigate which anthropometric and physical performance variables characterised players that advanced to professional teams (professionals) and how these variables changed over time, compared to those that did not secure professional contracts (i.e. remained amateurs). Methods Differences in anthropometry, strength, speed, power and intermittent running ability in 83 male rugby players collected between 2015 and 2019 were determined using repeated measures analysis. Results When arriving for the first year of the program, forwards that went on to become professional players were older (0.4 ± 0.3 yr, mean ± 95% CI, p = 0.004), heavier (4.6 ± 2.5 kg, p < 0.001) and stronger (range 6.2–16.4%) than forwards that remained amateur. Professional forwards were also slower at sprinting (range −2.7–2.9%, p < 0.001) and had lower Yo-Yo IRT L1 (−10.8%, p = 0.03). When first arrived on the program, professional backs were taller (3.5 ± 1.8 cm, p < 0.001), heavier (4.6 ± 2.4 kg, p < 0.001) and faster over 20 m (−1.9 ± 1.7%, p = 0.03) and 30 m (−1.7 ± 1.6%, p = 0.04) compared to amateurs. Compared to amateurs, professionals had a smaller increase in body mass (−4.2 ± 2.0%, p < 0.001) and greater improvement in sprinting (3.7, 2.8, 2.8% over 10, 20 and 30-m, respectively) and Yo-Yo IRT L1 (14.7 ± 11.0%, p = 0.05) over 3 years training. Conclusion Characteristics that are likely to assist players in becoming professionals include being older, heavier, taller and stronger.

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“…Consistent with previous research using strength assessments whereby absolute strength showed differences, but relative measures did not [ 42 , 43 ]. The absolute strength and sprint momentum differences may be apparent due to the positional demands, with forwards being involved in more contact- and collision-based activities during match play, requiring forwards to have greater absolute strength, body mass, and fat-free mass [ 12 , 13 , 44 ]. As backs display a greater frequency of jumping and sprinting actions than forwards, it could be expected that greater relative force capabilities would be apparent due to the relationships between lower body relative strength, power, and sprint performance [ 13 , 23 , 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sprint and Jump Mechanical Profiles in Academy Rugby League Players: Positional Differences and the Associations between Profiles and Sprint Performance

Nicholson

Dinsdale

Jones

et al. 2021

Sports

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This cross-sectional study evaluated the sprint and jump mechanical profiles of male academy rugby league players, the differences between positions, and the associations between mechanical profiles and sprint performance. Twenty academy rugby league players performed 40-m sprints and squat jumps at increasing loads (0–80 kg) to determine individual mechanical (force-velocity-power) and performance variables. The mechanical variables (absolute and relative theoretical maximal force-velocity-power, force-velocity linear relationship, and mechanical efficiency) were determined from the mechanical profiles. Forwards had significantly (p < 0.05) greater vertical and horizontal force, momentum but jumped lower (unloaded) and were slower than backs. No athlete presented an optimal jump profile. No associations were found between jump and sprint mechanical variables. Absolute theoretical maximal vertical force significantly (p < 0.05) correlated (r = 0.71–0.77) with sprint momentum. Moderate (r = −0.47) to near-perfect (r = 1.00) significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between sprint mechanical and performance variables. The largest associations shifted from maximum relative horizontal force-power generation and application to maximum velocity capabilities and force application at high velocities as distance increased. The jump and sprint mechanical profiles appear to provide distinctive and highly variable information about academy rugby league players’ sprint and jump capacities. Associations between mechanical variables and sprint performance suggest horizontal and vertical profiles differ and should be trained accordingly.

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Body composition differences by age and playing standard in male rugby union and rugby league: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Body composition differences by age and playing standard in male rugby union and rugby league : A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences.

Cited by 21 publications

References 88 publications

Returning to Play after Prolonged Training Restrictions in Professional Collision Sports

Returning to Play after Prolonged Training Restrictions in Professional Collision Sports

Short and long-term differences in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance between male rugby players that became professional or remained amateur

Sprint and Jump Mechanical Profiles in Academy Rugby League Players: Positional Differences and the Associations between Profiles and Sprint Performance

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