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.
Highlights
IntroductionRugby is a competitive team sport played by two teams, each composed of 15 players:8 forwards (two props and second rows, three back rows and one hooker) and 7 backs (two centres and wingers, one scrum half, fly half and fullback)
Rugby is a competitive team sport played by two teams, each composed of 15 players:8 forwards and 7 backs
Regarding body mass index (BMI), we found statistically significant differences according to sex (p < 0.001) and position (p < 0.001), whereby males had a higher BMI than female rugby players (27.8 ± 0.6 vs. 24.2 ± 0.7 kg·m−2), an effect observed in forwards (p = 0.025) and backs (p = 0.002) alike, and forwards had a higher BMI than backs (28.9 ± 4.3 vs. 23.7 ± 3.2 kg·m−2, p < 0.001) in both male (p = 0.001) and female rugby players (p < 0.001)
Summary
Rugby is a competitive team sport played by two teams, each composed of 15 players:8 forwards (two props and second rows, three back rows and one hooker) and 7 backs (two centres and wingers, one scrum half, fly half and fullback). Rugby is a competitive team sport played by two teams, each composed of 15 players:. Each position makes different physiological, technical and anthropometric demands on the player [6,7,8]; the ratio of high to low intensity effort ranges from 1:6 (forwards) to 1:8 (backs) [5]. Backs spend more time in free running while forwards are frequently involved in a high number of physical collisions and tackles [9]. Speed and endurance are the most important physical attributes for backs, who must control possession of the ball once obtained by the forwards and accelerate away from opposition players to create scoring opportunities, as well as provide cover in defence [3]
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