Physical and Performance Changes in Rugby Union Female Student-Athletes Over 31-and 52-Weeks

Abstract

Only two papers have been published on physical and/or performance characteristics for women Rugby Union (RU) players and no data is available for Academy/ developing women RU student-athletes. The objective of this paper was to investigate, using descriptive statistics, the potential enhancement of physical and performance variables of New Zealand Women RU Academy student-athletes (NZWRUSA) over a 31-weekpremier league season and over 52-weeks, and compare this data with previous publications. Players trained 25hours per week, with an additional 12 to 15hours being scheduled for team practices and game play. Data collection was scheduled for set intervals. Over the Otago Rugby Football Union premier league season (weeks 1-31) mean data illustrated an increase in body weight(trivial Cohn’s effect size (ES/d)) with concurrent performance enhancement in all but one performance variable, ES ranging between trivial (d = 0.08) and large (d = 2.44). Over 52-weeks of training, body weight increase was again accompanied with improvements in all performance parameters except the two sprints, with large ES difference in lower extremity power (d = 1.49), upper body strength-bench press (d = 1.44), and anaerobic endurance effort (d = 2.37).Physical and performance enhancement, over a 31-week competitive-season and over 52-weeks, is possible even with an increase in body weight.