Anthropometrics of Italian senior male rugby union players: from elite to second division.

Anthropometric evaluation of athletes is necessary to optimize talent identification and player development. Objectives: The study aimed at providing a specific anthropometric reference database of senior male rugby players competing at different levels in the southern European region. Design: cross-sectional. Methods: In 362 professional players (25±4 yrs, #138 Italian National team (I), #97 first (1st D) and #127 second division (2nd D) national championships) we measured mass, stature and % body fat (plicometry). Mean, standard deviation and Coefficient of variation were calculated for forwards (FW) and backs (BK) and for positional subgroups. Binomial logistic regression and ROC curve were performed to asses which variables best predicted level assignment (International vs National level). Results: For all competitive levels FW were significantly heavier, taller, had a larger % body fat and fat-free mass compared to BK. The lower the competitive level, the higher within-role variability was observed; furthermore players, within a specific positional subgroup were lighter, shorter, fatter and with less fat-free mass. Fat-free mass is the variable that best predicts the likelihood of being classified as International or National player (cut-off value 79.54 kg). Conclusions: Our data confirm the specificity in the physical requirements of rugby in individual playing positions at all competitive levels and document significant differences among elite, first and second division players in the same positional role. These differences may reflect the variable technical abilities, selection, training practices and requirements of the game among these categories.