Strong, Fast, Fit, Lean, and Safe: A Positional Comparison of Physical and Physiological Qualities Within the 2020 Australian Women's Rugby League Team

Abstract

Minahan, C, Newans, T, Quinn, K, Parsonage, J, Buxton, S, and Bellinger, P. Strong, Fast, Fit, Lean, and Safe: A positional comparison of physical and physiological qualities within the 2020 Australian Women's Rugby League team. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S11–S19, 2021—The purpose of the present study was to report the physical and physiological characteristics of elite women Rugby League (RL) players. Thirty-nine women (25.6 ± 4.3 years, 171.3 ± 7.7 cm, 83.5 ± 13.9 kg) from the 2020 Australian women's RL squad were recruited for this study. Players were categorized as adjustables (n = 7), backs (n = 15), or forwards (n = 17) for analysis. Each player was assessed for anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), speed (5, 10 and 20 m sprint times), lower-body power (countermovement jump), upper-body power (medicine ball throw and explosive push up force), estimated one repetition maximum (e1RM) bench press, squat and bench pull, isometric mid-thigh pull strength, eccentric knee flexor strength, isometric hip abduction and adduction, and intermittent endurance performance (30–15 intermittent fitness test; 30–15 IFT). Linear mixed models were performed to compare positional groups. Forwards were significantly heavier and had greater fat mass, fat-free mass, and body fat percentage compared with backs and adjustables (P < 0.01). Backs were faster over 20 m compared with forwards (P = 0.025), whereas forwards had a lower 30–15 IFT peak velocity and estimated V̇o 2peak compared with backs and adjustables. Nonetheless, when including body mass in the model, there were no differences between groups in 30–15 IFT peak velocity. There were no significant differences in other variables. These results provide contemporary benchmark physical, physiological, and anthropometric data for elite women RL players, which can inform recruitment, selection, training, and testing.

Longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players

“…Consistent with previous literature in women’s rugby league players, this study confirms that forwards tend to have greater body mass and body fat percentages compared to backs, with no significant differences in lean mass [ 7 – 9 ]. Interestingly, both backs and forwards exhibited an increase in lean mass from testing point 1 to testing point 2, aligning with the training programme’s emphasis on muscular hypertrophy during this phase.…”

“…It’s important to note that a scarcity of research in female sports, particularly those studying longitudinal changes, hinders a direct comparison to the values documented in this study. Minahan et al, [ 9 ] estimated the of the Australian RL squad using a prediction equation based on their 30:15 intermittent fitness test score. The average for English backs (+1.8 ml kg -1 min -1 ) and forwards (+2.1 ml kg -1 min -1 ) surpassed that of their Australian counterparts.…”

“…International women’s rugby league players have superior speed, power, and high-intensity intermittent running capabilities compared to domestic players [ 7 ]. While previous studies have reported the anthropometric and physical characteristics of international women’s rugby league players [ 7 – 9 ] longitudinal changes in anthropometric and physical qualities have not been reported.…”

Longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players

“…Here, isometric peak force improvements were largely maintained rather than improved during the in-season period, in line with prior findings [37]. Comparing these results with previous research, the mean isometric mid-thigh pull peak force for Australian women’s backs (+369 N) and forwards (+515 N) surpassed the values found for backs and forwards in this study [9]. Maximal strength is a pivotal determinant of successful rugby league performance, correlating with improved technical skill, greater match-play distances covered, enhanced sprint performance, and higher playing standards [37,39].…”

The balancing act: Identifying multivariate sports performance using Pareto frontiers

“…By assessing talent identification univariately, athletes are identified when they have specialist skills (e.g., strongest, fastest, fittest, leanest etc.) (Minahan et al, 2021 ). Although a given sport often requires a balance of these attributes, it is reasonable to suggest that talent identification processes should assess talent multivariately, that is, multiple variables in tandem, rather than univariately.…”