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International female rugby union players’ anthropometric and physical performance characteristics: A five-year longitudinal analysis by individual positional groups

Luke Nicholas Woodhouse, Jamie Tallent, Stephen David Patterson Orcid Logo, Mark Waldron Orcid Logo

Journal of Sports Sciences, Volume: 40, Issue: 4, Pages: 370 - 378

Swansea University Author: Mark Waldron Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Longitudinal changes in anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of International female rugby union players were evaluated across 5-seasons, according to field position. Sixty-eight international female rugby union players from a top 2 ranked international team, undertook anthropomet...

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Published in: Journal of Sports Sciences
ISSN: 0264-0414 1466-447X
Published: Informa UK Limited 2022
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58503
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Abstract: Longitudinal changes in anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of International female rugby union players were evaluated across 5-seasons, according to field position. Sixty-eight international female rugby union players from a top 2 ranked international team, undertook anthropometric and physical performance measurements across five seasons. Anthropometric and physical performance changes occurred, with skinfolds decreasing between 2015 and 2017 and body mass increasing between 2017 and 2019. Single-leg isometric squat (SL ISO), 0–10 m momentum (0–10 Mom) and 20–30 m momentum (20–30Mom) were higher in 2018 and 2019 than all years. Front-row players were characterised by greater SL ISO and 1-RM bench press than inside and outside backs, with higher skinfolds and lower endurance levels than all positions. Between 2017 and 2019, front-row players had larger decreases and increases in endurance and one repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press, respectively, compared to all other positions. Forwards had the highest 0–10Mom and 20–30Mom, and scrum-half the lowest, while outside backs had faster 0–10, 30–40, and 40 m (TT40 m) times, and greater peak velocity (Vmax) compared to forward positions. These longitudinal findings show that physical performance has increased, with anthropometric and performance characteristics becoming more distinctive between positions, among elite female rugby union players.
Keywords: women; physical fitness; team sport; strength; power; speed
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Issue: 4
Start Page: 370
End Page: 378