Player's success prediction in rugby union: From youth performance to senior level placing. Issue 4 (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fontana, Federico Y.; Colosio, Alessandro L.; Da Lozzo, Giorgio; Pogliaghi, Silvia
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 20:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 409
• Page End: 414
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Database -- Discriminant analysis -- Anthropometry -- Retrospective studies -- Draft camps; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.08.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The study questioned if and to what extent specific anthropometric and functional characteristics measured in youth draft camps, can accurately predict subsequent career progression in rugby union. Design: Original research. Methods: Anthropometric and functional characteristics of 531 male players (U16) were retrospectively analysed in relation to senior level team representation at age 21–24. Players were classified as International (Int: National team and international clubs) or National (Nat: 1st, 2nd and other divisions and dropout). Multivariate analysis of variance (one-way MANOVA) tested differences between Int and Nat, along a combination of anthropometric (body mass, height, body fat, fat-free mass) and functional variables (SJ, CMJ, t15m, t30m, VO2max ). A discriminant function (DF) was determined to predict group assignment based on the linear combination of variables that best discriminate groups. Correct level assignment was expressed as % hit rate. Results: A combination of anthropometric and functional characteristics reflects future level assignment (Int vs. Nat). Players' success can be accurately predicted (hit rate = 81% and 77% for Int and Nat respectively) by a DF that combines anthropometric and functional variables as measured at ∼15 years of age, percent body fat and speed being the most influential predictors of group stratification. Conclusions: Within a group of 15 year-olds with exceptional physical characteristics, future players' success can be predicted using a linear combination of anthropometric and functional variables, among which a lower percent body fat and higher speed over a 15 m sprint provide the most important predictors of the highest career success.