ANTHROPOMETRICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BRAZILIAN RUGBY ATHLETES SAMPLE

Abstract

We examined physiological and anthropometrical parameters of rugby players. Fifteen athletes, grouped according to game position: forwards (GF) and backs (GB), underwent anthropometric assessment and anaerobic power test with blood lactate analysis, heart rate and perceived exertion measures. The Student t test showed differences between groups for anthropometrical variables, particularly for body mass (GF=102.6 ± 16.0 kg; GB=80.0 ± 6.8 kg) and fat mass (GF=28.0 ± 10.6 kg; GB=13.8 ± 5.6 kg), but no differences for variables measured in the power test. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation test showed negative influence of fat mass in test time for GF (r=0.73) and positive of fat-free mass in power for GB (r=0.80), highlighting that body composition influences rugby performance and should be used with physiological parameters for position determinations.