Abstract
This study explored the anthropometric and body composition characteristics of elite female rugby union players, comparing between and within different playing positions. Thirty elite female rugby union players (25.6 ± 4.3 y, 171.3 ± 7.7 cm, 83.5 ± 13.9 kg) from New Zealand participated in this study. Physical characteristics were assessed using anthropometric (height, body mass, skinfolds) and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) measures. Forwards were significantly taller (p < 0.01; d = 1.34), heavier (p < 0.01; d = 2.19), and possessed greater skinfolds (p < 0.01; d = 1.02) than backs. Forwards also possessed significantly greater total (p < 0.01; d = 1.83–2.25) and regional (p < 0.01; d = 1.50–2.50) body composition measures compared to backs. Healthy bone mineral density values were observed in both forwards and backs, with significantly greater values observed at the arm (p < 0.01; d = 0.92) and femoral neck (p = 0.04; d = 0.77) sites for forwards. Tight-five players were significantly heavier (p = 0.02; d = 1.41) and possessed significantly greater skinfolds (p < 0.01; d = 0.97) than loose-forwards. Tight-five also possessed significantly greater total body composition measures (p < 0.05; d = 0.97–1.77) and significantly greater trunk lean mass (p = 0.04; d = 1.14), trunk fat mass (p < 0.01; d = 1.84), and arm fat mass (p = 0.02; d = 1.35) compared to loose-forwards. Specific programming and monitoring for forwards and backs, particularly within forward positional groups, appear important due to such physical characteristic differences.
Highlights
Rugby union (RU) is a high contact field-based team sport which is played all over the world at junior, senior, sub-elite, and elite levels by both males and females
Mean Diff (± SE) = mean difference ± standard error of mean difference, 95% CI = 95% confidence interval, % Diff = percentage difference, ES = effect size, BMC = bone mineral content. * Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to backs
Total and regional bone mineral density (BMD) values are within normal ranges, with forwards demonstrating significantly greater arm and femoral neck BMD
Summary
Rugby union (RU) is a high contact field-based team sport which is played all over the world at junior, senior, sub-elite, and elite levels by both males and females. RU has become increasingly popular with more elite competitions and matches being contested by female RU players each year [1]. The same rules apply for both sexes, in which a game is contested over two 40 min halves by two teams consisting of 15 players aside comprised of eight forwards (numbers 1–8) and seven backs (numbers 9–15), with eight reserves on the bench (side-line). The game is intermittent in nature which is characterized by repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6457; doi:10.3390/ijerph17186457 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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