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

participant’s ilium (a horizontal line projected from the iliac crest mark) and a line
from the spinale to the anterior axillary border (armpit). The fold follows the natural
fold lines running medially downwards at about a 45° angle from horizontal.
Medial Calf: The caliper was applied 1cm distally to the left thumb and index finger,
raising a vertical fold on the relaxed medial right calf at the estimated level of the
greatest circumference.
Front Thigh: The caliper was applied 1 cm distally to the skin fold raised by the
tester’s left thumb and index finger, on the anterior surface of the participant’s right
thigh, along the long axis of the femur, with the leg is flexed at 90° at the knee by
placing the foot on a box. The mid-thigh position for this measure was measured as
halfway between the inguinal crease and the mid-point of the anterior patella. In those
participants where the fold was difficult to raise, the calipers were pushed to the
muscle level and slightly retracted with the participant assisting by supporting the
underside of the leg.
Abdominal: The caliper was applied 1 cm inferiorly to the vertical fold raised by the
tester’s left thumb and index finger, on the participant’s right side 5 cm lateral to, and
at the level of, the omphalion (midpoint of the navel).
3.6.4 Flexibility
Sit-and-reach test
The purpose of test was to determine the joint range of motion and flexibility of the muscles
around the hip joint using a sit and reach box with the “zero” point being 26 cm. The sit-andreach
test was performed according to Ellis et al. (2000). A participant sat on the floor with
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