Changes in northern hemisphere male international rugby union players’ body mass and height between 1955 and 2015

Abstract

ObjectivesWe sought to establish the effects of professionalism, which officially began in 1995, on the body mass and height of northern hemisphere male international rugby union (RU) players. We hypothesised that mass would significantly increase following professionalism. We also investigated the changes in size of players according to their playing position, and we compared changes to rugby league (RL) players and the public.MethodsThe body mass and height of players representing their international team for that country’s first game of the Five Nations in 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1995 and, for 2005 and 2015, the Six Nations, were collected from matchday programmes. RL players’ data were collected from the Challenge Cup final games played in the same years.ResultsInternational RU player body mass has significantly increased since 1995. In 1955 mean (±SD) player body mass was 84.8 kg (±8.2); in 2015, it was 105.4 kg (±12.1), an increase of 24.3%. Between 1955 and 2015, the body mass of forwards increased steadily, whereas that of backs has mostly gone up since 1995. RU player body mass gain has exceeded that of RL, but the age-matched difference between RU players and the public has remained relatively constant.ConclusionsThe factors influencing the gain in body mass of rugby players are legion; however, we believe that the interpretation of the law relating to the scrum put-in and changes allowing substitutions have, at least in part, contributed to the observed changes. Injury severity is increasing, and this may be linked to greater forces (caused by greater body mass) occurring in contact. RU law makers should adjust the rules to encourage speed and skill at the expense of mass.

Trends in player body mass at men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups: a plateau in body mass and differences in emerging rugby nations

“…This confirms previous research showing large increases soon after professionalism 4 followed by a levelling off in body mass, 4 5 but extends those previous findings to the most recent RWC in 2019, and explores the time-course of the increases at each RWC rather than over decades. 4 …”

“… 4 The result was an overall increase in average player mass of 24.3% (84.8 kg in 1955 to 105.4 kg in 2015), comprised of a relatively small increase between 1955 and 1995 (approximately 5%), and a much larger increase of almost 20% from 1995 to 2015. 4 …”

“…It has previously been shown that average men’s player mass has increased significantly over the last two decades, most notably in backline players. 4 5 Hill et al documented international Northern Hemisphere players in the Five and Six Nations competition every decade from 1955 to 2015, and found that player mass remained relatively constant from 1955 to 1985, and then increased substantially beginning in 1995, coincident with the advent of professionalism in the sport. 4 The result was an overall increase in average player mass of 24.3% (84.8 kg in 1955 to 105.4 kg in 2015), comprised of a relatively small increase between 1955 and 1995 (approximately 5%), and a much larger increase of almost 20% from 1995 to 2015.…”

Challenges and [Possible] Solutions to Optimizing Talent Identification and Development in Sport

“…For example, research within soccer has demonstrated increases in the volume of high-intensity running distance alongside the frequency and successfulness of technical characteristics completed during the Premier League between 2006 and 2012 (Barnes et al, 2014;Bush et al, 2015). Within rugby, players' average body mass has increased from 84 to 105 kg between 1955 and 2015 (Hill et al, 2018) while rules and tactics have changed within boxing since 2013 (Davis et al, 2018). These examples demonstrate the numerous changes to the demands of sports, which may have occurred for multiple reasons (e.g., rule changes, advancements in coaching and sport science) but provide evidence that sports evolve over time.…”

Fatness and thermoregulation of qualified rugby players

“…2018 handball), especially in some positions' players. For example, Hill et al [5] determined that international level rugby players' body mass has significantly increased since 1995: in 1955 the mean rugby players' body mass was 84.8 ± 8.2 kg but in 2015, it was 105.4 ± 12.1 kg, an increase of 24.3%. Between 1955 and 2015, the body mass of forwards increased steadily, whereas that of backs has mostly gone up since 1995.…”