Changes in Anthropometry and Performance, and Their Interrelationships, Across Three Seasons in Elite Youth Rugby League Players

Waldron, Mark; Worsfold, Paul; Twist, Craig; Lamb, Kevin L.

doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000000445

Cited by 25 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…Linear speed data for elite youth rugby league players over 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 m are presented in Table 2. Linear speed has been shown to differentiate between age categories within some studies [17, 20, 23–26] but not others [19, 21]. Differences between playing level [13, 24–28] and playing position [17, 21, 24, 26, 39, 43] have consistently been identified, highlighting greater speed in elite compared to sub-elite players, and backs compared to forwards.…”

Section: Linear Speedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Height and body mass have been shown to increase with age in elite [17, 19–23] and sub-elite players [24, 25], are greater within elite compared with sub-elite levels [13, 26–28], and are higher in forwards than backs [17, 21, 29, 30]. Findings in elite players aged between 13 and 15 years [17] showed that 92.4 and 33.3% of players were taller and 96.0 and 30.3% were heavier than the UK 50th and 97th growth percentiles, respectively [31].…”

Section: Anthropometric Qualitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is recommended that practitioners are aware of the variability in the development of height and body mass into adulthood, and track such measures in their players into the early 20s. In addition, data on further anthropometric characteristics such as limb length, limb circumference and muscle cross-sectional area [23], as well as somatotype [32], are limited in current research and may provide a more detailed evaluation of the anthropometric characteristics important for player development within youth rugby league players. Other factors such as ethnicity also require further consideration [32].…”

Section: Anthropometric Qualitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sum of skinfolds generally does not differentiate between age categories [17, 19–21, 23, 25] but does differ between junior and senior sub-elite players [39], is reduced in elite compared with sub-elite players [13, 27, 28], and is greater in forwards than backs [17, 21, 32, 39]. Research findings generally show sum of four skinfold values of 30 and 40 mm in backs and forwards, respectively [21], with recent research using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) demonstrating body composition values of 16 and 20% for backs and forwards, respectively [30].…”

Section: Body Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lack of differences between age categories [17, 19–21, 23, 25] and limited change in longitudinal data in players in the under 13–15 [20, 22] and under 16–20 age categories [34, 38] suggest greater stability of skinfolds with age than with height and body mass. However, studies examining seasonal changes in sum of skinfolds [35, 40] show reductions during the season.…”

Section: Body Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropometric and Physical Qualities of Elite Male Youth Rugby League Players

2017

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Rugby league is a collision team sport played at junior and senior levels worldwide, whereby players require highly developed anthropometric and physical qualities (i.e. speed, change-of-direction speed, aerobic capacity, muscular strength and power). Within junior levels, professional clubs and national governing bodies implement talent identification and development programmes to support the development of youth (i.e. 13–20 years) rugby league players into professional athletes. This review presents and critically appraises the anthropometric and physical qualities of elite male youth rugby league players aged between 13 and 20 years, by age category, playing standard and playing position. Height, body mass, body composition, linear speed, change-of-direction speed, aerobic capacity, muscular strength and power characteristics are presented and demonstrate that qualities develop with age and differentiate between playing standard and playing position. This highlights the importance of anthropometric and physical qualities for the identification and development of youth rugby league players. However, factors such as maturity status, variability in development, longitudinal monitoring and career attainment should be considered to help understand, identify and develop the physical qualities of youth players. Further extensive research is required into the anthropometric and physical qualities of youth rugby league players, specifically considering national standardised testing batteries, links between physical qualities and match performance, together with intervention studies, to inform the physical development of youth rugby league players for talent identification and development purposes.

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Section: Linear Speedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Anthropometric Qualitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Anthropometric Qualitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Body Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Body Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropometric and Physical Qualities of Elite Male Youth Rugby League Players

2017

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Optimising Physique for Sports Performance

Slater

O’Connor

Kerr

2017

Best Practice Protocols for Physique Assessment in Sport

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The efficacy of repetitions-in-reserve vs. traditional percentage-based resistance training: a 4-week pre-season randomized intervention in elite rugby league players

2021

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Purpose This two-experiment study aimed to examine (1) the accuracy and reliability of repetitions-in-reserve and (2) using a randomized trial, the efficacy of repetition-in-reserve compared to traditional percentage-based training during a 4-week pre-season strength training block in elite rugby league players. Methods In experiment 1, participants performed deadlift, bench press and weighted pull up exercises for 3, 6, and 9 repetitions to failure using self-selected loads. This was undertaken on two occasions, separated by 8-weeks. In experiment 2, participants were randomly separated into either repetitions-in-reserve or percentage-based training groups. They completed a 4-week pre-season training block with training prescribed based on the group to which they were assigned. Measures of body mass and 3 repetition max strength in the aforementioned exercises were measured pre and post intervention. Results Experiment 1 showed that repetitions-in-reserve exhibited generally acceptable levels of accuracy and moderate-good levels of reliability. However, the deadlift when the required number of repetitions was 6 and 9 and the bench press when number of repetitions was 9 were not associated with acceptable levels of accuracy and reliability, respectively. Experiment 2 showed that there were no differences between repetitions-in-reserve or percentage-based training group for the strength outcomes, although there were significant increases in body mass in the percentage-based group (pre = 85.6 ± 10.6 kg, post = 86.4 ± 10.8 kg). Conclusion Repetitions-in-reserve is generally associated with acceptable levels of accuracy and moderate-good levels of reliability, although there were some exceptions for the deadlift in relation to accuracy and bench press for reliability. Experiment 2 shows that although there were no differences between groups for the strength-based outcomes, significant increases in body mass in the percentage-based group may make this approach a more effective approach to prepare players for the rigors of the rugby league season.

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Changes in Anthropometry and Performance, and Their Interrelationships, Across Three Seasons in Elite Youth Rugby League Players

Abstract: This study investigated changes in anthropometry and performance, and their interrelationships, across three consecutive seasons (under-15 to under-17

Cited by 25 publications

References 42 publications

Anthropometric and Physical Qualities of Elite Male Youth Rugby League Players

Anthropometric and Physical Qualities of Elite Male Youth Rugby League Players

Optimising Physique for Sports Performance

The efficacy of repetitions-in-reserve vs. traditional percentage-based resistance training: a 4-week pre-season randomized intervention in elite rugby league players

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