Abstract:

The rugby sevens is played on a standard 15-a-side rugby pitch over two 7-minute halves between teams of 7 players; although 3 players are designated as forwards and 4 players as backs, these roles are not as clearly delineated as those in the 15-a-side game. The aim was to evaluate and to compare the anthropometric characteristics and aerobic performance of rugby players between different positions. Twenty female rugby seven players were divided into forwards (n = 11) and backs (n = 9) and undertook anthropometric and endurance testing. The forwards had higher body mass, higher body mass index, higher percentage of fat mass and higher muscle mass. The backs had higher oxygen uptake consumption (45.3 ± 3.8 mL/kg/min vs 39.7 ± 5.0 mL/kg/min), higher velocity of oxygen uptake consumption and higher intensity of ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation threshold. In conclusion, there are significant differences between the tactical positions of forwards and backs of amauter female rugby seven players. The differences could be explained by the specific actions taken in the field for each group of players.

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