Physical fitness of elite women's rugby union players over a ...

Rugby union players have a diverse range of physical attributes, and a distinct physique will
naturally orient a player towards a particular position over others (Quarrie, Handcock,
Toomey & Waller, 1996). Backs players for whom sprinting is important for attacking and
cover defending, have a lean physique unlike forwards who are heavier, taller, and have a
greater proportion of body fat as the physique is more suitable for dominating scrums, tackles,
rucks and mauls (Rienzi, Reilly & Malkin, 1999). In addition, forwards also demonstrate
greater absolute power and strength so as to defend as well as retain turn over possession.
When body mass is taken into account, there is a reversal of these results (Duthie et al., 2003).
In the professional era, playing rugby is virtually a year-round endeavor. The capacity of elite
players to acquire and maintain a good level of physiological fitness during pre-season and inseason,
respectively, has become paramount (Caldwell & Peters, 2009). Studies conducted on
male rugby players (Duthie et al., 2006a; Gabbett, 2005b; Tong & Mayes, 1995) show that the
greatest improvement in strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness and reduction in skinfold
thickness occur in the earlier stages of the season before returning to baseline values or being
maintained during the competition. Reduction in muscular power and maximal aerobic power
and increase skinfold thickness may also occur towards the end of the rugby season due to low
training loads and high match loads and injury rates (Gabbett, 2005a). However, with
women’s rugby being an amateur sport, fitness may either increase or decrease in some
players over a season due to level of competition and quality of training sessions or social
circumstances.
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