Season-Long Changes in the Body Composition Profiles of Competitive Female Rugby Union Players Assessed via Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Curtis, C. F.; Arjomandkhah, Nicola; Cooke, Carlton; Ranchordas, Mayur; Russell, Mark

doi:10.1080/02701367.2021.1886226

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Eight studies, as summarized in Table 3, reported the anthropometric and body composition characteristics of 212 national and international players (age: 26 6 2.4 years, stature: 1.67 6 3.1 m, body mass: 72.4 6 6.3 kg). 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.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, ensuring the standardization of body composition assessment protocols and data dissemination all need to be considered (43) in future research within women's R15s players. More recently, research investigating DXA-derived body composition indices within women's R15s players has been undertaken (16,39,60). However, there is a lack of longitudinal data to draw any conclusive reference values or congruent changes in DXA-derived body composition indices over time for women's R15s players.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements were collected throughout differing timepoints of a competitive season. For example, Curtis et al (16) undertook 2 data collection points across a competitive playing season, in comparison with both Yao et al (60) and Posthumus et al (39) who described body composition characteristics after a one-off DXA measure, which may have influenced body composition indices within the respective studies due to the realization of training and match-play adaptations over a longer timeframe compared with a "one-off" measure. Although not RU specific, best practice protocols and guidelines for standards of body composition assessment and dissemination of results are available, with guidance on frequency of assessment stating a period of ;2-6 months between assessments, and in the case of DXA, 2 times per year is appropriate (29,43).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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.…”

Section: Anthropometric and Body Composition Characteristics Of Women...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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.…”

Section: Anthropometric and Body Composition Characteristics Of Women...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Curtis

Mitchell

Russell

2023

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Curtis, C, Mitchell, S, and Russell, M. Match-play demands and anthropometric characteristics of national and international women’s, fifteen-a-side rugby union: a systematic scoping review. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): e569–e580, 2023—An increased professionalization within women's 15-a-side rugby union (R15s) has prompted greater sports science support and a need to better understand demands of the sport. Online database (PubMed, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus) searches were performed according to the PRISMA Scoping Review protocol. Studies were eligible if match-play demands or anthropometric characteristics of women's R15s players were investigated. After calibration exercises, the lead and senior authors independently quality assessed each study. A total of 1,068 studies were identified; 15 of which met the study criteria. The mean total match-play distance covered was 5,378 ± 626 m (forwards: 5,188 ± 667 m and backs: 5,604 ± 609 m), with first half values exceeding second half (2,922 ± 87 m vs. 2,876 ± 115 m). The mean relative distance (RD) (72.0 m·min−1) was greater than their male counterparts (64.2 m·min−1–68.2 m·min−1). Backs were exposed to more severe collisions compared with forwards (6 ± 1 vs. 5 ± 4). Work:rest ratios ranged between 1.0:0.7–1.0:0.9. Regarding anthropometric characteristics, the mean lean and fat mass was reported as 51.9 ± 5.2 kg and 18.6 ± 4.6 kg, respectively. The mean body fat percentage was 24.7 ± 5.4%. The mean bone mineral density and bone mineral content was 1.27 ± 0.04 g·cm−2 and 3.07 ± 0.2 kg, respectively. This scoping review summarizes the current evidence base and key findings relating to the match-play demands and anthropometric characteristics that can be used in practice to inform player welfare and sport science support to women's R15s players at a national and international standard. Numerous gaps in our understanding of how best to develop and optimize performance, physical demands, and anthropometric characteristics of women's R15s players remain.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Anthropometric and Body Composition Characteristics Of Women...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Anthropometric and Body Composition Characteristics Of Women...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Curtis

Mitchell

Russell

2023

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Body composition and physical performance in under-17 and under-19 rugby players: differences and associations among forwards and backs

Zabaloy

González

Alcaráz

et al. 2023

Mov Sport Sci/Sci Mot

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This study aimed to compare body composition and physical performance between U-17 and U-19 rugby players (forwards and backs), and examine the correlations among body composition, relative strength, jump, and sprint performance in both playing positions. Fifty-two male adolescent rugby players (mean ± SD: age, U-17: 16.2 ± 0.6 and U-19: 18.09 ± 0.9 years) participated in the study. Players performed anthropometric, body-composition (∑3 skinfolds [SF], body fat [BF] and lean mass [LM]), vertical jump, 30-m sprint, and squat one-repetition maximum (1RM-SQ) tests. Significant differences were observed for body mass (BM) and body composition variables among playing positions for both categories (P: 0.05 to < 0.001; ES > 0.72). U-17 forwards showed significantly different performance across all variables when compared to U-19 backs (P: 0.05 to < 0.001; ES > 1.08). Likewise, U-17 forwards showed lower relative strength (P: 0.05–0.095; ES > 1.66) and higher 30-m sprint times (P < 0.024; ES > 0.57) when compared to U-19 forwards and U-17 backs. Overall, for the backs, BM and LM were significantly associated with all performance variables (r: −0.72 to 0.50; P < 0.05). Conversely, for the forwards, BF and SF were significantly correlated with vertical jump height and sprint times (r: −0.62 to 0.52; P < 0.05). Clear differences exist between backs and forwards irrespective of the age category, whilst no differences were observed between U-17 and U-19 backs. The present results suggest that practitioners should monitor different body-composition variables due to the magnitude of associations observed with sprinting and jumping abilities.

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Body Composition Asymmetry in University Rugby Players: Influence of Sex, Position, and Injury

Cohen

Rosenstein

Rizk

et al. 2023

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation

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Context: Measures of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition may help identify players who are predisposed to lower limb injuries (LLI) or lower back pain (LBP). This study aimed to examine (1) side-to-side asymmetry in college rugby players according to sex and position and (2) whether side-to-side asymmetry is associated with LBP or LLI. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-six rugby players (61% female) underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment for total and regional (appendicular, truncal) outcomes of fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass. A subsample (n = 23) of players had a second dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment 2 months postbaseline. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of position (forward and backs) and sex on body composition asymmetry. Student paired t tests were used to assess side-to-side difference in body composition and compare baseline and follow-up measures. Logistic regression was used to assess possible associations between LLI, LBP, and the degree of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition. Results: Male players had greater asymmetry in arm bone mass compared with female players (P = .026), and trunk fat mass asymmetry was greater in forwards as compared with backs (P = .017). Forwards had significantly greater fat mass (P = .004) and percentage of fat (P = .048) on the right leg compared with the left. Backs had significantly greater bone mass in the right arm compared with the left (P = .015). From baseline to postseason, forwards had a significant increase in side-to-side asymmetry in arm lean mass (P = .006) and a significant decrease in side-to-side asymmetry in leg fat mass (P = .032). In backs, side-to-side asymmetry at baseline compared with postseason was significantly different (P = .011) for trunk fat mass. There were no significant associations between body composition asymmetry, LLI, or LBP by sex or position. Conclusion: Our results revealed the presence of side-to-side asymmetries in body composition in university rugby players between sex and position. The amount of asymmetry, however, was not associated with LBP and LLI.

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Season-Long Changes in the Body Composition Profiles of Competitive Female Rugby Union Players Assessed via Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Abstract: and Russell, Mark (2021) Season-long changes in the body composition profiles of competitive female Rugby Union players assessed via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport .

Cited by 4 publications

References 38 publications

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

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

Body composition and physical performance in under-17 and under-19 rugby players: differences and associations among forwards and backs

Body Composition Asymmetry in University Rugby Players: Influence of Sex, Position, and Injury

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