Secular changes in anthropometric and physical characteristics of South African National U/20 rugby union players (1998-2010).

• Main Author: Lombard, Wayne
• Other Authors: Lambert, Michael I
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Biokinetics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/2759

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references. === The aim of this study was to compare changes in the physical and morphological characteristics of South Africa’s National U/20 rugby union players (Forwards and Backs) over a 12 year period from 1998 - 2010. This period spans an era starting just after the onset of professionalism of the game to the modern era where the influence of professionalism has filtered down to junior (U/20) levels. Any changes in morphology and physical ability of the players can be attributed to the changes in the demands of the game and reflect the characteristics that are required for a player to be successful at that level. Players who were U/20 at the time of representing the Junior South African National Team National over a period spanning from 1998 – 2010 were used for the study. A total of 453 players, split into two groups, Forwards (n = 256) and Backs (n = 197), underwent measurements of body mass, stature, body fat percentage, muscular endurance (pull ups), muscular strength (1RM bench press, sprint times (10m and 40m) and aerobic capacity (Multistage shuttle run test). All Tests were conducted once a year in either January or December of that year. Data are represented as means ± 95 % confidence intervals. A Levene’s test of homogeneity was used to determine whether the variance for each variable was equal. A two-way analysis of variance was used to determine whether there were significant differences for either main effect of ‘year’ or ‘position’ or for the interaction between ‘year x position’. If the main effect of ‘year’ or interaction (“year x position”) was significant, a Tukey post hoc test was used to identify specific differences. Statistical significance was accepted when p < 0.05.