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Table 2 Anthropometric qualites reported in male, adolescent rugby league players according to age group, playing level, and playing position

From: What Tests are Used to Assess the Physical Qualities of Male, Adolescent Rugby League Players? A Systematic Review of Testing Protocols and Reported Data Across Adolescent Age Groups

Study

Playing level

Position

Sample size (n)

Age (years)

Height (cm)

Seated height (cm)

Body mass (kg)

Sum of skinfolds (mm)

Equipment

Stature

Body mass

Skinfolds

12 years of age

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

13

12.5 ± 0.5

–

–

57.0 ± 13.2

–

–

Electronic Scales

–

  

Backs

14

12.3 ± 0.5

–

–

44.8 ± 5.7

–

   

13 years of age

Gabbett et al. [48]

Academy

All

53

13.2 ± 0.6

161.5 ± 10.0

 

54.0 ± 15.0

Σ4: 34.2 ± 15.8

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

7

13.5 ± 0.5

–

–

67.7 ± 11.0

–

–

Electronic Scales

–

  

Backs

10

13.7 ± 0.4

–

–

52.1 ± 6.6

–

   

Till et al. [51]

Academy

All

221

13.6 ± 0.3

169.6 ± 7.7

–

62.2 ± 10.4

Σ4: 36.6 ± 14.9

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [95]

Academy

All

NR

13.8 ± 0.1

172.8 ± 6.4

87.0 ± 3.7

65.1 ± 9.6

Σ4: 36.9 ± 17.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [45]

Eliteb

NR

255

13.6 ± 0.3

169.6 ± 8.4

–

62.4 ± 11.4

Σ4: 38.6 ± 16.4

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Elitec

 

130

13.7 ± 0.2

171.0 ± 7.1

–

63.7 ± 9.0

Σ4: 34.9 ± 12.3

   

Till et al. [8]

Amateur

All

249

13.6 ± 0.6

174.2 ± 7.1

88.9 ± 4.0

70.7 ± 13.5

Σ4: 41.6 ± 18.2

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

261

13.6 ± 0.6

175.2 ± 6.8

89.1 ± 4.0

70.9 ± 11.1

Σ4: 38.4 ± 15.5

   
 

Elite

All

70

13.8 ± 0.7

174.1 ± 9.7

87.8 ± 5.8

67.1 ± 12.8

Σ4: 33.4 ± 9.8

   

Till et al. [50]

Amateur

All

NR

13.6 ± 0.2

171.4 ± 6.7

87.2 ± 4.4

65.4 ± 12.4

Σ4: 41.4 ± 20.3

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

 

13.7 ± 0.1

170.5 ± 4.6

86.6 ± 3.5

62.6 ± 7.6

Σ4: 35.8 ± 14.8

   
 

Elite

All

 

13.4 ± 0.3

170.6 ± 7.9

85.6 ± 4.2

63.0 ± 11.4

Σ4: 33.4 ± 13.7

   

Till et al. [102]

Academy

All

NR

13.6 ± 0.2

171.2 ± 7.0

86.4 ± 4.1

63.9 ± 9.8

Σ4: 36.2 ± 15.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Outside backs

NR

13.7 ± 0.2

171.5 ± 6.8

86.2 ± 4.0

60.3 ± 4.0

Σ4: 26.9 ± 5.8

   
  

Pivots

NR

13.5 ± 0.3

165.0 ± 5.6

83.7 ± 4.3

55.5 ± 7.1

Σ4: 31.9 ± 11.0

   
  

Props

NR

13.6 ± 0.2

174.0 ± 7.5

87.8 ± 4.0

75.0 ± 8.8

Σ4: 52.3 ± 18.6

   
  

Backs

NR

13.7 ± 0.2

174.2 ± 4.6

87.8 ± 3.1

67.2 ± 6.7

Σ4: 39.0 ± 12.1

   

Till et al. [39]

