scholarly journals Anthropometric Profiles and Physical Characteristics in Competitive Female English Premiership Rugby Union Players

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Xiang Yao ◽  
Christopher Curtis ◽  
Anthony Turner ◽  
Chris Bishop ◽  
Alex Austerberry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rugby Union ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Jump Height ◽  
Drop Jump ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
Competitive Success ◽  
Physical Attributes

Rugby union (RU) is a field-based team sport with a large number of high-intensity actions such as sprinting, change of direction, tackling, scrummaging, rucking, and mauling. Competitive success in female RU has previously been related to anthropometric and physical characteristics, and with the recent introduction of professionalism in female rugby, characterizing such physical attributes may provide insight into selection and training processes. Purpose: To identify anthropometric and physical characteristics of competitive female RU players and differences between playing positions. Methods: Twenty-two players were recruited from the top tier of female RU in the United Kingdom during the 2018–2019 Premiership season. Players were split into forwards and backs and underwent body composition testing via dual-X-ray absorptiometry and physical characteristic tests (10- and 20-m speed, 1-repetition-maximum bench press and squat, countermovement jump, drop jump, isometric midthigh pull, and 1200-m shuttle). Results: Moderate to large significant differences between playing positions in both anthropometric and physical characteristics were found (P < .01). Forwards displayed greater body mass (P = .03), fat mass (P = .01), and absolute upper-body strength (P = .03), whereas backs demonstrated superior countermovement jump height (P = .01), drop jump height (P = .01), greater reactive strength (P = .03), and speed (P = .03). Conclusion: These findings provide practitioners with a greater understanding of anthropometric and physical characteristics of professional female RU players.

scholarly journals Male Academy rugby union student-athletes in-season physical anthropometrical and physical performance changes, and comparisons with available data

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
N Rishiraj ◽  
B Niven
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Premier League ◽  
Competitive Season ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Upper Body Strength

   Background: Physical performance demands of the rugby union (RU) game have increased over the past two decades. However, there are little data on these variables concentrating on developing RU players (student-athletes) over a competitive season.  Objectives: To investigate the potential enhancement of two physical anthropometrical and nine physical performance variables of male New Zealand RU Academy student-athletes over a competitive season and compare with similar published data.  Methods: Twenty student-athletes were recruited to the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) two-year Academy Programme. Each week the student-athletes engaged in 25 hours of strength and conditioning training and participated in 15 hours of on-field rugby training with their respective ORFU Premier League team. Assessments sessions were scheduled for the start of the season, in-season, and pre-play-offs (week 31).  Results: Mean data from 20 student-athletes demonstrated a trivial effect size (ES) increase in body weight and skinfold measurements, while a paired t-test (p<0.05) resulted in concurrent significant improvements in lower-body power (ES = large), acceleration (ES = large), speed (10 m sprint, ES = small, 40 m sprint, ES = small), and upper body strength (bench press, ES = large and bench pull, ES = small). A non-significant physical performance improvement, with trivial ES difference, was also noted in anaerobic endurance performance.  Conclusion: Based on these data significant physical performance enhancements were observed during in-season Premier League competition while limiting fatigue and overtraining. 

scholarly journals Using Anthropometric Data and Physical Fitness Scores to Predict Selection in a National U19 Rugby Union Team

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1499
Author(s):  
Luis Vaz ◽  
Wilbur Kraak ◽  
Marco Batista ◽  
Samuel Honório ◽  
Hélder Miguel Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
National Team ◽  
Assessment Tests ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Run Test

The purpose of this study was to compare measures of anthropometry characteristics and physical fitness performance between rugby union players (17.9 ± 0.5 years old) recruited (n = 39) and non-recruited (n = 145) to the Portuguese under-19 (U19) national team, controlling for their playing position (forwards or backs). Standardized anthropometric, physical, and performance assessment tests included players’ body mass and height, push up and pull-up test, squat test, sit-and-reach test, 20 m shuttle run test, flexed arm hang test, Sargent test, handgrip strength test, Illinois agility test, and 20-m and 50-m sprint test. Results showed that recruited forwards players had better agility scores (p = 0.02, ES = −0.55) than the non-recruited forwards, whereas recruited backs players had higher right (p < 0.01, ES = 0.84) and left (p = 0.01, ES = 0.74) handgrip strength scores than their counterparts. Logistic regression showed that better agility (for the forwards) and right handgrip strength scores (for the backs) were the only variables significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being recruited to the national team. In sum, these findings suggest that certain well-developed physical qualities, namely, agility for the forwards players and upper-body strength for the back players, partially explain the selection of U19 rugby players to their national team.

scholarly journals Influences of Differing Menarche Status on Motor Capabilities of Girls, 13 To 16 Years: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5539
Author(s):  
Barry Gerber ◽  
Anita E. Pienaar ◽  
Ankebe Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Motor Fitness ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
The Status ◽  
Hand Eye Coordination ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
D Values

Puberty and the onset of menarche influences the motor performance of girls. However, the magnitude of these influences during varying maturity status, is not clear. This longitudinal study over two years aimed to investigate differences in motor fitness between early and late developing girls based on pre- and post-menarche status. A convenience sample (n = 58) of girls aged 13.51 ± 3.51, divided by means of the Status Quo method into pre (n = 13) and post-menarche (n = 45) groups, was used. Motor fitness was tested once annually by standardized protocols. Basic statistics, independent t-testing and a repeated measures ANOVA with a post hoc Bonferonni correction were used (p < 0.05 = statistical significance). Effect sizes were determined by Cohen’s d-values. Only explosive upper body strength differed significantly between groups during baseline, favoring post-menarche girls. Initially, post-menarche girls showed advantages in hand-eye coordination and speed (p > 0.05) with pre-menarche girls performing better in agility and explosive leg strength (p > 0.05). At 15.51 years, no significant, between-group differences were found. Pre-menarche girls surpassed post-menarche girls in hand-eye coordination and 0–40 m speed and post-menarche girls displayed higher explosive leg and upper body strength scores (p > 0.05). Our data show that the potential to excel in sport based on motor capabilities can only be accurately estimated 1–2 years after reaching menarche.

