Assessment of body composition in junior representative and first grade rugby league players using dual x-ray absorptiometry
Journal article
David Greene, Benjamin Varley, Craig Duncan and Tim Gabbett. (2017). Assessment of body composition in junior representative and first grade rugby league players using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Science and Medicine in Football. 1(3), pp. 197-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2017.1331043
Authors | David Greene, Benjamin Varley, Craig Duncan and Tim Gabbett |
---|---|
Abstract | Objectives: Body composition is important to rugby league coaches because, in concert with other factors such as muscle and tendon properties and neurophysiology, composition values provide a general indication of strength and power and an ability to absorb high impacts. We compared whole-body and regional body composition values of junior representative (under 16 years, 18 years) and senior professional (1st grade) National Rugby league (NRL) players using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Methods: One hundred and forty-two junior representative and senior 1st grade rugby league players completed a whole-body DXA scan. Juniors comprised U/16 (mean age 15.9 ± 0.8 years, n = 25), and U/18 (17.9 ± 0.6 years, n = 21) state-level representative players while 1st grade players (25.3 ± 2.3 years, n = 96) were drawn from three NRL clubs. Results: Junior representative players were lighter in body mass and shorter in stature compared to 1st grade players. Despite greater lean tissue mass (LTM) in 1st grade players, there were no between-group differences in fat mass (FM) at whole-body or regional sites. Conclusions: When comparing body composition values between junior representative players to 1st grade players’ results show that senior players have greater LTM but do not differ in FM relative to junior players. Findings suggest that junior training programs should emphasise developmentally-appropriate resistance training with a continuation of current practices to maintain FM. |
Keywords | DXA; body composition; Rugby League |
Year | 2017 |
Journal | Science and Medicine in Football |
Journal citation | 1 (3), pp. 197-202 |
Publisher | Taylor and Francis Ltd |
ISSN | 2473-3938 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2017.1331043 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85066869445 |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 14 May 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8w0x8/assessment-of-body-composition-in-junior-representative-and-first-grade-rugby-league-players-using-dual-x-ray-absorptiometry
Restricted files
Publisher's version
120
total views0
total downloads2
views this month0
downloads this month