Changes in northern hemisphere male international rugby union players’ body mass and height between 1955 and 2015

ObjectivesWe sought to establish the effects of professionalism, which officially began in 1995, on the body mass and height of northern hemisphere male international rugby union (RU) players. We hypothesised that mass would significantly increase following professionalism. We also investigated the changes in size of players according to their playing position, and we compared changes to rugby league (RL) players and the public.MethodsThe body mass and height of players representing their international team for that country’s first game of the Five Nations in 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1995 and, for 2005 and 2015, the Six Nations, were collected from matchday programmes. RL players’ data were collected from the Challenge Cup final games played in the same years.ResultsInternational RU player body mass has significantly increased since 1995. In 1955 mean (±SD) player body mass was 84.8 kg (±8.2); in 2015, it was 105.4 kg (±12.1), an increase of 24.3%. Between 1955 and 2015, the body mass of forwards increased steadily, whereas that of backs has mostly gone up since 1995. RU player body mass gain has exceeded that of RL, but the age-matched difference between RU players and the public has remained relatively constant.ConclusionsThe factors influencing the gain in body mass of rugby players are legion; however, we believe that the interpretation of the law relating to the scrum put-in and changes allowing substitutions have, at least in part, contributed to the observed changes. Injury severity is increasing, and this may be linked to greater forces (caused by greater body mass) occurring in contact. RU law makers should adjust the rules to encourage speed and skill at the expense of mass.

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Dietary Intakes of Elite 14- to 19-Year-Old English Academy Rugby Players During a Pre-Season Training Period

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0317 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 506-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Deborah R. Smith ◽

Ben Jones ◽

Louise Sutton ◽

Roderick F.G.J. King ◽

Lauren C. Duckworth

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Body Mass ◽

Food Group ◽

Rugby League ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Good Nutrition ◽

Quality Diet ◽

The Uk ◽

Rugby Players

Good nutrition is essential for the physical development of adolescent athletes, however data on dietary intakes of adolescent rugby players are lacking. This study quantified and evaluated dietary intake in 87 elite male English academy rugby league (RL) and rugby union (RU) players by age (under 16 (U16) and under 19 (U19) years old) and code (RL and RU). Relationships of intakes with body mass and composition (sum of 8 skinfolds) were also investigated. Using 4-day diet and physical activity diaries, dietary intake was compared with adolescent sports nutrition recommendations and the UK national food guide. Dietary intake did not differ by code, whereas U19s consumed greater energy (3366 ± 658 vs. 2995 ± 774 kcal·day-1), protein (207 ± 49 vs. 150 ± 53 g·day-1) and fluid (4221 ± 1323 vs. 3137 ± 1015 ml·day-1) than U16s. U19s consumed a better quality diet than U16s (greater intakes of fruit and vegetables; 4.4 ± 1.9 vs. 2.8 ± 1.5 servings·day-1; nondairy proteins; 3.9 ± 1.1 vs. 2.9 ± 1.1 servings·day-1) and less fats and sugars (2.0 ± 1. vs. 3.6 ± 2.1 servings·day-1). Protein intake vs. body mass was moderate (r = .46, p < .001), and other relationships were weak. The findings of this study suggest adolescent rugby players consume adequate dietary intakes in relation to current guidelines for energy, macronutrient and fluid intake. Players should improve the quality of their diet by replacing intakes from the fats and sugars food group with healthier choices, while maintaining current energy, and macronutrient intakes.

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Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players

South African Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.17159/2413-3108/2006/v18i2a242 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 38 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J Durandt ◽

S Du Toit ◽

J Borresen ◽

T Hew-Butler ◽

H Masimla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

South African ◽

Body Fat ◽

Age Groups ◽

Rugby Union ◽

The Body ◽

Upper Body ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sprinting Speed ◽

Rugby Players

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the body composition, strength and speed characteristics of elite junior South African rugby players. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Field study. Subjects. Rugby players (16 and 18 years old, N = 174) selected for the South African Rugby Union National Green Squad. Outcome measures. Body composition, 10 m and 40 m speed, agility, 1RM bench press, underhand pull-ups, push-ups, multistage shuttle run. Results. The under-16 players were on average shorter (175.6 ± 5.7 v. 179.2 ± 6.7 cm), weighed less (76.5 ± 8.2 v. 84.8 ± 8.3 kg) had less upper body absolute strength (77.1 ± 11.8 kg v. 95.3 ± 16.7 kg) and muscular endurance (41 ± 12 v. 52 ± 15 push-ups) and aerobic fitness (87.1 ± 19.4 v. 93.5 ± 15.3 shuttles) than the under-18 players. There were no differences in body fat, sprinting speed (10 m and 40 m) or agility between the two age groups. There were differences between playing positions, with the props having the most body fat, strongest upper bodies, slowest sprinting speed, least agility and lowest aerobic capacity compared with players in the other positions. Conclusion. This study provides data for elite junior rugby players and can be used to monitor the progression of players after intervention while also assisting with talent identification for the different playing positions. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 18 (2) 2006: pp. 38-45

