Using Anthropometric Data and Physical Fitness Scores to Predict Selection in a National U19 Rugby Union Team.

Luis Vaz,Marco Batista,Wilbur Kraak,Samuel Honório,Hélder Miguel Fernandes

doi:10.3390/ijerph18041499

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare measures of anthropometry characteristics and physical fitness performance between rugby union players (17.9 ± 0.5 years old) recruited (n = 39) and non-recruited (n = 145) to the Portuguese under-19 (U19) national team, controlling for their playing position (forwards or backs). Standardized anthropometric, physical, and performance assessment tests included players’ body mass and height, push up and pull-up test, squat test, sit-and-reach test, 20 m shuttle run test, flexed arm hang test, Sargent test, handgrip strength test, Illinois agility test, and 20-m and 50-m sprint test. Results showed that recruited forwards players had better agility scores (p = 0.02, ES = −0.55) than the non-recruited forwards, whereas recruited backs players had higher right (p < 0.01, ES = 0.84) and left (p = 0.01, ES = 0.74) handgrip strength scores than their counterparts. Logistic regression showed that better agility (for the forwards) and right handgrip strength scores (for the backs) were the only variables significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being recruited to the national team. In sum, these findings suggest that certain well-developed physical qualities, namely, agility for the forwards players and upper-body strength for the back players, partially explain the selection of U19 rugby players to their national team.

Highlights

The expanded professionalism in rugby union has elicited fast changes in the athletic profile of rugby elite players [1]
The descriptive results of the anthropometry characteristics and physical fitness measures are shown in Table 1 for the total sample and for playing positions
The results highlight an important association between handgrip strength and agility ability, and team recruitment in junior elite rugby union, and suggest that certain well-developed physical qualities, namely, agility for the forwards and upper-body strength for the backs, can help to predict the selection of U19 rugby players to their national team

Summary

Introduction

The expanded professionalism in rugby union has elicited fast changes in the athletic profile of rugby elite players [1]. The understanding of the rugby union movement patterns during competition, and the related physical demands, is critical to developing effective rugby training programs aiming to improve both athletes’. Previous investigations have shown differences in fitness and morphological aspects between teams [4,5], levels of competition [6,7], and players’ positions [8,9]. According to this reasoning, some studies [10] reported that elite rugby players (backs and forwards) have specific skills, motor and physical abilities, and anthropometrical

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Methods

Discussion

Conclusion