Summary
Rugby union enjoys worldwide popularity, but there is a lack of comprehensive research into the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of its players and the demands of the game, particularly at the elite level. One of the possible explanations for this is that the sport has previously been primarily concerned with the aspects of skill related to the game, rather than the physical and physiological requirements.
However, with the increased physiological demands being placed on the elite players (using the British Isles as an example), with the recent introduction of professionalism, regional championships, the World Cup and major tours, information about the demands of the game and the assessment of, and methods of improving, the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of its players, are of paramount importance.
Match analysis has indicated that rugby is an interval or intermittent sport and players must be able to perform a large number of intensive efforts of 5 to 15 seconds ‘duration with less than 40 seconds’ recovery between each bout of high intensity activity. These observations, together with the metabolic responses during the game, give some insight into its physiological demands and are a prerequisite in the development and prescription of training programmes by coaches in preparing individual players for competition.
The results from studies reporting the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of rugby union players observed that these individuals had unique anthropometric and physiological attributes which depended on positional role and the playing standard. These have important implications for team selection and highlight the necessity for individualised training programmes and fitness attainment targets.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Maud PJ, Schultz BB. The US national rugby team: a physiological and anthropometric assessment. Physician Sportsmed 1984; 12: 86–99
Douge B. Football: the common threads between the games. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, et al., editors. Science and football. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1988: 3–19
Morton A. Applying physiological principles to rugby training. Br J Sports Med 1978; 17: 4–9
McLean DA. Analysis of the physical demands of international rugby union. J Sports Sci 1992; 10: 285–96
Menchinelli C, Morandini C, De Angelis M. Afunctional model of rugby: determination of the characteristics of sports performance. J Sports Sci 1992; 10: 196–7
Docherty D, Wenger HA, Neary P. Time-motion analysis related to the physiological demands of rugby. J Hum Move Stud 1988; 14: 269–77
Rigg R, Reilly T. A fitness profile and anthropometric analysis of first and second class rugby union players. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, et al., editors. Science and football. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1988; 194–200
Nicholas CW, Baker JS. Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of first- and second-class rugby union players. J Sports Sci 1995; 13: 15
Quarrie K L, Handcock P, Toomey et al. The New Zealand rugby injury and performance project: IV. Anthropometric and physical performance comparisons between positional categories of senior A rugby players. Br J Sports Med 1996; 30: 53–6
Holmyard DJ, Hazeldine RJ. Seasonal variations in the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of international rugby union players. In: Reilly T, Clarys J, Stibbe A, editors. Science and football II. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1993: 21–6
Tong RJ, Mayes R. The effect of pre-season training on the physiological characteristics of international rugby union players. J Sports Sci 1995; 13: 507
Bell W, Cobner D, Cooper S-M, et al. Anaerobic performance and body composition of international rugby union players. In: Reilly T, Clarys J, Stibbe A, editors. Science and football II. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1993: 15–20
Bell W. Body composition and maximal aerobic power of rugby union forwards. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1980; 20: 447–51
Hazeldine R, McNab, T. Fit for rugby. London: Kingswood Press, 1991
Lynch RL. The physiology and the movement pattern of an inside centre centre during a rugby union game [unpublished report]. University of Western Australia, 1978
Reilly T, Thomas V. A motion analysis of work-rate in different positional roles in professional football match-play. J Hum Move Stud 1976; 2: 87–97