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Hydration status of Greco-Roman wrestlers in an authentic precompetition situation

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2012-0334 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 621-625 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Vahur Ööpik ◽

Saima Timpmann ◽

Andres Burk ◽

Innar Hannus

Keyword(s):

Specific Gravity ◽

Body Mass ◽

Urine Osmolality ◽

Mass Gain ◽

The Body ◽

Urine Specific Gravity ◽

Hydration Status ◽

Greco Roman ◽

Reduced Body ◽

Body Mass Gain

We assessed the urinary indexes of hydration status of Greco-Roman wrestlers in an authentic precompetition situation at the time of official weigh-in (OWI). A total of 51 of 89 wrestlers competing in the Estonian Championship in 2009 donated a urine sample. Questionnaire responses revealed that 27 wrestlers (body mass losers (BMLs)) reduced body mass before the competition, whereas 24 wrestlers (those who do not lose body mass (n-BMLs)) did not. In 42 wrestlers, values of urine specific gravity ≥1.020 and urine osmolality ≥700 mOsmol·kg−1 revealed a hypohydrated status. The prevalence of hypohydration in the BMLs (96%) was higher than in the n-BMLs (67%) (χ2 = 7.68; p < 0.05). The prevalence of serious hypohydration (urine specific gravity >1.030) was 5.3 times greater (χ2 = 8.32; p < 0.05) in the BMLs than in the n-BMLs. In the BMLs, the extent of body mass gain during the 16-h recovery (2.5 ± 1.2 kg) was associated (r = 0.764; p < 0.05) with self-reported precompetition body mass loss (4.3 ± 2.0 kg) and exceeded the body mass gain observed in the n-BMLs (0.7 ± 1.2 kg; p < 0.05). We conclude that hypohydration is prevalent among Greco-Roman wrestlers at the time of OWI. The prevalence of hypohydration and serious hypohydration is especially high among wrestlers who are accustomed to reducing body mass before competition. These results suggest that an effective rehydration strategy is needed for Olympic-style wrestlers, and that changes in wrestling rules should be considered to reduce the prevalence of harmful body mass management behaviours.

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Young Pacific Male Rugby Players’ Perceptions and Experiences of Mental Wellbeing

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7040083 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 83

Author(s):

Caleb Marsters ◽

Jemaima Tiatia-Seath

Keyword(s):

Family Support ◽

Social Relations ◽

Personal Development ◽

Rugby League ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Male Athletes ◽

Face To Face ◽

Health Related ◽

Rugby Players

Recent studies and increased media reporting across Australasia have linked young Pacific maleelite athletes to depression, suicide, and other adverse mental health-related events. Despite these accounts,little is known about the way this group experience emotions and mental wellbeing. The aim of this studywas to explore young Pacific male athletes’ perceptions and experiences of emotions and mental wellbeing.This qualitative study involved 20 face-to-face interviews with young Pacific males (16–24 years) engaged inelite rugby union and rugby league programmes in Auckland, New Zealand. The results identified thatathletes defined mental wellbeing in a holistic and relational manner and perceived and mental wellbeing asthe culmination of several interconnected factors, including: Family support, reciprocating family support,living a ‘well-balanced’ life, athletic performance, and personal development away from sports. Themaintenance of a well-balanced athletic identity and positive social relations were deemed central tosustaining mental wellbeing for these young men.

