title: The role of anthropometric, performance and psychological attributes in predicting selection into an elite development programme in older adolescent rugby league players.
abstract: This study aimed to identify attributes that discriminate selected from non-selected players and predict selection into a rugby league development programme in older adolescent players. Anthropometric, performance and psychological attributes were measured in under-16 (N = 100) and under-18 (N = 60) rugby league players trialling for selection into a development programme with a professional Australian club. Sprint times (P < 0.001), predicted VO2max(P = 0.002) and push-ups1min(P = 0.004) were superior in selected under-16 players, and sprint times (P ≤ 0.045), push-ups1min(P < 0.001) and chin-ups1min(P = 0.013) were superior in selected under-18 players. Further, 10-m sprint (β = -7.706, standard error [SE] = 2.412), VO2max(β = 0.168, SE = 0.052) and body mass (β = 0.071, SE = 0.023) significantly predicted selection (R2= 0.339) in under-16 players, while push-ups1min(β = 0.564, SE = 0.250), 10-m sprint (β = -68.477, SE = 28.107), body mass (β = 0.360, SE = 0.155) and chronological age (β = -3.577, SE = 1.720) significantly predicted selection (R2= 0.894) in under-18 players. These findings emphasise the importance of performance attributes in junior rugby league and indicate talent identification test batteries should be age-specific in older adolescent players.
authors.affiliation: a School of Medical and Applied Sciences , Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tredrea
authors.affiliation: b School of Environmental and Life Sciences , University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dascombe
authors.affiliation: c Newcastle Knights Rugby League Football Club , Mayfield , Australia.
authors.forename: Colin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Sanctuary
authors.affiliation: d Human and Exercise Training Laboratory , Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , Australia.
authors.forename: Aaron Terrence
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Scanlan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001076:Aptitude; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001315:Australia; D001835:Body Weight; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
keywords: Football; fitness; junior; mental toughness; talent identification