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Physical qualities in youth rugby
Owen, Cameron McCormack, Sam Weakley, Jonathon Jones, Ben Till, Kevin
Owen, Cameron
McCormack, Sam
Weakley, Jonathon
Jones, Ben
Till, Kevin
Abstract
The quantification and development of physical qualities of youth rugby players is vital to support athlete preparation and long-term development. This chapter summarises and presents the research quantifying the physical qualities and their development of male youth rugby union and rugby league players and compares between age grades and playing positions, whilst considering the effect on career attainment and coaches’ perspectives. A range of research presents the physical qualities of youth rugby players, including stature, body mass, body fat percentage, muscular strength, muscular power, linear speed, change of direction, and aerobic capacity. Differences are apparent by age grade and position. However, the research has several limitations, including the presentation of small sample sizes and lack of consistency in the measures used. Future research should consider the use of national standardised testing batteries due to the inconsistency in testing methods and small samples limiting the reporting of positional differences. Practitioners can use the results from this review to evaluate the physical qualities of youth rugby players to enhance training prescription and goal setting.
Keywords
Date
2022
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
Youth rugby
Volume
Issue
Page Range
115-137
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© 2022 selection and editorial matter, Kevin Till, Jonathon Weakley, Sarah Whitehead and Ben Jones; individual chapters, the contributors.