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Effect of High Intensity Interval and Continuous Swimming Training on Body Mass Adiposity Level and Serum Parameters in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2016/2194120 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Guilherme L. da Rocha ◽

Alex H. Crisp ◽

Maria R. M. de Oliveira ◽

Carlos A. da Silva ◽

Jadson O. Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Interval Training ◽

Mass Gain ◽

The Body ◽

Standard Diet ◽

High Fat ◽

Continuous Training ◽

Body Mass Gain ◽

Training Standard

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interval and continuous training on the body mass gain and adiposity levels of rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, standard diet and high-fat diet, and received their respective diets for a period of four weeks without exercise stimuli. After this period, the animals were randomly divided into six groups (n=8): control standard diet (CS), control high-fat diet (CH), continuous training standard diet (CTS), continuous training high-fat diet (CTH), interval training standard diet (ITS), and interval training high-fat diet (ITH). The interval and continuous training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. CH rats had greater body mass gain, sum of adipose tissues mass, and lower serum high density lipoprotein values than CS. The trained groups showed lower values of feed intake, caloric intake, body mass gain, and adiposity levels compared with the CH group. No significant differences were observed between the trained groups (CTS versus ITS and CTH versus ITH) on body mass gains and adiposity levels. In conclusion, both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed rats.

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Trends in player body mass at men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups: a plateau in body mass and differences in emerging rugby nations

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000885 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e000885

Author(s):

Ross Tucker ◽

Stuart Lancaster ◽

Phil Davies ◽

Gary Street ◽

Lindsay Starling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Body Mass ◽

The Body ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Tier 2 ◽

Men And Women ◽

Tier 1 ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

Rugby Players ◽

Over Time

ObjectivesThis study assessed the mass of international rugby players in the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups between 1991 and 2019. The objective was to quantify changes in mass of players by position, and to compare changes between men and women, and between established (Tier 1 (T1)) and emerging (Tier 2 (T2)) rugby nations.SettingRugby World Cups from 1991 to 2019 for men’s players and 2010 to 2017 for women’s players.Participants4447 elite male and 958 elite female players.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPlayer body mass, grouped as men and women, T1 and T2 nations, and by playing position, assessed over time.ResultsMen’s player mass increased significantly between 1991 and 2019 (T1 overall 9.7% increase), but this increase occurred almost entirely up to 2011. Women’s forwards mass increased by 4.8% in T1, with no changes in T2 or backs from either tier. Significant differences in mass were found between T1 and T2 forwards and backs for both men and women.ConclusionsThe body mass of men’s players has stabilised after initial increases following professionalisation. Player body mass may be approaching a plateau, beyond which no further performance advantages occur. Changes to laws and tactical approaches by coaches may have contributed to this, by changing match demands on players, necessitating endurance, agility and speed. Trends in the evolution of T2 players suggest a barrier to identifying and developing heavy athletic players, and may require intervention to ensure competitive parity.

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Does testosterone or coloration affect growth rates of adult males of the lizard Psammodromus algirus?

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z00-072 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 78 (8) ◽

pp. 1463-1467 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alfredo Salvador ◽

José P Veiga

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Mass Gain ◽

Reproductive Period ◽

The Body ◽

Adult Males ◽

Psammodromus Algirus ◽

Ornamental Traits ◽

Breeding Coloration

Elevation of circulating testosterone levels during the breeding season stimulates the development of breeding coloration and favors traits that maximize reproductive success, but it may have several costs. Retardation of growth by testosterone has been proposed as one of these costs to males of long-lived species. We examine the results of a field experiment on the short-term (within the breeding season) and long-term (1 year) effects of heightening levels of testosterone on the growth of males of the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus. Testosterone did not affect the mass gain of males during the reproductive period or between years. The between-years increase in snout-vent length in testosterone-supplemented males tended to be less than in control individuals. Within-season individual mass gain was mainly determined by body mass at emergence: the lower the body mass the higher the mass gain. Our results do not support the idea that the production of ornamental traits limits growth, as the negative correlation between degree of head coloration and mass gain disappeared when body mass was controlled for.

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Seasonal variation in body mass and composition of eastern coyotes

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z95-193 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 73 (9) ◽

pp. 1625-1633 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Marie-Lazarine Poulle ◽

