Anthropometric profile and physical fitness performance comparison by game position and connections with performance parameters in official matches of Chilean men rugby players

Abstract

Objective: the objective of this study is to describe and compare the anthropometric profile and physical condition of the players' positions and analyze their possible associations with sports performance in a season of official matches of amateur rugby players. According to the studies cited, the Backs is hypothesized to be different physically and anthropometrically than the Forwards. Material and Methods: This study has an experimental, observational, descriptive, comparative, and correlational design. The link between physical tests and anthropometric variables with sport performance parameters of a season in amateur Chilean rugby players was investigated and compared according to the playing position. In this study, thirty-five Chilean amateur male rugby players were evaluated (  average SD, age, 23.8  4.8 years). All subjects played in the same team. They were divided into 16 Backs and 19 Forwards. The statistical test of independent samples was applied to establish the differences between the playing positions. Correlations were calculated using the person for normal data and Spearman for non-parametric variables. Results: For weight, the Backs group has 17.7% lower body weight than the Forwards group. About the height, size of less than 1.3% is observed for the Backs. In physical parameters, the data show the differences in 1RM DS (p = 0.033) and VO2 max (p = 0.015) between the Bk and Fw. For the relationship, this study finds the relations of Weight (R2= 0.229) and ∑6 Folds (R2= 0.20) with HSR, showing statistical significance (p˂ 0.01). Conclusions: In conclusion, we can report differences in anthropometric and physical profiles between the Bk and the Fw in Chilean amateur Rugby. This study also noted that anthropometric measures of Weight and ∑6 Folds are moderately associated with the performance of accelerations in an official Rugby season.