2018 Volume 15 Pages 1-9
This study aimed to demonstrate the difference between the anthropometric and physical characteristics of forward (FW) and back (BK) collegiate rugby players, with respect to which the relationships between agility and physical characteristics were examined. The study recruited 28 collegiate rugby players, including FW (N=16) and BK (N=12), with average height of 1.76±0.07 m and body weight of 89.03±14.16 kg. All of the participants conducted the following, with their results recorded for analysis: squat 1 repetition maximum (RM), counter movement jump (CMJ) height, 20 m sprint time including split times at 5 m and 10 m, and reactive agility test (RAT) time. Pearson’s product-moment correlation and unpaired t-test were used at p = 0.05. FW players were significantly heavier than their BK counterparts (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, BK athletes achieved significantly higher measurements in CMJ height (p < 0.01), 10 m (p < 0.05) and 20 m (p < 0.01) sprint times, and RAT time (p < 0.05) compared with their FW peers. Although RAT time significantly correlated with the 10 m (r = 0.659) and 20 m (r = 0.696) sprint times and CMJ height (r = -0.619) in FW players, it did not correlate with any physical characteristics in BK players. Therefore, improvement in physical characteristics can contribute to enhanced agility in FW players. Meanwhile, BK players must improve in not only their physical characteristics but also other factors, such as perceptual and decision-making capabilities. These results inform coaches the necessity to assign the appropriate agility training depending on player positions.