Amateur

All

50

13.6 ± 0.3

169.0 ± 7.5

85.8 ± 4.1

61.2 ± 11.6

Σ4: 36.9 ± 17.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

32

13.6 ± 0.2

170.5 ± 5.9

86.6 ± 4.2

61.5 ± 7.7

Σ4: 33.3 ± 13.2

   
 

Elite

All

13

13.6 ± 0.3

166.8 ± 10.4

83.5 ± 5.5

57.2 ± 12.2

Σ4: 32.0 ± 6.8

   

14 years of age

Gabbett et al. [47]

Academy

All

14

14.1 ± 0.2

169.5 ± 2.1

 

65.9 ± 2.7

Σ7: 73.3 ± 8.4

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

11

14.5 ± 0.5

–

–

76.5 ± 9.7

–

–

Electronic Scales

–

  

Backs

12

14.6 ± 0.5

–

–

62.1 ± 6.9

–

   

Gabbett et al. [24]

Academy

All

23

14.5 ± 0.5

173.0 ± 9.3

–

69.0 ± 11.2

–

NR

NR

–

 

Elite

All

36

14.3 ± 0.9

173.0 ± 8.9

–

73.9 ± 16.2

–

   

Alonso-Aubin et al. [84]

Amateur

All

46

14.5 ± 1.3

165.0 ± 0.1

–

58.1 ± 13.0

–

   

Till et al. [51]

Academy

All

240

14.6 ± 0.3

174.7 ± 6.4

–

70.0 ± 11.1

Σ4: 39.1 ± 16.8

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [45]

Eliteb

All

309

14.6 ± 0.3

175.0 ± 6.5

–

70.2 ± 10.8

Σ4: 40.1 ± 17.1

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Elitec

All

86

14.6 ± 0.3

175.3 ± 6.5

–

71.1 ± 9.3

Σ4: 35.8 ± 12.2

   

Till et al. [50]

Amateur

All

NR

14.6 ± 0.2

175.0 ± 6.1

89.2 ± 4.5

70.1 ± 12.3

Σ4: 44.5 ± 17.4

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

NR

14.7 ± 0.1

174.7 ± 4.7

89.3 ± 2.8

69.5 ± 9.0

Σ4: 35.4 ± 16.2

   
 

Elite

All

NR

14.4 ± 0.3

176.6 ± 5.8

89.3 ± 3.2

71.6 ± 10.6

Σ4: 37.4 ± 14.3

   

Till et al. [102]

Academy

All

NR

14.6 ± 0.2

175.7 ± 6.2

89.3 ± 3.4

71.1 ± 9.6

Σ4: 39.3 ± 15.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Outside backs

NR

14.7 ± 0.2

175.7 ± 6.4

89.0 ± 3.3

67.9 ± 5.3

Σ4: 32.2 ± 10.7

   
  

Pivots

NR

14.5 ± 0.3

171.1 ± 4.6

87.4 ± 3.2

63.2 ± 7.9

Σ4: 34.4 ± 13.9

   
  

Props

NR

14.6 ± 0.2

178.1 ± 6.9

90.4 ± 3.5

81.5 ± 8.6

Σ4: 53.2 ± 13.6

   
  

Backs

NR

14.7 ± 0.2

178.3 ± 4.0

90.7 ± 2.6

74.3 ± 7.4

Σ4: 41.5 ± 14.3

   

Till et al. [39]

Amateur

All

92

14.6 ± 0.3

174.9 ± 6.2

89.0 ± 3.3

71.1 ± 11.8

Σ4: 41.2 ± 18.7

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

85

14.6 ± 0.3

174.8 ± 6.3

88.6 ± 3.7

70.0 ± 10.7

Σ4: 37.4 ± 13.8

   
 

Elite

All

18

14.5 ± 0.3

171.9 ± 9.0

86.0 ± 5.4

61.7 ± 9.2

Σ4: 28.5 ± 9.2

   

Till et al. [59]

