Body Composition and Physical Performance: Kinanthropometry Assessment of Elite Male Rugby Referees
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2531Keywords:
Anthropometry, Body composition, Endurance, ISAK, StrengthAbstract
Introduction: Elite rugby referees are required to maintain high levels of physical fitness to cope with the intermittent high-intensity demands of the game. However, limited data are available on their kinanthropometric characteristics. This study aimed to describe the body composition profiles of elite male rugby referees and examine their association with physical performance. Methods: Nineteen elite male Italian rugby referees (age: 31.2 ± 4.6 years; BMI: 23.4 ± 2.1 kg·m⁻²) underwent standardized ISAK anthropometric assessments to determine body composition variables, including somatotype, estimates of body mass components, and several anthropometric indices. Physical performance was evaluated through strength (handgrip and mid-thigh pull test) and endurance (Bronco test) assessments. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were used to explore associations between body composition and performance. Results: Somatotype analysis revealed a predominance of endomorphic-mesomorph and mesomorphic-endomorph profiles, with fewer balanced mesomorph and ectomorphic-mesomorph individuals. Significant correlations were observed between body composition and performance. Age, sum of skinfolds, mesomorphy, and endomorphy were positively associated (p < 0.05) with mean time in the Bronco test, whereas ectomorphy showed a significant inverse relationship (r = −0.75, p < 0.05). Scatterplots with regression lines illustrated these associations. Conclusion: Elite rugby referees primarily displayed mixed somatotypes with high mesomorphic and endomorphic components. Body composition characteristics, particularly ectomorphy and fatness, were associated with endurance performance. This study provides, for the first time, a full anthropometric profile of elite rugby referees, highlighting the relevance of regular kinanthropometric monitoring to optimize their physical preparation.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Cristian Petri, Fabrizio Spataro, Anjumol Cancian, Elisabetta Tozzi, Niccolò Gori, Luca Russo, Francesco Campa
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Articles published in the International Journal of Kinanthropometry are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the source.
