Die relatiewe liggaamsgroottes van adolessente en volwasse Suid-Afrikaanse rugbyspelers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a morphological correlation between rugby players from different age groups and different playing positions when compared proportionally with each other. A total of 369 provincial high school players of an average age of 18.1 years, and 349 adult provincial players of an average age of 24.8 years were used as subjects for the study. Twenty-three kinanthropometric variables were used in the comparison. The two groups were compared to one another in a proportional manner, by using the so-called ";phantom figure";. The results of the experiment indicate that the players still differ proportionally, even if they were in the same playing position and in spite of the compensation made for growth and age differences. Morphological models that are applicable to the adult players cannot be made applicable to adolescents in the same playing positions.


(S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2001 23 (1): 95-107)