Academy

All

31

NR

–

–

55.0 ± 12.3

Σ4: 32.1 ± 8.6

–

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [95]

Academy

All

NR

14.8 ± 0.1

176.8 ± 6.1

89.7 ± 3.3

71.8 ± 9.2

Σ4: 38.9 ± 15.3

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

15 years of age

Dobbin et al. [66]

Academy

All

235

15.1 ± 0.8

172.6 ± 6.9

–

73.6 ± 10.6

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

  

Wingers

–

15.1 ± 0.8

174.6 ± 5.9

–

69.3 ± 9.7

–

   
  

Centre

–

15.1 ± 0.8

177.1 ± 5.2

–

72.6 ± 7.5

–

   
  

Halves

–

15.1 ± 0.9

172.9 ± 8.4

–

66.4 ± 8.1

–

   
  

Hookers

–

15.1 ± 0.1

171.6 ± 7.2

–

68.7 ± 10.5

–

   
  

Props

–

15.1 ± 0.1

178.4 ± 5.1

–

85.3 ± 9.4

–

   
  

Back row

–

15.1 ± 0.1

179.2 ± 6.2

–

77.3 ± 8.3

–

   

Waldron et al. [52]

Academy

All

21

15.1 ± 0.3

178.6 ± 3.9

–

79.6 ± 9.1

–

NR

NR

 

Gabbett et al. [48]

Academy

All

20

15.1 ± 0.6

171.6 ± 6.6

–

67.0 ± 17.7

Σ4: 31.1 ± 17.3

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Waldron et al. [46]

Academy

All

13

15.1 ± 0.3

–

93.4 ± 2.3

81.9 ± 9.1

–

–

Electronic Scales

–

Fernandes et al. [86]

Academy

All

16

15.4 ± 0.5

–

–

79.7 ± 10.8

–

–

Electronic Scales

–

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

12

15.4 ± 0.9

–

–

75.5 ± 10.4

–

–

Electronic Scales

–

  

Backs

9

15.4 ± 0.5

–

–

64.8 ± 16.0

–

–

–

–

Till et al. [51]

Academy

All

220

15.5 ± 0.3

177.8 ± 6.3

–

75.9 ± 10.4

Σ4: 41.2 ± 16.2

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Tredrea et al. [60]

Academy

All

49

15.5 ± 0.6

175.5 ± 6.7

89.9 ± 2.3

74.4 ± 13.4

Σ7: 76.9 ± 36.9

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

NR

 

Elite

All

51

15.5 ± 0.5

177.1 ± 6.4

90.2 ± 2.5

77.3 ± 11.0

Σ7: 70.7 ± 6.4

–

–

–

Baker et al. [105]

Academy

All

13

15.5 ± 0.5

178.0 ± 4.4

–

83.2 ± 9.8

–

NR

NR

–

Till et al. [39]

Amateur

All

107

15.6 ± 0.3

177.1 ± 6.4

90.9 ± 3.6

76.1 ± 12.4

Σ4: 43.5 ± 17.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

144

15.6 ± 0.3

177.7 ± 6.3

90.7 ± 3.6

75.3 ± 10.4

Σ4: 40.4 ± 16.4

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

39

15.5 ± 0.3

179.5 ± 5.8

91.4 ± 3.3

76.2 ± 8.5

Σ4: 37.3 ± 10.8

–

–

–

Till et al. [102]

Academy

All

NR

15.6 ± 0.2

178.6 ± 5.7

91.1 ± 3.1

77.6 ± 9.8

Σ4: 42.4 ± 16.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Outside backs

NR

15.7 ± 0.2

178.3 ± 6.4

90.8 ± 3.1

73.4 ± 6.3

Σ4: 33.9 ± 8.9

   
  

Pivots

NR

15.5 ± 0.3

175.0 ± 4.1

89.5 ± 2.9

70.0 ± 6.3

Σ4: 35.6 ± 12.5

   
  

