A comparative analysis of physical fitness characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy players by playing standards: Implications for talent identification programs in resource-constrained settings.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rugby has not grown extensively in Africa compared to other continents, necessitating talent identification (TID) programs to recruit junior talent. However, it is unclear which physical characteristics and rugby-specific game skills to base the objective recruitment of potentially talented young players.

Objectives

This study profiled the physical fitness characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy rugby players by playing standards to identify variables differentiating elite from sub-elite players from Under 16 (U16) to U19 age categories. The study further compared Zimbabwean cohort data with similar data from international/regional countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was utilised with 158 Zimbabwean schoolboy players playing comp

SUBMITTER: Chiwaridzo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11629942 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature