Physical fitness of elite women's rugby union players over a ...
Physical fitness of elite women's rugby union players over a ...
Physical fitness of elite women's rugby union players over a ...
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(forwards = 38.5 ± 5.03 cm; backs = 44.8 ± 8.30 cm), is higher than <strong>elite</strong> Australian female<br />
<strong>rugby</strong> league forwards (35.1 ± 8.0 cm) and backs (35.7 ± 5.9 cm) (Gabbett, 2007) and<br />
equivalent to senior New Zealand female <strong>rugby</strong> <strong>players</strong> (forwards = 39.6 ± 5.60 cm; backs =<br />
44.8 ± 8.30 cm) (Quarrie et al., 1995) which suggests that the <strong>players</strong> have satisfactory<br />
explosive leg power to compete internationally.<br />
In the current study, although there were no significant differences between positional groups<br />
in the vertical jumping height results, the current data indicated that the backs obtained higher<br />
mean vertical jump displacement values than the forwards. This is similar to a previous study<br />
on <strong>elite</strong> Australian female <strong>rugby</strong> league <strong>players</strong> (Gabbett, 2007) whereby no significant<br />
positional differences were found for the vertical jump test using the Vertec height measuring<br />
device. This pattern <strong>of</strong> results differs from the findings <strong>of</strong> a previous research studies (Maud,<br />
1983; Rigg & Reilly, 1988) whereby backs generally produce a superior vertical jump<br />
performance compared with forwards when assessed using the chalk board or wall measuring<br />
tape. Hence, such comparisons may not be valid and reliable as the vertical jump assessment<br />
did not use standardised methods <strong>over</strong> this period (e.g. chalk board versus Vertec) (Duthie et<br />
al., 2003).<br />
Based on this study, there were no changes in vertical jump performance <strong>over</strong> the course <strong>of</strong><br />
the season for both forwards and backs. It has been suggested that to enhance vertical<br />
jumping ability, one needs to implement a well-designed training program that includes short<br />
plyometric sessions as part <strong>of</strong> the strength and conditioning program (H<strong>of</strong>f, Kemi & Helgaud,<br />
2005). The relatively modest change in jumping height within the participants <strong>of</strong> this study<br />
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