Season-Long Changes in the Body Composition Profiles of Competitive Female Rugby Union Players Assessed via Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Seasonal Variation and Positional Differences in Anthropometry, Strength, and Power Characteristics in English Premiership Women's Rugby Union Players

ABSTRACT

Yao, X, Austerberry, A, Bishop, C, Wilson, L, Chiang, C-Y, and Turner, A. Seasonal variation and positional differences in anthropometry, strength, and power characteristics in English premiership women's rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 924-931, 2024-Women's rugby is a collision sport that relies heavily on body composition and physical characteristics of strength and power to achieve competitive success. Furthermore, the seasonal nature presents a variety of physical challenges that can cause fluctuations in a player's physical development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the differences in anthropometry, strength, and power characteristics between forwards and backs in women's rugby union athletes in England and to identify changes throughout a season. Forty-seven players were recruited from the English premiership women's rugby during the 2020-2021 season. Players were split into forwards and backs and underwent body composition testing by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and strength and power tests (countermovement jump, drop jump [DJ], and isometric midthigh pull) on 3 separate occasions (preseason, midseason, postseason). Overall, forwards had significantly ( p < 0.01) higher body mass, fat mass, lean mass [LM], bone mineral content, and take off momentum, and backs had significantly higher ( p < 0.01, d > 0.5) jump height, reactive strength, and shorter DJ contact time. When observing seasonal changes, there were statistically significant differences ( p < 0.01) or moderate-to-large practical differences ( d > 0.5) in LM, reactive strength index modified, time to take-off, and DJ flight time [FT] among forwards when comparing 3 testing time frames. For backs, statistically significant differences ( p < 0.01) or moderate-to-large practical differences ( d > 0.5) were reported in LM and DJ FT throughout the season. In conclusion, the strength and power testing and characteristics shown in this study could support coaches and junior women's rugby athletes to have a basic understanding of English premiership physical standards.

Match-Play Demands and Anthropometric Characteristics of National and International Women's Fifteen-a-side Rugby Union: A Systematic Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

Curtis, C, Mitchell, S, and Russell, M. Match-play demands and anthropometric characteristics of national and international women's, fifteen-a-side rugby union: a systematic scoping review. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): e569-e580, 2023-An increased professionalization within women's 15-a-side rugby union (R15s) has prompted greater sports science support and a need to better understand demands of the sport. Online database (PubMed, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus) searches were performed according to the PRISMA Scoping Review protocol. Studies were eligible if match-play demands or anthropometric characteristics of women's R15s players were investigated. After calibration exercises, the lead and senior authors independently quality assessed each study. A total of 1,068 studies were identified; 15 of which met the study criteria. The mean total match-play distance covered was 5,378 ± 626 m (forwards: 5,188 ± 667 m and backs: 5,604 ± 609 m), with first half values exceeding second half (2,922 ± 87 m vs. 2,876 ± 115 m). The mean relative distance (RD) (72.0 m·min -1 ) was greater than their male counterparts (64.2 m·min -1 -68.2 m·min -1 ). Backs were exposed to more severe collisions compared with forwards (6 ± 1 vs. 5 ± 4). Work:rest ratios ranged between 1.0:0.7-1.0:0.9. Regarding anthropometric characteristics, the mean lean and fat mass was reported as 51.9 ± 5.2 kg and 18.6 ± 4.6 kg, respectively. The mean body fat percentage was 24.7 ± 5.4%. The mean bone mineral density and bone mineral content was 1.27 ± 0.04 g·cm -2 and 3.07 ± 0.2 kg, respectively. This scoping review summarizes the current evidence base and key findings relating to the match-play demands and anthropometric characteristics that can be used in practice to inform player welfare and sport science support to women's R15s players at a national and international standard. Numerous gaps in our understanding of how best to develop and optimize performance, physical demands, and anthropometric characteristics of women's R15s players remain.

Body Composition Asymmetry in University Rugby Players: Influence of Sex, Position, and Injury

CONTEXT

Measures of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition may help identify players who are predisposed to lower limb injuries (LLI) or lower back pain (LBP). This study aimed to examine (1) side-to-side asymmetry in college rugby players according to sex and position and (2) whether side-to-side asymmetry is associated with LBP or LLI.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Thirty-six rugby players (61% female) underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment for total and regional (appendicular, truncal) outcomes of fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass. A subsample (n = 23) of players had a second dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment 2 months postbaseline. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of position (forward and backs) and sex on body composition asymmetry. Student paired t tests were used to assess side-to-side difference in body composition and compare baseline and follow-up measures. Logistic regression was used to assess possible associations between LLI, LBP, and the degree of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition.

RESULTS

Male players had greater asymmetry in arm bone mass compared with female players (P = .026), and trunk fat mass asymmetry was greater in forwards as compared with backs (P = .017). Forwards had significantly greater fat mass (P = .004) and percentage of fat (P = .048) on the right leg compared with the left. Backs had significantly greater bone mass in the right arm compared with the left (P = .015). From baseline to postseason, forwards had a significant increase in side-to-side asymmetry in arm lean mass (P = .006) and a significant decrease in side-to-side asymmetry in leg fat mass (P = .032). In backs, side-to-side asymmetry at baseline compared with postseason was significantly different (P = .011) for trunk fat mass. There were no significant associations between body composition asymmetry, LLI, or LBP by sex or position.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed the presence of side-to-side asymmetries in body composition in university rugby players between sex and position. The amount of asymmetry, however, was not associated with LBP and LLI.