Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players

Durandt, Justin; Toit, S Du; Borresen, J; Hew-Butler, T; Masimla, Herman; Jokoet, I; Lambert, Michael

doi:10.17159/2413-3108/2006/v18i2a242

Cited by 27 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…As there are no norms for athletic populations, we interpreted weight, height and body mass index according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard guidelines for age [15] as well as Boksmart references. [2] Body fat composition was compared with the norms described by Durandt et al [16] Each player gave informed written consent to participate and complete the anonymous questionnaire. Parental consent was given as part of the indemnity to attend the SA Rugby Union camp.…”

Section: Subjects and Questionnairementioning

confidence: 99%

Initial investigation of nutrition and supplement use, knowledge and attitudes of under-16 rugby players in South Africa

Duvenage¹,

Meltzer

Chantler

2015

S. Afr. j. sports med

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Background. Internationally young athletes are reported to have a poor understanding of the principles of sports nutrition and supplement use; hence their diet may be unhealthy and inappropriate for participation in sport. There is limited research on current nutritional knowledge and attitudes of under-16 (U16) age-group level rugby players in South Africa (SA). Objectives. To assess dietary-and supplement-related knowledge and attitudes of 198 U16 national-level rugby players in SA. Methods. Over a period of four consecutive years a total of 198 players attending nutrition workshops at the annual selection camp received and completed an anonymous structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures (weight, height and skinfolds) were gathered by registered biokineticists. Results. Of players 87% (168/193) indicated that they wanted to increase lean muscle mass, with 42% (82/194) feeling pressurised to do so by their coach and/or parents. Almost half (85/196) believed their diets to be poor. Players had better knowledge about nutrition recovery strategies than pre-game meals. Seventy per cent (136/195) identified optimal timing and 56% (109/196) knew the ideal macronutrient composition of recovery meals. Over 60% of players believed supplements were safe (115/192) and necessary (132/193) for increasing muscle mass, and almost half (106/195) believed they could take creatine. Over a third (68/170) also believed that the protein quality of supplements was higher than that of food. Supplements were primarily recommended by coaches and non-dietetic medical practitioners. Eight of the players self-prescribed supplements and four were taking supplements on the advice of a store salesperson or representative. Conclusion. The elite U16 rugby players in this study lacked comprehensive sports nutritional knowledge, yet had an overly positive attitude toward supplementation and used supplements haphazardly to achieve body composition goals. Tailor-made nutrition interventions with a strong education component are recommended to improve players' nutritional knowledge, as well as access to registered dietitians working in sport to advise on supplements.

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Section: Subjects and Questionnairementioning

confidence: 99%

Initial investigation of nutrition and supplement use, knowledge and attitudes of under-16 rugby players in South Africa

Duvenage¹,

Meltzer

Chantler

2015

S. Afr. j. sports med

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“…The fitness-testing protocol was as follows: body mass was measured using a calibrated Seca balance beam (0.1 kg accuracy); skinfold thickness was then measured at 7 sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, medial calf, front thigh and abdominal) with Harpenden skinfold callipers; [15] explosive leg power was tested using the Vertec Jump Tester (Sports Imports, Columbus, USA) and standard protocol; [16] 10 m and 40 m sprinting speed was evaluated with an electronic sprint timer with photo-electric sensors; [19,20] upper-body strength was evaluated with a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press test (the final weight (in kg) successfully lifted was recorded as the absolute 1RM); [21] and finally, the progressive multi-stage shuttle-run test was conducted [22] (with the final shuttle achieved recorded as the aerobic fitness score).…”

Section: Testing Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the physical fitness of elite women’s rugby union players over a competition season

Hene¹,

Bassett²

2013

S. Afr. j. sports med.

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Objective. To investigate changes in the physical fitness characteristics of elite women's rugby union players over a competitive season. Methods. Thirty-two elite women's rugby union players, all members of the South African Rugby Union High Performance Squad, were sub-divided into 2 positional categories of 17 forwards and 15 backs, respectively, and assessed pre-, mid-and post-competition season. Players underwent anthropometric (stature, body mass and sum of 7 skinfolds) and physical performance measurements (vertical jump, 10 m and 40 m sprint, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and multi-stage shuttle-run test). Analysis. A 2-factor analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences in physical fitness variables between and within playing positions over the competition season (p<0.01). Results. In both groups, no significant changes were detected in the sum of skinfolds, vertical jump height, 1RM bench press and multi-stage shuttle-run test scores throughout the season. However, sprint times (10 m and 40 m) significantly increased and then decreased for both groups between the early (pre-to mid-season) and later phases of the season (mid-to post-season), respectively. Conclusion. The results suggest that, for improvement in physical fitness, players need to train at higher loads, especially in the preparatory phase. Thereafter, they must take measures to actively maintain these gains throughout the competitive season. Direct supervision of their conditioning should be encouraged.S Afr J SM 2013;25(2):47-50.

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Section: Testing Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the physical fitness of elite women’s rugby union players over a competition season

Hene¹,

Bassett²

2013

S Afr J SM

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH Objective. To investigate changes in the physical fitness characteristics of elite women's rugby union players over a competitive season. Methods. Thirty-two elite women's rugby union players, all members of the South African Rugby Union High Performance Squad, were subdivided into 2 positional categories of 17 forwards and 15 backs, respectively, and assessed pre-, mid-and post-competition season. Players underwent anthropometric (stature, body mass and sum of 7 skinfolds) and physical performance measurements (vertical jump, 10 m and 40 m sprint, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and multi-stage shuttle-run test). Analysis. A 2-factor analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences in physical fitness variables between and within playing positions over the competition season (p<0.01). Results. In both groups, no significant changes were detected in the sum of skinfolds, vertical jump height, 1RM bench press and multi-stage shuttle-run test scores throughout the season. However, sprint times (10 m and 40 m) significantly increased and then decreased for both groups between the early (pre-to mid-season) and later phases of the season (mid-to post-season), respectively. Conclusion. The results suggest that, for improvement in physical fitness, players need to train at higher loads, especially in the preparatory phase. Thereafter, they must take measures to actively maintain these gains throughout the competitive season. Direct supervision of their conditioning should be encouraged.

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Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players

Cited by 27 publications

References 10 publications

Initial investigation of nutrition and supplement use, knowledge and attitudes of under-16 rugby players in South Africa

Initial investigation of nutrition and supplement use, knowledge and attitudes of under-16 rugby players in South Africa

Changes in the physical fitness of elite women’s rugby union players over a competition season

Changes in the physical fitness of elite women’s rugby union players over a competition season

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