Withers RT, Mercier A, Wasilewski S, et al. Match analysis of Australian professional soccer players. J Hum Move Stud 1982; 8: 159–76
Hahn A, Taylor N, Hunt B, et al. Physiological relationships between training activities and match play in Australian Football rovers. Sports Coach 1979; 3(3)
Treadwell, PJ. Computer-aided match analysis of selected ball games (soccer and rugby union). In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, et al., editors. Science and football. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1988: 282–7
Reilly T. Science and football: an introduction. In Reilly T, Clarys J, Stibbe A, editors. Science and football II. London: E.& F.N. Spon, 1993: 3–11
Rugby Football Union. Fitness training for rugby. Twickenham: Walker Press, 1978
Maud PJ. Eagle fitness; below par. Rugby 1982; 8: 32
Van Rensburg JP, Kielblock AJ, Van der Linde A, et al. Physiological responses to a rugby match. S Afr J Res Sport Phys Edu Recreation 1984; 7: 47–57
Jardine MA, Wiggins TM, Myburgh KH, et al. Physiological characteristics of rugby players including muscle glycogen content and muscle fibre composition. S Afr Med J 1988; 73: 529–32
Keizer HA, Kuipers H, Van Kranenburg G, et al. Influence of liquid and solid meals on muscle glycogen resynthesis, plasma fuel hormone response, and maximal physical working capacity. Int J Sports Med 1986; 8: 99–104
Nicholas CW, Nuttall FE, Green PA, et al. Carbohydrate intake and recovery of intermittent running capacity. J Sports Sci 1994; 12: 147
Williams C, Reid RM, Coutts R. Observations on the aerobic power of University rugby players and professional soccer players. Br J Sports Med 1973; 7: 390–1
Bell W. Body composition of rugby union football players. Br J Sports Med 1979; 13: 19–23
Maud PJ. Physiological and anthropometric parameters that describe a rugby union team. Br J Sports Med 1983: 17: 16–23
Kuhn W. A comparative analysis of selected motor performance variables in American football, rugby union and soccer players. In: Reilly T, Clarys J, Stibbe A, editors. Science and football II. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1993: 62–9
Carlson BR, Carter, JEL, Patterson P, et al. Physique and motor performance characteristics of US national rugby players. J Sports Sci 1994; 12: 403–12
Mayes R, Nuttall FE. A comparison of the physiological characteristics of senior and under 21 elite rugby union players. J Sports Sci 1995; 13: 13–4
Raven PB, Gettman LR, Pollock ML, et al. A physiological evaluation of professional soccer players. Br J Sports Med 1976; 10: 209–16
Parr RB, Wilmore JH, Hoover R, et al. Professional basketball players: athletic profiles. Physician Sportsmed 1978; 6: 77–84
Rusko H, Havu M, Karvinen E. Aerobic performance capacity in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 1978; 38: 151–9
Bell W. Anthropometry of the young adult college rugby player in Wales. Br J Sports Med 1973a; 7: 298–9
Bell W. Distributions of skinfolds and differences in body proportions in young adult rugby players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1973b; 13: 69–73
Cureton ICJ, Sparling PB. Distance running performance and metabolic responses to running in men and women with excess weight experimentally equated. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1980; 12: 288–94
Cohen I, Mitchell D, Seider R, et al. The effect of water deficit on body temperature during rugby. S Afr Med J 1981; 4: 11–4
Maughan RJ, Noakes TD. Fluid replacement and exercise stress. Sports Med 1991; 12: 16–31
Casagrande G, Viviani F. Somatotype of Italian rugby players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1993; 33: 65–9
Parnell RW. Behaviour and physique. London: Edward Arnold, 1958
Carter JEL, Heath BH. Somatotyping, development and applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990
Reilly T, Hardiker R. Somatotype and injuries in adult student rugby. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1981; 21: 186–91
Williams SRP, Cooper S-M, Baker JD. Somatotypes of collegiate and second-class rugby union football players. J Sports Sci 1995; 13: 509–10
Bale P, Colley E, Mayhew J. Size and somatotype correlates of strength and physiological performance in adult male students. Aust J Sci Med Sport 1984; 16: 2–6
Balsom PD, Seger J Y, Ekblom B. A physiological evaluation of high intensity intermittent exercise. J Sports Sci 1992; 10: 161
