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

held at 90 degrees to the surface of the skinfold site at all times. All measurements were
recorded on the player's right side, irrespective of their dominant side. All measurements,
according to specification, were taken three times, unless the first two measurements were the
same. The median value was used if three measurements were taken. A complete data set was
obtained before repeating the measurements for the second and the third time.
Thereafter, body fat was estimated as the sum of seven skinfolds (mm) and as a percentage of
body mass according to Durnin and Womersley (1974). Body fat determination from skinfolds
has a reliability ranging between 0.70 and 0.90 (American College of Sports Medicine, 2000).
The exact positioning of each skinfold site was according to the procedures described by Ross
and Marfell-Jones (1991).
Biceps: The caliper was applied 1cm distally from the vertical fold raised by the
tester’s left thumb and index finger, at the marked mid-acromiale-radiale line on the
anterior surface of the participant’s right arm.
Triceps: The caliper was applied 1 cm distally from the vertical fold raised by the
tester’s left thumb and index finger, at the marked mid-acromiale-radiale line on the
posterior surface of the participant’s right arm.
Subscapular: The caliper was applied 1 cm distally from the skin fold raised by the
tester’s left thumb and index finger, in a position oblique to the inferior angle of the
participant’s scapula along the natural fold.
Suprailiac: The caliper was applied 1cm anteriorly from the oblique skin fold raised
by the tester’s left thumb and index finger, at the intersection of the border of the
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