The Discriminant Validity of a Standardized Testing Battery and Its Ability to Differentiate Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics Between Youth, Academy, and Senior Professional Rugby League Players

Abstract

Purpose: To assess whether a standardized testing battery can differentiate anthropometric and physical qualities between youth, academy, and senior rugby league players and determine the discriminant validity of the battery. Methods: A total of 729 rugby league players from multiple clubs in England categorized as youth (n = 235), academy (n = 362), and senior (n = 132) players completed a standardized testing battery that included the assessment of anthropometric and physical characteristics during preseason. Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences and discriminant analysis. Results: Academy players were most likely taller and heavier than youth players (effect size [ES] = 0.64–1.21), with possibly to most likely superior countermovement jump, medicine-ball throw, and prone Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) performance (ES = 0.23–1.00). Senior players were likely to most likely taller and heavier (ES = 0.32–1.84), with possibly to most likely superior 10- and 20-m sprint times, countermovement jump, change of direction, medicine-ball throw, and prone Yo-Yo IR1 than youth and academy players (ES = −0.60 to 2.06). The magnitude of difference appeared to be influenced by playing position. For the most part, the battery possessed discriminant validity with an accuracy of 72.2%. Conclusion: The standardized testing battery differentiates anthropometric and physical qualities of youth, academy, and senior players as a group and, in most instances, within positional groups. Furthermore, the battery is able to discriminate between playing standards with good accuracy and might be included in future assessments and rugby league talent identification.

The Challenge of Applying and Undertaking Research in Female Sport

“…Following the considerations presented in Fig. 1, by establishing that the female athlete (e.g., rugby league player) is different to the male rugby league player (e.g., male vs. female rugby league players 20-m speed; 3.66 ± 0.26 vs. 3.09 ± 0.12 s [15, 16]), it is unlikely that the match demands research from male rugby league players can be applied to female cohorts. Furthermore, rugby league is professional in England and Australia for elite males and amateur and semiprofessional for elite females; thus when considering the female sporting environment and it’s context, this further corroborates the conclusion that match demands research form male cohorts have limited application to female cohorts.…”

Influence of Playing Standard on Upper- and Lower-Body Strength, Power, and Velocity Characteristics of Elite Rugby League Players

“…For example, the scholarship and academy players’ exposure to resistance training took place recently (<2 years), while the first grade players had been regularly exposed to resistance training for longer (>7 years). Importantly, a lower skinfold thickness score is associated with enhanced skill related performance (e.g., sprinting, change of direction [ 23 ]), but also supports the importance of a higher mass coupled with faster sprint speeds in senior player to optimise momentum into the collision [ 1 ].…”

“…Therefore, the higher power with playing standard can be explained by greater lean mass; maturation; training age; and, plausibly, morphological and neurological differences [ 6 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 27 ]. Collectively, these data suggest that the enhancement of power, alongside other physical qualities [ 1 ], is a pathway for progression in rugby league players.…”

“…Rugby league is a contact sport that requires players to possess a range of physical qualities for success [ 1 ]. Of these qualities, muscular strength and power might assist in the effective execution of several skills that determine performance or player selection.…”

“…While recent studies have examined differences in physical qualities of senior, academy, and youth rugby league players [ 1 ], measures of maximal strength, load–power, and load–velocity between rugby players of different training ages have not been provided before. In rugby union athletes, Hansen and colleagues [ 10 ] noted that elite athletes (~26 years) produced higher power during the 40 kg jump squat exercise than their junior counterparts (~19 years) from the same team.…”