title: Retrospective analysis of anthropometric and fitness characteristics associated with long-term career progression in Rugby League.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study retrospectively investigated the differences in anthropometric and fitness characteristics of junior rugby league players selected onto a talent identification and development (TID) programme between long-term career progression levels (i.e., amateur, academy, professional).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Former junior rugby league players (N=580) selected to a TID programme were grouped according to their career progression level. Anthropometric (height, sitting height, body mass and sum of four skinfolds), maturational and fitness (power, speed, change of direction speed and estimated V̇O2max) assessments were conducted at 13-15 years. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) analyzed differences between career progression levels controlling for chronological age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  57.1% and 12.1% of players selected to the TID programme progressed to academy and professional levels in rugby league, respectively. Sum of four skinfolds (η(2)=0.03), vertical jump (η(2)=0.02), 10 m (η(2)=0.02), 20 m (η(2)=0.02), 30 m (η(2)=0.02), and 60 m (η(2)=0.03) speed, agility 505 left (η(2)=0.06), agility 505 right (η(2)=0.05) and estimated V̇O2max (η(2)=0.03) were superior within junior players who progressed to professional compared to amateur levels. No significant differences were identified between future academy and professional players for any measure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that lower sum of four skinfolds and advanced fitness characteristics within junior (13-15 years) rugby league players may partially contribute to long-term career progression. Therefore, TID programmes within rugby league should aim to assess and develop body composition and fitness characteristics, especially change of direction speed. However, TID programmes should also consider technical, tactical and psycho-social characteristics of junior rugby league players that may be important for long-term career progression.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: k.till@leedsmet.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Till
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise & Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cobley
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.affiliation: Rugby Football League, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Carlton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002322:Career Mobility; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Adolescence; Talent development; Talent identification