Longitudinal Development of Physical Characteristics and Function in Japanese Junior Rugby Union Players

Abstract

Purpose: To longitudinally investigate the development of physical characteristics and function during 3 years of high school among Japanese junior rugby players and examine the differences in these parameters between the positions. Methods: In 83 junior rugby players (forwards: n = 46, backs: n = 37) from one Japanese high school team who had participated in national high school competitions, anthropometric variables (height, body mass, fat and lean body mass, and body mass index), upper- and lower-body strength (eg, 1-repetition-maximum [1RM] bench press, isokinetic knee muscle strength at 60°/s and 180°/s), and sprint and jump performance were measured. Upper- and lower-body strength relative to body mass and lean body mass were also calculated. Results: All anthropometric indices improved with increasing age, and the values were higher in forwards than in backs (all P < .05). The 1-repetition maximum bench press (forwards: 40.8%, backs: 52.5%) and isokinetic knee strength (eg, extension at 60°/s, forwards: 15.4%, backs: 10.0%) improved with age (from 16 to 18 y), and they were higher in forwards than in backs (all P < .05). Meanwhile, the 1RM bench press relative to lean body mass did not differ between the positions. Isokinetic knee muscle strength at 60°/s and 180°/s relative to lean body mass and sprint and jump performance did not improve with age. Conclusion: These results indicate that Japanese junior rugby players need to develop larger physiques and continuously increase their lower-body strength to improve sprint and jump performance.