Props

NR

15.6 ± 0.2

180.2 ± 6.6

91.8 ± 3.6

88.5 ± 9.3

Σ4: 58.8 ± 16.5

   
  

Backs

NR

15.7 ± 0.2

180.7 ± 4.0

92.3 ± 2.3

80.7 ± 7.3

Σ4: 45.3 ± 14.9

   

Gabbett et al. [24]

Academy

All

28

15.6 ± 0.6

176.0 ± 10.4

–

73.0 ± 12.3

–

NR

NR

–

 

Elite

All

21

15.8 ± 0.3

177.0 ± 5.2

–

82.1 ± 10.9

–

   

Till et al. [50]

Amateur

All

NR

15.6 ± 0.2

178.1 ± 5.0

91.3 ± 4.0

77.4 ± 11.4

Σ4: 46.2 ± 19.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Academy

All

NR

15.7 ± 0.1

177.3 ± 5.0

91.0 ± 2.7

76.2 ± 10.4

Σ4: 42.3 ± 18.2

   
 

Elite

All

NR

15.4 ± 0.3

179.6 ± 4.2

91.4 ± 2.2

78.7 ± 10.3

Σ4: 36.8 ± 13.3

   

Till et al. [45]

Eliteb

All

306

15.6 ± 0.3

177.8 ± 6.3

–

75.8 ± 10.9

Σ4: 41.1 ± 15.8

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Elitec

All

86

15.6 ± 0.3

178.3 ± 6.4

–

77.6 ± 9.7

Σ4: 39.9 ± 14.5

   

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

35

15.7 ± 0.2

176.7 ± 5.5

–

76.4 ± 8.4

Σ4: 35.0 ± 10.9

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [95]

Academy

All

NR

15.8 ± 0.1

178.8 ± 6.1

91.1 ± 3.0

78.0 ± 10.0

Σ4: 42.7 ± 17.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Gabbett et al. [38]

Academy

All

13

15.9 ± 0.6

175.2 ± 6.9

–

72.3 ± 11.7

Σ7: 76.4 ± 28.1

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

68

NR

175.7 ± 7.1

–

75.2 ± 11.1

Σ4: 37.2 ± 12.7

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Forwards

37

NR

177.7 ± 5.4

–

80.9 ± 9.7

Σ4: 42.7 ± 14.1

   
  

Backs

31

NR

173.1 ± 8.2

–

68.4 ± 8.6

Σ4: 30.4 ± 5.9

   

Till et al. [59]

Academy

All

75

NR

–

–

70.9 ± 11.1

Σ4: 38.2 ± 16.6

–

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

16 years of age

Gabbett et al. [14]

Academy

Alld

36

15.9 ± 0.6

176.0 ± 6.0

–

74.3 ± 13.4

Σ7: 75.1 ± 31.9

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

  

Hit up forwardsd

15.8 ± 0.7

176.7 ± 5.3

–

88.9 ± 7.2

Σ7: 113.6 ± 21.9

    
  

Adjustablesd

 

15.7 ± 0.4

174.5 ± 3.3

–

68.0 ± 8.2

Σ7: 60.6 ± 7.9

   
  

Outside backs

 

16.1 ± 0.7

176.4 ± 7.4

–

69.2 ± 12.2

Σ7: 60.8 ± 25.7

   
 

Elite

All

28

16.0 ± 0.2

178.0 ± 5.9

–

77.5 ± 10.0

Σ7: 67.1 ± 14.8

   
  

Hit up forwardsd

15.9 ± 0.4

180.9 ± 6.7

–

87.0 ± 11.1

Σ7: 80.2 ± 12.4

    
  

Adjustables

 

16.0 ± 0.2

175.5 ± 4.9

–

73.0 ± 6.2

Σ7: 59.6 ± 8.1

   
  

Outside backs

 

16.0 ± 0.2

178.8 ± 5.5

–

74.9 ± 7.6

Σ7: 65.4 ± 17.0

   