Reilly T, Borrie A. Physiology applied to field hockey. Sports Med 1992; 14: 10–26
Reilly T, Ball D. The net physiological cost of dribbling a soccer ball. Res Q Exerc Sport 1984; 55: 267–71
Reilly T, Seaton A. Physiological strain unique to field hockey. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1990; 30: 142–6
Reilly T, Bowen T. Exertional costs of changes in directional modes of running. Percept Mot Skills 1984; 58: 149–50
Reid RM, Williams C. A concept of fitness and its measurement in relation to rugby football. Br J Sports Med 1974; 8: 96–9
Ueno Y, Watai E, Ishii K. Aerobic and anaerobic power of rugby football players. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, et al., editors. Science and football II. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1988: 201–5
Wilmore JH, Parr RB, Haskell WL, et al. Football pros’ strengths — and CV weakness — charted. Physician Sportsmed 1976; 4: 44–54
Coleman AE. In-season strength training in major league baseball players. Physician Sportsmed 1982; 10: 125–32
Withers RT, Sherman WM, Miller JM, et al. Specificity of the anaerobic threshold in endurance trained cyclists and runners. Eur J Appl Physiol 1981; 47: 93–104
Powers SK, Dodd S, Garner R. Precision of ventilatory and gas exchange alterations as a predictor of the anaerobic threshold. Eur J Appl Physiol 1984; 52: 173–7
Williams R. Skilful rugby. London: Souvenir Press Ltd, 1976
Evans EG. Basic fitness testing of rugby football players. Br J Sports Med 1973; 7: 384–7
Cheetham ME, Hazeldine RJ, Robinson A, et al. Power output of rugby forwards during maximal treadmill sprinting. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, et al., editors. Science and football. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1988: 206–10
Crielaard JM, Pirnay F. Anaerobic and aerobic power of top athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 1981; 47: 295–300
Cheetham ME, Williams C, Lakomy HKA. A laboratory running test: metabolic respones of sprint and endurance trained athletes. Br J Sports Med 1985; 19: 81–4
Tumilty D. Physiological characteristics of elite soccer players. Sports Med 1993; 16: 80–6
Herzberg P. Testbatterie zur Erfassung der motorischen Lernfähigkeit. Theorie und Praxis der Körperkultur 1978; 17: 1066–78
Tong RJ, Wood GL. A comparison of upper body strength in collegiate rugby union players. J Sports Sci 1995; 13: 507–8
Maud PJ, Dyer G. A comparison of physical fitness levels between the University of Orleans and Tulane University basketball teams. Louisiana Health Phys Educ Rec J 1978; 41: 16–7
Ekblom B. Applied physiology of soccer. Sports Med 1986; 3: 50–60
Bangsbo J, Norregaard L, Thorso F. Activity profile of competition soccer. Can J Sport Sci 1991; 16: 110–6
Mazzeo RS, Brooks GA, Budinger TF, et al. Pulse injection 13C tracer studies of lactate metabolism in humans during rest and two levels of exercise. Biomed Mass Spectrom 1982; 9: 310–4
Jacobs I, Tesch PE, Oded B-O, et al. Lactate in human skeletal muscle after 10 and 30 s of supramaximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 1983; 55: 365–7
Saltin B, Hendriksson J, Hygaard E, et al. Fibre types and metabolic potentials of skeletal muscles in sedentary man and endurance runners. Ann NY Acad Sci 1977; 301: 3–29
Bangsbo J, Mizuno M. Morphological and metabolic alterations in soccer players with detraining and retraining and their relation to performance. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, et al., editors. Science and football. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1988: 114–24
Kirby WJ, Reilly T. Anthropometric and fitness profiles of elite female rugby union players. In: Reilly T, Clarys J, Stibbe A, editors. Science and football II. London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1993: 27–30
Reilly T, Bretherton S. Multivariate analysis of fitness of female field hockey players. In: Day JAP, editor. Perspectives in kinanthropometry. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1986: 135–42
Colquhoun D, Chad KL. Physiological characteristics of Australian female soccer players after a competitive season. Aust J Sci Med Sport 1986; 18: 9–12
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nicholas, C.W. Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics of Rugby Union Football Players. Sports Med 23, 375–396 (1997). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199723060-00004
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199723060-00004