scholarly journals An Eye Tracking Examination of Men’s Attractiveness by Conceptive Risk Women

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 147470491769074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Garza ◽  
Roberto R. Heredia ◽  
Anna B. Cieślicka
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Hispanic Women ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Body Hair ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
Visual Attraction ◽  
Physical Shape

Previous research has indicated that women prefer men who exhibit an android physical appearance where fat distribution is deposited on the upper body (i.e., shoulders and arms) and abdomen. This ideal physical shape has been associated with perceived dominance, health, and immunocompetence. Although research has investigated attractability of men with these ideal characteristics, research on how women visually perceive these characteristics is limited. The current study investigated visual perception and attraction toward men in Hispanic women of Mexican American descent. Women exposed to a front-posed image, where the waist-to-chest ratio (WCR) and hair distribution were manipulated, rated men’s body image associated with upper body strength (low WCR 0.7) as more attractive. Additionally, conceptive risk did not play a strong role in attractiveness and visual attention. Hair distribution did not contribute to increased ratings of attraction but did contribute to visual attraction when measuring total time where men with both facial and body hair were viewed longer. These findings suggest that physical characteristics in men exhibiting upper body strength and dominance are strong predictors of visual attraction.

scholarly journals Comparison of upper body strength gains between men and women after 10 weeks of resistance training

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Gentil ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Maria C. Pereira ◽  
Rafael P.M. Castanheira ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Elbow Flexor ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Flexor Strength

Resistance training (RT) offers benefits to both men and women. However, the studies about the differences between men and women in response to an RT program are not conclusive and few data are available about upper body strength response. The aim of this study was to compare elbow flexor strength gains in men and women after 10 weeks of RT. Forty-four college-aged men (22.63 ± 2.34 years) and forty-seven college-aged women (21.62 ± 2.96 years) participated in the study. The RT program was performed two days a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the training period, peak torque (PT) of the elbow flexors was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. PT values were higher in men in comparison to women in pre- and post-tests (p< 0.01). Both males and females significantly increased elbow flexor strength (p< 0.05); however, strength changes did not differ between genders after 10 weeks of RT program (11.61 and 11.76% for men and women, respectively;p> 0.05). Effect sizes were 0.57 and 0.56 for men and women, respectively. In conclusion, the present study suggests that men and women have a similar upper body strength response to RT.

scholarly journals Reliability of Easy Applicable Non-laboratory Methods Used for Determination of the Upper Body Strength

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
Serhat ÖZBAY ◽  
Süleyman ULUPINAR ◽  
Vedat ÇINAR ◽  
Taner AKBULUT
Keyword(s):  
Upper Body ◽  
Laboratory Methods ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Upper Body Strength

A Comparison of Different Modes of Morning Priming Exercise on Afternoon Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 763-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Russell ◽  
Aden King ◽  
Richard. M. Bracken ◽  
Christian. J. Cook ◽  
Thibault Giroud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Jump Height ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Repeated Sprint ◽  
Mass Load ◽  
Hormone Responses ◽  
Sprint Cycling ◽  
Priming Exercise ◽  
Rugby Players

Purpose:To assess the effects of different modes of morning (AM) exercise on afternoon (PM) performance and salivary hormone responses in professional rugby union players.Methods:On 4 occasions (randomized, crossover design), 15 professional rugby players provided AM (~8 AM) and PM (~2 PM) saliva samples before PM assessments of countermovement-jump height, reaction time, and repeated-sprint ability. Control (passive rest), weights (bench press: 5 × 10 repetitions, 75% 1-repetition maximum, 90-s intraset recovery), cycling (6 × 6-s maximal sprint cycling, 7.5% body mass load, 54-s intraset recovery), and running (6 × 40-m maximal sprints, 20-s intraset recovery) interventions preceded (~5 h) PM testing.Results:PM sprint performance improved (P < .05) after weights (>0.15 ± 0.19 s, >2.04% ± 2.46%) and running (>0.15 ± 0.17 s, >2.12% ± 2.22%) but not cycling (P > .05). PM jump height increased after cycling (0.012 ± 0.009 m, 2.31% ± 1.76%, P < .001) and running (0.020 ± 0.009 m, 3.90% ± 1.79%, P < .001) but not weights (P = .936). Reaction time remained unchanged between trials (P = .379). Relative to control (131 ± 21 pg/mL), PM testosterone was greater in weights (21 ± 23 pg/mL, 17% ± 18%, P = .002) and running (28 ± 26 pg/mL, 22% ± 20%, P = .001) but not cycling (P = .072). Salivary cortisol was unaffected by AM exercise (P = .540).Conclusions:All modes of AM exercise improved at least 1 marker of PM performance, but running appeared the most beneficial to professional rugby union players. A rationale therefore exists for preceding PM competition with AM exercise.

scholarly journals Upper‐Body Strength and Political Egalitarianism: Twelve Conceptual Replications

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bang Petersen ◽  
Lasse Laustsen
Keyword(s):  
Upper Body ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Upper Body Strength
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document