Longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women's rugby league players.

ABSTRACT

This is the first study to assess longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women's rugby league players. Thirteen forwards and 11 backs were tested three times over a 10-month period. Assessments included standing height and body mass, body composition measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a blood panel, resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessed by indirect calorimetry, aerobic capacity (i.e.,[Formula see text]) evaluated by an incremental treadmill test, and isometric force production measured by a force plate. During the pre-season phase, lean mass increased significantly by ~2% for backs (testing point 1 47 kg; testing point 2 48 kg) and forwards (testing point 1 50 kg; testing point 2 51 kg) (p = ≤ 0.05). Backs significantly increased their [Formula see text] by 22% from testing point 1 (40 ml kg-1 min-1) to testing point 3 (49 ml kg-1 min-1) (p = ≤ 0.04). The [Formula see text] of forwards increased by 10% from testing point 1 (41 ml kg-1 min-1) to testing point 3 (45 ml kg-1 min-1), however this change was not significant (p = ≥ 0.05). Body mass (values represent the range of means across the three testing points) (backs 68 kg; forwards 77-78 kg), fat mass percentage (backs 25-26%; forwards 30-31%), resting metabolic rate (backs 7 MJ day-1; forwards 7 MJ day-1), isometric mid-thigh pull (backs 2106-2180 N; forwards 2155-2241 N), isometric bench press (backs 799-822 N; forwards 999-1024 N), isometric prone row (backs 625-628 N; forwards 667-678 N) and bloods (backs ferritin 21-29 ug/L, haemoglobin 137-140 g/L, iron 17-21 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferring saturation 23-28%; forwards ferritin 31-33 ug/L, haemoglobin 141-145 g/L, iron 20-23 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferrin saturation 26-31%) did not change (p = ≥ 0.05). This study provides novel longitudinal data which can be used to better prepare women rugby league players for the unique demands of their sport, underpinning female athlete health.