Gabbett et al. [38]

Elite

All

28

16.0 ± 0.2

178.0 ± 5.9

–

77.5 ± 10.0

Σ7: 67.1 ± 14.8

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Waldron et al. [46]

Academy

All

13

16.2 ± 0.3

–

94.6 ± 1.9

86.1 ± 6.0

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

Baker et al. [105]

Academy

All

11

16.2 ± 1.2

184.0 ± 4.1

–

83.6 ± 7.4

–

NR

NR

–

Waldron et al. [52]

Academy

All

21

16.2 ± 0.3

179.3 ± 3.8

–

81.4 ± 8.7

–

NR

NR

–

Gabbett et al. [48]

Academy

All

15

16.5 ± 0.3

177.7 ± 6.2

–

78.5 ± 13.6

Σ4: 38.5 ± 19.1

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Coutts et al. [64]

Academy

Al

21

16.6 ± 1.2

168.0 ± 6.4

–

74.7 ± 8.6

–

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

–

 

Academy

All

21

16.8 ± 1.0

170.0 ± 5.4

–

77.9 ± 8.7

–

   

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

44

16.7 ± 0.2

178.7 ± 5.5

–

81.8 ± 9.3

Σ4: 37.0 ± 13.2

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Gabbett et al. [47]

Academy

All

21

16.9 ± 0.3

179.7 ± 1.3

–

80.1 ± 2.3

Σ7: 81.1 ± 5.7

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Gabbet et al. [49]

Academy

All

36

16.9 ± 0.6

176.3 ± 6.5

–

74.3 ± 16.4

Σ7: 77.2 ± 34.3

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

Gabbett et al. [24]

Academy

All

25

16.9 ± 0.3

177.0 ± 6.1

–

74.0 ± 9.6

–

NR

NR

–

 

Elite

All

18

16.8 ± 0.3

177.0 ± 8.1

–

80.1 ± 11.2

–

   

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

51

NR

177.0 ± 6.0

–

81.1 ± 9.4

Σ4: 36.5 ± 12.8

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Forwards

28

NR

173.4 ± 4.1

–

75.4 ± 7.0

Σ4: 31.4 ± 6.2

   
  

Backs

23

NR

180.5 ± 5.5

–

85.7 ± 8.6

Σ4: 40.5 ± 15.1

   

Till et al. [103]

Academy

All

37

NR

176.9 ± 5.5

–

79.9 ± 10.3

Σ4: 37.1 ± 14.3

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Elite

All

13

NR

181.8 ± 3.1

–

84.5 ± 5.2

Σ4: 34.6 ± 6.9

   

17 years of age

Waldron et al. [46]

Academy

All

13

17.0 ± 0.3

–

94.7 ± 2.1

86.3 ± 9.4

–

–

Electronic Scales

 

Waldron et al. [52]

Academy

All

15

17.0 ± 0.4

180.4 ± 4.2

–

86.3 ± 9.7

–

NR

NR

 

Fernandes et al. [86]

Academy

All

23

17.1 ± 1.0

–

–

85.9 ± 10.4

  

Electronic Scales

 

Baker et al. [105]

Academy

All

15

17.1 ± 0.6

182.0 ± 5.3

–

85.3 ± 9.6

–

NR

NR

 

Dobbin et al. [42]

Academy

All

16

17.2 ± 0.7

179.9 ± 4.9

–

88.5 ± 10.1

Σ7: 88.1 ± 25.3

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Pearce et al. [72]

Academy

All

52

17.2 ± 0.5

179.9 ± 7.0

–

83.8 ± 11.2

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

Till et al. [97]

Academy

All

61

17.3 ± 0.7

181.3 ± 6.0

–

83.9 ± 10

Σ4: 39.7 ± 14.7

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Dobbin et al. [62]

Academy

All

55

17.4 ± 0.5

181.3 ± 6.3

–

89.0 ± 11.6

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

Dobbin et al. [104]

