Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior elite and sub-elite rugby league players, with special reference to starters and non-starters

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the anthropometric and physical characteristics of English academy rugby league players by annual-age category (Under 16s -Under 20s) and between backs and forwards. Data was collected on 133 academy players over a 6 year period (resulting in a total of 257 assessments). Player assessments comprised of anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of 4 skinfolds) and physical (vertical jump, 10m and 20m sprint, estimated Independent t-tests identified significant (p<0.05) differences between backs and forwards for anthropometric (e.g., Under 16s body mass -Backs = 68.4 ± 8.6, Forwards = 80.9 ± 9.7kg) and physical (e.g., Under 19s 20m sprint -Backs = 3.04 ± 0.08, Forwards = 3.14 ± 0.12s; Under 18s relative squat -Backs = 1.65 ± 0.18, Forwards = 1.51 ± 0.17kg/kg) characteristics that were dependant on the age category and measure assessed. Findings highlight that anthropometric and physical characteristics develop across annual-age categories and between backs and forwards in academy rugby league players. These findings provide comparative data for such populations and support the need to monitor player development in junior rugby league players.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of English Academy Rugby League Players

Till

Tester

Jones

et al. 2014

“…Studies in male rugby league players have shown that forwards are involved in more collisions, while backs are involved in more high-speed (>5 m.sec -1 ) running (39, 40). Previous studies in males (10)(11)(12)(13)21) have identified forwards are taller, heavier, stronger and more powerful, with higher body fat than backs. Backs are reportedly faster, more agile, with a greater aerobic capacity than forwards (21).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Qualities of International Female Rugby League Players by Playing Position

Jones

Emmonds

Hind

et al. 2016

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the anthropometric, body composition and fitness characteristics of female rugby league players by playing position. Data were collected on 27 players who were part of the English elite women's rugby league squad. Player assessments comprised anthropometric (stature and body mass), body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and fitness (lower-body power [countermovement jump (CMJ), 20 kg jump squat (JS) and 30 cm drop jump], 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 m sprint, 505 agility, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1) measures. Players were classified into playing position (i.e., forwards and backs) prior to analysis. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) demonstrated significant (p<0.05) differences for body mass, stature, total fat, lean mass and percentage body fat between forwards and backs. Positional differences were also observed for speed, agility and lower-body power. Significant relationships were observed between total body fat and all fitness variables, and total lean mass was related to CMJ and JS peak power. This study provides comparative data for female rugby league forwards and backs. Body fat was strongly associated with performance and should therefore be considered in developing fitness characteristics. The relationship to match performance and trainability of these characteristics warrants further investigation.

“…A plethora of cross-sectional research is available within the United Kingdom (UK; 19,28,33) and Australia (7,9,10) that presents the physical qualities of adolescent rugby players. This research demonstrates that the physical characteristics generally increase with chronological age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Training Age on the Annual Development of Physical Qualities Within Academy Rugby League Players

Till

Darrall-Jones

Weakley

et al. 2017

Previous research in academy rugby league players has evaluated the development of physical qualities according to chronological age. However, no study has considered the training age, defined as the number of formalized years of strength and conditioning training, of these players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to present and compare the annual changes in physical qualities of academy rugby league players according to training age.Sixty-one academy players undertook a fitness testing assessment including anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of four skinfolds) and physical (10 and 20m sprint, 10m momentum, vertical jump, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 [Yo-Yo IRTL1], one-repetition maximum [1-RM] squat, bench press and prone row) measures at the start of pre-season on two consecutive annual occasions. Players were categorized into one of three training age groups (i.e., 0, 1 or 2 years) and were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. Almost certain, very likely or likely annual improvements were identified for body mass, 10m momentum, Yo-Yo IRTL1, vertical jump and all strength measures for the three training age groups. When training age groups were compared, 1 years showed possibly or likely lower strength increases than 0 years training age. However, the 2 years training age group demonstrated possibly or likely increased strength changes compared to 1 years. These findings suggest that training age is an important consideration for strength and conditioning practitioners but it is likely to be a combination of chronological age, biological maturity and training experience alongside dynamic inter-player variability that influences the physical development of academy rugby league players.