Comparison of body fat percentage of Sri Lankan National rugby players based on their playing positions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Rugby is a game of physical contact that involves low-intensity, aerobic exercise, combined with periods of intermittent, intensive anaerobic exercise. The physical demands of rugby vary depending on the playing position. For example forwards require more strength and size to enable them to contest for the ball while backline players need to be more agile and have speed to carry the ball past the opposition. However, fat is useless to rugby players and they need to minimize it. AIMS: To compare the Body fat% in national rugby players in Sri Lanka based on their playing position. Methods: 37 players who are the members of present Sri Lankan rugby team were included in the study (Age;25.10±5.4years). % body fat values were determined using Siri's equation after determining the body density values relevant to age with the use of skin fold thickness values using equations suggested by Durnin & Womersley (1977). RESULTS: The mean %body fat of forwards and backs were 24.11 and 17.45 respectively. The difference in the % of body fat between backs and forwards was significant (p < 0.05). The % body fat values of our study( 21.3 ± 4.19 in forwards and 17.3 ± 3.72 in backs ) is comparable with values obtained by Chong et aim 2011 in Malaysian National rugby players. CONCLUSIONS: Forwards have significantly more fat than backs. They should concentrate more on fat burning aerobic exercises to improve performance.