Características Cineantropométricas en Jugadores Profesionales de Rugby Sevens

Abstract

Introduction: Rugby sevens or 7s is a team sport, descended from rugby 15s or rugby union. It is considered a sport of high intensity and intermittent effort, where positions are very well defined but there is small between-athletes variability of physical characteristics. Objective: The goal of the study was to analyze the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, somatotype and proportionality in players of the Spanish rugby sevens team. Material and methods: Anthropometric variables were evaluated in 16 players in order to obtain information regarding body composition, somatotype and proportionality following the standard techniques proposed by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Results: The data obtained regarding height and weight, muscle percentage (45.05 ± 5.02), bone (16.25 ± 1.72) and fat percentage (7.98 ± 1.32) are comparable to the obtained information of rugby union players who play in the three quarters position. Participants were predominantly classified as balanced mesomorphs, which are characterized by increased skeletal muscle development. Discussion: Body composition as well as somatotype values are similar to  other studies results according to elite athletes in intermittent sports that do not require high fat percentages. Conclusion: Despite being tall and with large body mass athletes, their high muscle percentage can provide this type of athlete greater power and speed, necessary to support the high demands of competition in this sport.