Differences in body composition and performance characteristics of male rugby players that went on to become professionals, compared to players that remained amateur

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate which body composition and physical performance variables characterised players that advanced to professional teams (professionals) and how these variables changed over time compared to those that did not secure professional contracts (i.e. remained amateurs). Methods: Between-player differences in body composition, strength, speed, power and aerobic endurance in 83 male university rugby sport scholarship recipients from 2015-2019 were analysed using Proc Mixed in SAS. Results: When arriving for the first year of the program, forwards that went on to become professional rugby players later in their careers were older (0.4 ± 0.3 yr, mean ± 95% CI), heavier (4.6 ± 2.5 kg) and stronger (range 6.2-16.4%) than forwards that did not gain professional contracts. Professional forwards were also slower at sprinting (range -2.7-2.9%) and had lower Yo-Yo IRT L1 scores (-10.8%) compared to amateur forwards when they first arrived. Backs that went on to become professional players later in their careers were taller (3.5 ± 1.8 cm), heavier (4.6 ± 2.4 kg) and faster over a 20m (-1.9 ± 1.7%) and 30m (-1.7 ± 1.6%) sprint, compared to amateur backs when first arrived on the program. Compared to amateurs, professional players had a smaller increase in body mass (-4.2 ± 2.0%) and greater improvement in sprinting (3.7, 2.8, 2.8% over 10, 20 and 30m) and Yo-Yo IRT L1 performance (14.7 ± 11.0%) over the 3 years training at university. Discussion: Characteristics that are likely to assist rugby players in becoming professionals include being older, heavier, taller and stronger. Compared to amateurs, players that went on to become professionals tended to improve sprint and endurance running performance over their 3 years of training while maintaining skinfold levels. Take home message: Physical prowess is important for potential professional rugby players.