Academy

All

67

17.4 ± 1.0

179.7 ± 6.1

–

85.2 ± 10.7

–

NR

NR

–

Tredrea et al. [60]

Academy

All

41

17.4 ± 0.7

175.6 ± 5.1

91.2 ± 2.2

82.0 ± 11.9

Σ7: 92.5 ± 44.0

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

NR

 

Elite

All

19

17.0 ± 0.7

175.7 ± 5.1

91.2 ± 2.4

86.7 ± 12.6

Σ7: 96.1 ± 35.2

   

Dobbin et al. [65]

Academy

All

197

17.4 ± 1.0

179.4 ± 5.0

–

85.5 ± 7.4

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

  

Back Row

 

17.5 ± 0.8

182.1 ± 1.9

–

88.8 ± 4.8

–

   
  

Centre

 

17.2 ± 0.9

180.4 ± 4.9

–

85.0 ± 6.6

–

   
  

Forward

 

17.3 ± 0.5

182.5 ± 5.2

–

95.1 ± 14.7

–

   
  

Full back

 

17.4 ± 0.9

176.6 ± 5.3

–

80.1 ± 8.1

–

   
  

Half Back

 

17.3 ± 1.1

175.0 ± 4.3

–

76.8 ± 6.9

–

   
  

Hooker

 

17.2 ± 1.2

173.2 ± 3.9

–

77.2 ± 9.5

–

   
  

Loose Forward

17.5 ± 0.8

179.8 ± 3.8

–

88.4 ± 5.4

–

    
  

Prop

 

17.2 ± 0.9

183.2 ± 5.9

–

99.1 ± 8.6

–

   
  

Scrum Half

 

17.3 ± 1.4

172.7 ± 5.4

–

72.5 ± 5.6

–

   
  

Second Row

 

17.9 ± 1.4

184.9 ± 5.4

–

90.4 ± 5.6

–

   
  

Stand-Offd

 

18.0 ± 0.6

178.0 ± 4.5

–

88.5 ± 5.6

–

   
  

Winger

 

17.4 ± 1.1

183.8 ± 7.5

–

84.6 ± 7.5

–

   

Dobbin et al. [66]

Academy

All

365

17.5 ± 2.0

180.7 ± 6.4

–

87.5 ± 11.7

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

  

Winger/Full Back

–

180.9 ± 6.5

–

82.2 ± 9.5

–

–

–

–

 
  

Centre

 

–

181.4 ± 5.4

–

85.3 ± 6.7

–

–

–

–

  

Halves

 

–

176.4 ± 5.0

–

78.1 ± 6.8

–

–

–

–

  

Hooker

 

–

173.8 ± 6.2

–

78.1 ± 8.7

–

–

–

–

  

Prop

 

–

183.0 ± 6.1

–

99.7 ± 11.7

–

–

–

–

  

Back Row

 

–

183.0 ± 4.9

–

90.9 ± 8.4

–

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [22]a

Academy

Props

37

17.6 ± 2.4

183.9 ± 5.4

–

101.1 ± 11.0

Σ4: 72.0 ± 21.6

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

Harpenden

  

Hookers

31

17.3 ± 1.1

171.9 ± 2.9

–

69.9 ± 5.7

Σ4: 35.9 ± 12.5

–

–

–

  

Back Row

36

17.2 ± 1.8

176.8 ± 4.3

–

83.6 ± 9.6

Σ4: 39.5 ± 10.1

–

–

–

  

Lockd

11

16.5 ± 1.5

176.7 ± 3.6

–

74.8 ± 7.0

Σ4: 33.7 ± 7.2

   
  

Halvesd

27

16.7 ± 1.5

170.6 ± 6.5

–

69.1 ± 7.2

Σ4: 40.9 ± 7.2

   
  

Five Eighthd

11

16.7 ± 1.6

176.3 ± 2.8

–

72.0 ± 9.8

Σ4: 24.7 ± 1.6

   
  

