Applied Physiology of Rugby League

This study investigated the acute changes in body composition that occur over the course of a competitive season in elite rugby league players. Twenty elite senior players from an English Super League rugby league team underwent a total-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan at three phases of a competitive season: preseason (February), mid-season (June) and post-season (September). Body mass, fat mass, lean mass, percentage body fat and bone mineral content were reported at each phase. Between the start and mid-point of the season, body mass, lean mass, fat mass and body fat percentage showed no significant change (p>0.05), however bone mineral content was significantly increased (+0.71%; 30.70 ± 38.00g; p<0.05). Between the mid-season and post-season phase, body mass and bone mineral content showed no significant change (p>0.05), however significant changes were observed in lean mass (-1.54%; 1.19 ± 1.43kg), fat mass (+4.09%; 0.57 ± 1.10kg) and body fat percentage (+4.98%; 0.78 ± 1.09%; p<0.05). The significant changes in body composition seen over the latter stages of the competitive season may have implications for performance capabilities at this important stage of competition. An increase in fat mass and decrease in lean mass may have a negative effect on the power/body mass ratio, and therefore may be a cause for concern for playing, coaching and medical staff.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-Compartment Body Composition Changes in elite Rugby League Players During a Super League Season, Measured by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Harley

Hind

O’Hara

2011

“…Professional teams and game popularity is most established in Great Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand (7,28) with the European Super League and Australasian National Rugby League the two major professional leagues in the world. Rugby league consists of frequent bouts of high intensity activity (e.g., sprinting, tackling, ball carrying) separated by bouts of low intensity activity (e.g., walking, jogging; 9, 13), requiring players to have highly developed aerobic and anaerobic capacities in order to compete at an elite level, due to the large distances covered and the high intensity activities undertaken during a game.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of English Academy Rugby League Players

Till

Tester

Jones

et al. 2014

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the anthropometric and physical characteristics of English academy rugby league players by annual-age category (Under 16s -Under 20s) and between backs and forwards. Data was collected on 133 academy players over a 6 year period (resulting in a total of 257 assessments). Player assessments comprised of anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of 4 skinfolds) and physical (vertical jump, 10m and 20m sprint, estimated Independent t-tests identified significant (p<0.05) differences between backs and forwards for anthropometric (e.g., Under 16s body mass -Backs = 68.4 ± 8.6, Forwards = 80.9 ± 9.7kg) and physical (e.g., Under 19s 20m sprint -Backs = 3.04 ± 0.08, Forwards = 3.14 ± 0.12s; Under 18s relative squat -Backs = 1.65 ± 0.18, Forwards = 1.51 ± 0.17kg/kg) characteristics that were dependant on the age category and measure assessed. Findings highlight that anthropometric and physical characteristics develop across annual-age categories and between backs and forwards in academy rugby league players. These findings provide comparative data for such populations and support the need to monitor player development in junior rugby league players.

“…The game is most established in the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand (6,29), with the European Super League and Australasian National Rugby League the two major professional leagues. The game demands of rugby league are intermittent, with frequent bouts of highintensity activity (e.g., ball carrying, tackling) separated by low-intensity activity (e.g., jogging; 11,15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Changes in Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics Within English Academy Rugby League Players

Till¹,

Jones²,

Emmonds³

et al. 2014

Professional rugby league clubs implement training programmes for the development of anthropometric and physical characteristics among academy aged players. However, research that examines seasonal changes in these characteristics is limited. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the seasonal changes in anthropometric and physical characteristics of academy rugby league players by age category (i.e., Under 14,16,18,20). Data was collected on 75 players pre-and post-season over a 6 year period (resulting in a total of 195 assessments). were greater for the Under 18s compared to Under 20s. Seasonal changes in anthropometric and physical characteristics occur within academy rugby league players. However, academy rugby league players experience differing seasonal improvements, specific to age and measure. Interplayer variability in the development of anthropometric and physical characteristics limits the extrapolation of our findings to individuals. Overall, this study provides comparative data for seasonal changes within academy rugby league players and supports the need to monitor player development.