Elaboration and Application of Functional Evaluation Techniques for Rugby Union_phd

The knowledge of the physical characteristics of women rugby union players, is scarce and, due to the evolution of this sport in the recent years, it is also dated. This study was aimed to provide up to date normative data on selected, laboratory-based, physiological and anthropometric characteristics of elite women players of the northern hemisphere. A selection (i.e. only the players regularly engaged in elite training and international competitions) of the Italian national team was tested in March 2007, at the end of the Six Nations. Anthropometry (body mass, stature, % body fat and lean body mass determination by 5-site skin old thickness), measurement of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max, incremental cycling test to exhaustion) and lower extremities strength by vertical jumping test (squat, SJ, and countermovement jump, CMJ, and elasticity index EI) were performed. Mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated in FW and BK and in positional subgroups (i.e. front row FW: props, locks; back row FW: flankers, number eight, hooker; inside BK: fly-half, centre; outside BK: wings, full back ). The half back was not included in the above subgroups due to its unique role). Data were compared by t test. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. The athletes were 24±4 years old and had a 9±6 years playing experience. FW were significantly taller, heavier, had a larger fat free mass, absolute VO2max and squat jump ability compared to BK. Front row FW were significantly taller, heavier, fatter and had a larger fat free mass compared to back row FW. No differences were detected in either anthropometric or functional parameters within BK positional subgroups. This study provides normative functional and anthropometric data for elite female rugby union players, with special reference to positional role. In agreement with male data, role differences in the majority of the measured parameters appear between FW and BK and between FW subgroups, while no difference was measured within BK subgroups. This suggests that differences in the physical requirements of rugby union, in specific playing positions, are present in women as well as I man rugby. This normative database can provide coaching staff with a description of an individual athlete’s strengths and weaknesses to assist talent selection and to guide training to match the demands of specific playing positions. Furthermore, periodic monitoring of a variety of playing populations is necessary to quantify and compare the rapidly evolving demands of this game.