Physical Evaluation of Selected Malaysian National Rugby Players

Authors: LC Chong , A Yaacob, MH Rosli, Y Adam, A Yusuf , MS Omar-Fauzee, N Sutresna, Berliana, HH Pramono, M Nazrul-Hakim

Abstract:

Currently, there is no database or local norms for the physical performance of Malaysian rugby players. This database or norms are vital for Malaysian-s sports development as programs can be setup to improve the current status. This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the status of our semi professional rugby players. The rugby players were randomly selected from the Malaysian National team and several clubs in the Klang valley, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. 54 male rugby players (Age: 24.41 ± 4.06 years) were selected for this pilot study. Height, bodyweight, percentage body fat and body mass index (BMI) and several other physical tests were performed. Results from the BLEEP test revealed an average of level 9, shuttle 2 for the players. Interestingly, forwards were taller, heavier, and had lower maximal aerobic power than backs in the same team. In conclusion, the physical characteristics of the rugby players were much lower when compared to international players from other countries. From this pilot study, the physical performance of the Malaysian team must be improved in order to further develop the sports.

Keywords: Rugby, Malaysia, Fitness, Collision sports

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1332648

References:

[1] Gabbett T, Kelly J, Pezet T. A comparison of fitness and skill among playing positions in sub-elite rugby league players. J Sci Med Sport. 2008 Nov;11(6):585-92. Epub 2007 Aug 27.
[2] Meir R, Newton R, Curtis E, Fardell M, Butler B. (2001). Physical fitness qualities of professional rugby league football players: determination of positional differences. J Strength Cond Res 15:450ÔÇö8.
[3] Baker, D., & Nance, S. (1999). The Relation Between Running Speed and Measures of Strength and Power in Professional Rugby League Players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 13(3), 230- 235.
[4] Gabbett TJ. Physiological characteristics of junior and senior rugby league players. Br J Sports Med 2002;36:334ÔÇö9.
[5] Baker D. (2001). A series of studies on the training of high-intensity muscle power in rugby league football players. J Strength Cond Res. May;15(2):198-209
[6] Alan M Batterham, Will G Hopkins (2005). Making Meaningful Inferences About Magnitudes. Sportscience 9, 6-13.
[7] Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) (2010). Kajian Penglibatan Golongan Belia dan Masyarakat Dalam Sukan. (unpublished report in Malay).
[8] Duncan, M. J., Woodfield, L., & al-Nakeeb, Y. (2006). Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(7), 649-651.
[9] Nightingale, C. M., Rudnicka, A. R., Owen, C. G., Cook, D. G., & Whincup, P. H. (2010). Patterns of body size and adiposity among UK children of South Asian, black African Caribbean and white European origin: Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE Study). International Journal of Epidemiology, 40(1), 33-44.
[10] Minkler, S., and Patterson, P. (1994). The validity of the modified sitand- reach test in college-age students. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 65:189-192.
[11] Hoffman, J. (2006). Norms for fitness, performance, and health. Human Kinetics
[12] Ruiz, J. R., Castro-Piñero, J., España-Romero, V., Artero, E. G., Ortega, F. B., Cuenca, M. M., et al. (2010). Field-based fitness assessment in young people: the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for children and adolescents. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
[13] Ramsbottom R, Brewer J, Williams C. (1988). A progressive shuttle run test to estimate maximal oxygen uptake. Br J Sports Med 22:141ÔÇö4.
[14] O-Connor, D. (1997). Fitness Profile of Professional Rugby League Players. In Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. and Hughes, M. Science and Fototball III (pp: 11-14). London. Taylor and Francis.
[15] Gledhill, A., Mulligan, C., Saffery, G., Sutton, L. and Taylor, R. (2007). BTEC National Sport and Exercise Sciences by Heinemann.
[16] Gabbett T, Kelly J, Ralph S, Driscoll D. Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior elite and sub-elite rugby league players, with special reference to starters and non-starters. J Sci Med Sport. 2009 12, 215-222.