Fisiologia

VERSION INGLES

Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte

Print version ISSN 1517-8692

Rev Bras Med Esporte vol.19 no.1 São Paulo Jan./Feb. 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-86922013000100010

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

EXERCISE AND SPORTS MEDICINE CLINIC

Anthropometric and physiological profile of Portuguese rugby players - Part I: Comparison between athletes of different position groups

António Miguel da Cruz-FerreiraI; Carlos Alberto Fontes RibeiroII

IM. D. at the Customized Health Care Unit of Mealhada - Mealhada, Portugal

IIM.D. and Professor of the Medicine School of the University of Coimbra - Coimbra, Portugal

Mailing address

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ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In rugby, each position has very specific and unique requirements, both anthropometric and physiological. Several studies have documented the significant differences in the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of athletes in the different playing positions. However, despite being common in countries where rugby is more popular, no studies seeking to investigate the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of the Portuguese rugby players have been published yet.

OBJECTIVES: To anthropometrically and physiologically characterize Portuguese rugby players, attempting to identify any differences between athletes of different positions and to compare the recorded results with similar studies.

METHODS: 46 rugby players from two teams competing in the senior male national championships were assessed. Athletes were grouped according to their positions on the field, as forwards (n = 24) and backs (n = 22). All athletes underwent anthropometric assessment with determination of height, body mass and nine skin folds. Out of these, forty also underwent physical abilities assessment which consisted in determination of speed, acceleration and maximal aerobic capacity. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics v.19 and significance level of 5% was considered.

RESULTS: Forwards presented average body weight of 96.02 kg (+/-13.44) and 1.80 m (+/-0.06) of height, compared to 76.84 kg (+/-7.28) and 1.73 m (+/-0.06) height of backs. As for the physiological assessment, backs recorded better results. In the 10m test they only took 1.97 s (+/-0.20), while forwards spent 2.10s (+/-0.27). In the speed test, backs also spent 0.36 s less than forwards. Maximal aerobic capacities, weight dependent, recorded by backs (52.33+/-5.41 mlO2/min/kg) were also better than those determined for forwards (46.60+/-5.64mlO2/min/kg).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In the present study forwards were significantly taller, heavier and had higher percentage of body fat than backs. They were also slower and had lower maximal aerobic capacity concerning their body mass. However, they had higher maximal aerobic capacity in absolute value and produced greater momentum. Differences between forwards and backs were consistent with the literature and related to the different roles in the game. Despite its intrinsic limitations, we believe this study is relevant and will promote further investigations about this issue. Similar but larger studies should be conducted in the future so that we can more accurately assess and characterize the Portuguese rugby players.

Keywords: football, anthropometry, physiology.

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INTRODUCTION

The majority of the team sports wishes the homogeneity of the athletes involved in the practice of the modality; however, in rugby, a much wider number of individuals, with physical constitutions and characteristics, may play in the same team1, since each position presents very specific and distinct requirements2.

There are in rugby two position groups with distinct and very specific functions. Generally speaking, the forwards are considered the "ball's conquerors", being involved in the ball dispute situations, both static and dynamic, having the need to develop and apply physical strength in the "melées", "rucks" and "mauls". On their turn, the backs are considered the "ball's users", being more involved in running and getting rid of marking situations3.

Many papers which aim to characterize the rugby athletes concerning their anthropometric and physiological profile are available in the literature and its majority points to the existence of significant differences between forwards and backs3-5.

The specialization of each position led to the identification of specific characteristics for them and crucial ones for better sports performance5, and this differentiation has intensified from the introduction of its professional status in 19953.

When compared with the backs, the forwards are taller and heavier athletes, with greater percentage off t mass, being also more endomesomorphic than the backs2,3,6-8.

Concerning performance in physical fitness tests, the forwards usually present maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) (due to their body weight), time of running at ten and 30 meters and in agility tests worse than the backs3,4. When the VO2max is given in absolute value, this relation becomes reverse. The differences found may reflect the specific requirements of the optimum performance of the respective positions2,3.

Unfortunately, despite the massive research, it was not possible to find any investigation which tried to characterize the anthropometric and/or physiological viewpoint of Portuguese rugby athletes. Thus, the designing of this study seemed relevant.

AIMS

To characterize from the anthropometric (weight, height, skinfolds and fat mass percentage),as well as physiological (acceleration, velocity, maximum aerobic capacity and linear moment) viewpoint the Portuguese rugby athletes.

To compare the results obtained by the athletes in the distinct position groups (forwards and backs), trying to identify occasional differences between these athletes, both from the anthropometric and physiological point of view.

To compare the results obtained with the remaining papers already published.

METHODS

In this study, 46 senior male athletes of two teams which participate in the Portuguese rugby championships of the XV Honor League and the 2nd National League were assessed. The assessed athletes were grouped concerning their position on the field in forwards (n = 24) and backs (n = 22). All athletes were assessed from the anthropometric point of view; however, six athletes from the first group did not perform the physical tests for being injured.

All evaluations were

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