Michel Crête ◽

Jean Huot

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Mass Gain ◽

The Body ◽

Low Fertility ◽

Late Winter ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Protein Mass ◽

Fat Deposits ◽

The Mean

Fat and protein reserves were estimated from body mass and the kidney and femur fat index for 135 coyotes (Canis latrans) of different ages and both sexes. These coyotes were collected in southeastern Quebec during five trapping periods between summer 1990 and autumn 1991. Coyotes were 27–28% heavier during autumn–winter than during summer: 16.0 versus 12.5 kg for males and 14.0 versus 11.0 kg for females. This mass gain consisted of 0.6–0.7 kg of protein and 1.5–2.0 kg of fat (water accounted for the balance). The mean fat percentage varied widely among individuals but did not differ according to sex or age. It varied according to trapping period and almost doubled from summer to autumn (10 versus 18%), did not change significantly from late October to late March, but then decreased from winter to summer. It appears that fat deposits accumulated by coyotes during autumn were not used progressively during the winter. However, they allowed the coyotes to survive during brief periods of food shortage. Furthermore, spring and summer seemed to be periods of relative food scarcity for coyotes, because they lost 16–17% of their protein mass from late winter to summer. Only 41% of the 39 females old enough to reproduce ovulated, but no relationship was apparent between this low fertility rate and the body composition of the females.

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The Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference as Predictors of Body Composition in Post CSCI Wheelchair Rugby Players (Preliminary Investigations)

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0105 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 191-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Zwierzchowska ◽

Marta Głowacz ◽

Agnieszka Batko-Szwaczka ◽

Joanna Dudziňska-Griszek ◽

Aleksandra Mostowik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Mass ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Obesity Risk ◽

Wheelchair Rugby ◽

Low Sensitivity ◽

Rugby Players

Abstract The enforced sedentary lifestyle and muscle paresis below the level of injury are associated with adipose tissue accumulation in the trunk. The value of anthropometric indicators of obesity in patients with spinal cord injuries has also been called into question. We hypothesized that the Body Mass Index recommended by the WHO to diagnose obesity in general population has too low sensitivity in case of wheelchair rugby players. The study group comprised 14 wheelchair rugby players, aged 32.6 ± 5.1 years, who had sustained CSCI (paralysis of lower limbs and upper extremities). The research tool was the Tanita Viscan visceral and trunk fat analyzer AB140 using the abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate the visceral fat level (Vfat) and trunk fat percentage (Tfat). The AB140 analyzer also allowed the measurement of body composition of those individuals who could not assume an upright position. Our analyses revealed high and very high correlation coefficients between Vfat and WC (r=0.9), WHtR (r=0.7) and Tfat (r=0.9) whereas the correlation between Vfat and the BMI was weak, especially in the subgroup with Vfat < 13.5% ( r=0.2). The subgroup with Vfat>13.5 exhibited a moderate-level relationship between the BMI and visceral fat increase. It was concluded that the BMI had a low sensitivity for predicting obesity risk in wheelchair rugby players after CSCI. The sensitivity of WC measurement was higher and thus, it may be stated that it constitutes an objective tool for predicting obesity risk in post-CSCI wheelchair rugby players.

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Prevention of Elevation in Plasma Triacylglycerol with High-Dose Bezafibrate Treatment Abolishes Insulin Resistance and Attenuates Glucose Intolerance Induced by Short-Term Treatment with Dexamethasone in Rats

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2018/3257812 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Maiara Destro Inácio ◽

Alex Rafacho ◽

Nathália Aparecida de Paula Camaforte ◽

Poliana Teixeira ◽

Priscilla Maria Ponce Vareda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Body Mass ◽

Glucose Intolerance ◽

Mass Gain ◽

The Body ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

High Dose ◽

Short Term Treatment ◽

Nonesterified Fatty Acids ◽

Plasma Triacylglycerol

Objective. Fibrates are used as lipid-lowering drugs and are well tolerated as cotreatments when glucose metabolism disturbances are also present. Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are diabetogenic drugs that cause dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance when in excess. Thus, we aimed to describe the potential of bezafibrate in preventing or attenuating the adverse effects of GCs on glucose and lipid homeostasis. Methods. Male Wistar rats were treated with high-dose bezafibrate (300 mg/kg, body mass (b.m.)) daily for 28 consecutive days. In the last five days, the rats were also treated with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, b.m.). Results. Dexamethasone treatment reduced the body mass gain and food intake, and bezafibrate treatment exerted no impact on these parameters. GC treatment caused an augmentation in fasting and fed glycemia, plasma triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acids, and insulinemia, and bezafibrate treatment completely prevented the elevation in plasma triacylglycerol and attenuated all other parameters. Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance induced by GC treatment were abolished and attenuated, respectively, by bezafibrate treatment. Conclusion. High-dose bezafibrate treatment prevents the increase in plasma triacylglycerol and the development of insulin resistance and attenuates glucose intolerance in rats caused by GC treatment, indicating the involvement of dyslipidemia in the GC-induced insulin resistance.

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