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

Luis Vaz, Wilbur Kraak, Marco Batista, Samuel Honório and Hélder Miguel Fernandes
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Luis Vaz: Department of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Wilbur Kraak: Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Marco Batista: Department of Sports and Well-Being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, SHERU (Sport, Health and Exercise Research Unit), 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Samuel Honório: Department of Sports and Well-Being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, SHERU (Sport, Health and Exercise Research Unit), 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Hélder Miguel Fernandes: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-8

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: talent identification; rugby union; prediction of performance outcomes; selective factors. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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