Centre

27

17.0 ± 2.3

176.7 ± 2.9

–

79.6 ± 8.7

Σ4: 34.8 ± 9.9

   
  

Winger

39

17.7 ± 2.2

176.4 ± 4.2

–

72.9 ± 8.2

Σ4: 30.7 ± 7.4

   
  

Fullback

21

17.4 ± 2.0

177.1 ± 3.5

–

78.8 ± 11.9

Σ4: 36.2 ± 9.2

   

Nicholson et al. [56]

Academy

All

20

17.6 ± 0.9

179.9 ± 6.6

–

91.2 ± 11.8

–

–

–

–

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

34

17.7 ± 0.3

180.9 ± 5.2

–

87.3 ± 10.4

Σ4: 38.1 ± 13.0

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Darrel-Jones et al. [63]

Academy

All

14

17.7 ± 0.6

180.9 ± 6.4

–

85.9 ± 9.4

–

NR

NR

–

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

10

17.8 ± 0.8

–

–

89.4 ± 15.1

–

–

–

–

  

Backs

12

17.3 ± 0.8

–

–

74.2 ± 10.2

–

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [23]a

Academy

All

36

17.9 ± 0.4

177.0 ± 7.4

–

83.3 ± 32.7

Σ7: 93.9 ± 31.8

Stadiometer

Electronic scales

–

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

61

NR

179.5 ± 5.8

–

85.3 ± 10.0

Σ4: 38.1 ± 12.1

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Forwards

28

NR

176.7 ± 5.9

–

78.5 ± 7.6

Σ4: 32.2 ± 7.9

–

–

–

  

Backs

33

NR

181.9 ± 4.6

–

90.9 ± 8.1

Σ4: 42.9 ± 12.8

–

–

–

Till et al. [59]

Academy

All

64

NR

–

–

84.1 ± 10.8

Σ4: 41.9 ± 17.6

–

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Till et al. [103]

Academy

All

41

NR

179.0 ± 5.3

–

84.7 ± 10.7

Σ4: 39.0 ± 13.6

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Elite

All

19

NR

181.8 ± 5.0

–

87.4 ± 8.9

Σ4: 36.1 ± 7.6

   

18 years of age

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

16

18.7 ± 0.2

180.8 ± 4.8

–

88.4 ± 9.2

Σ4: 37.6 ± 10.3

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

Kirkpatrick et al. [13]

Elite

Forwards

12

18.8 ± 1.1

180.1 ± 11.7

–

90.1 ± 11.7

–

NR

NR

–

  

Backs

12

18.7 ± 0.8

176.8 ± 6.1

–

82.8 ± 6.3

–

–

–

–

Pearce et al. [72]

Academy

All

53

18.9 ± 0.6

179.2 ± 6.3

–

85.5 ± 11.1

–

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

–

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

50

NR

180.2 ± 2.7

–

88.0 ± 9.4

Σ4: 37 ± 10.6

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

  

Forwards

22

NR

179.3 ± 5.4

–

81.8 ± 8.0

Σ4: 30.5 ± 6.9

   
  

Backs

28

NR

182.7 ± 5.0

–

94.1 ± 7.7

Σ4: 43.5 ± 14.2

   

Till et al. [103]

Academy

All

30

NR

180.5 ± 5.3

–

87.5 ± 9.9

Σ4: 38.4 ± 15.6

Stadiometer

Electronic Scales

Harpenden

 

Elite

All

19

NR

182.3 ± 5.2

–

90.8 ± 9.7

Σ4: 36.9 ± 8.5

   
  1. NR not reported, – not tested, All players combined across all positions
  2. aReported 95% confidence intervals, which were converted to standard deviation according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0
  3. bPlayers classified as elite by definition and within ‘national’ squads as identified by authors
  4. cPlayers classified as elite by definition and within ‘regional’ squads as identified by authors
  5. dException to age grouping as a subsample of larger study sample within this age category
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