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

0.01 was used rather than 0.05. For each outcome variable the residuals from the analysis of
variance model were examined for outliers. Standardized residuals greater than 2.5 were
noted and the analysis was re-run with outliers excluded. In most cases the results were not
noticeably different when the outliers were excluded. The residuals were approximately
normally distributed.
3.8 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ethical clearance and permission was sought from the CHS and Senate Research Committees
of the University of the Western Cape, The South African Rugby Union, and 2009-2010
Springbok women’s rugby squad coaching and technical staff.
On arrival at the training camp, the participants and coaching staff were given an information
package detailing the procedures, expectations and benefits for participating in the study
(Appendix A). Prior to the fitness testing, players received a verbal briefing on the nature and
content of the research (Appendix A). A written consent from each player was requested
(Appendix B) and they were informed of their right to withdraw at any time from the study
without prejudice. They were given the assurance that all data gathered in the data sheet
(Appendix C) during their participation in the research study would be kept confidential and
that their names will not be used in any publication that may arise from this research. Each
participant had access to their own physical fitness results for their personal development.
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