Abstract
ObjectiveAlthough schoolboy rugby is growing in popularity and played at different competitive levels in Zimbabwe, the influence of playing standard on qualities or skills of older male adolescent rugby players is unknown. Utilising a cross-sectional design, this study determined anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills defining elite under 19 (U19) schoolboy rugby players. Following development and subsequent assessment of test–retest reliability of School Clinical Rugby Measure (SCRuM) test battery, this study compared performance outcomes of elite rugby players (n = 41), sub-elite rugby players (n = 46) and non-rugby athletes (n = 26) to identify qualities or skills discriminating (i) elite from sub-elite and non-rugby players, and concomitantly (ii) sub-elite from non-rugby players.Results40 m speed test (p < 0.001, ES = 1.78) and 2 kg Medicine Ball Chest Throw test (p < 0.001, ES = 1.69) significantly discriminated elite U19 from sub-elite and non-rugby players. These tests further differentiated sub-elite from non-rugby athletes. Additionally, 1RM back squat (p = 0.009, ES = 0.57), 1RM bench press (p = 0.005, ES = 0.61), repeated high-intensity exercise test (p < 0.001, ES = 0.88) and passing ability test (p < 0.001, ES = 0.99) discriminated elite from sub-elite counterparts. These findings highlight important attributes linked to elite U19 schoolboy rugby in Zimbabwe. However, no significant differences were observed for sum of seven skinfold (p = 0.28), tackling (p = 0.08) and catching ability (p = 0.05).
Highlights
Research examining characteristics of schoolboy rugby union (RU) players has increased [1,2,3,4]
1RM one repetition maximum back squat (BS), 1RM one repetition maximum bench press (BP), repeated high intensity exercise (RHIE), and passing ability skill test differentiated elite from sub-elite rugby players. These results suggest the importance of 40 m sprinting ability, upperbody muscular power, upper-and-lower body muscular strength, repeated high-intensity performance ability and passing ability in elite under 19 (U19) adolescent rugby
This study showed that elite U19s had higher absolute and relative strength compared to sub-elite players
Summary
40 m speed test (p < 0.001, ES = 1.78) and 2 kg Medicine Ball Chest Throw test (p < 0.001, ES = 1.69) sig‐ nificantly discriminated elite U19 from sub-elite and non-rugby players. These findings highlight important attributes linked to elite U19 schoolboy rugby in Zimbabwe.
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