Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of English Academy Rugby League Players

Kevin Till, Emma Tester, Ben Jones, Stacey Emmonds, Jack Fahey, Carlton Cooke
2014 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research  
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the anthropometric and physical characteristics of English academy rugby league players by annual-age category (Under 16s -Under 20s) and between backs and forwards. Data was collected on 133 academy players over a 6 year period (resulting in a total of 257 assessments). Player assessments comprised of anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of 4 skinfolds) and physical (vertical jump, 10m and 20m sprint, estimated 2max O V  via the yo-yo
more » ... tent recovery test level 1, absolute 1-RM and relative squat, bench press and prone row) measures. Univariate analysis of variance demonstrated significant (p<0.05) increases in height, body mass, vertical jump, absolute and relative strength measures across the five annual-age categories (e.g., Body Mass -Under 16s = 75.2 ± 11.1, Under 20s = 88.9 ± 8.5kg; Vertical Jump -Under 16s = 45.7 ± 5.2, Under 20s = 52.8 ± 5.4cm; 1-RM Bench Press -Under 16s = 73.9 ± 13.2, Under 20s = 114.3 ± 15.3kg). Independent t-tests identified significant (p<0.05) differences between backs and forwards for anthropometric (e.g., Under 16s body mass -Backs = 68.4 ± 8.6, Forwards = 80.9 ± 9.7kg) and physical (e.g., Under 19s 20m sprint -Backs = 3.04 ± 0.08, Forwards = 3.14 ± 0.12s; Under 18s relative squat -Backs = 1.65 ± 0.18, Forwards = 1.51 ± 0.17kg/kg) characteristics that were dependant on the age category and measure assessed. Findings highlight that anthropometric and physical characteristics develop across annual-age categories and between backs and forwards in academy rugby league players. These findings provide comparative data for such populations and support the need to monitor player development in junior rugby league players.
doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182a73c0e pmid:23942164 fatcat:mmwgcypdfzcyfka4rker5tafre