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Table 7 Muscular power 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 (y)

CMJ height (cm)

MBT distance (m)

Methods CMJ

Methods MBT

Arm swing

Trials

Equipment

Position

Ball

Trials

12 years of age

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

13

12.5 ± 0.5

28.2 ± 10.8

–

NR

2 (best)

Chalk

–

–

–

 

Academy

Backs

14

12.3 ± 0.5

30.8 ± 4.5

–

      

13 years of age

Gabbett et al. [48]

Academy

All

53

13.2 ± 0.6

37.0 ± 6.2

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

7

13.5 ± 0.5

33.1 ± 6.8

–

NR

2 (best)

Chalk

–

–

–

 

Academy

Backs

10

13.7 ± 0.4

38.5 ± 8.1

–

      

Till et al. [51]

Academy

All

209

13.6 ± 0.3

37.9 ± 5.2

5.2 ± 0.7

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

Till et al. [45]

Eliteb

All

255

13.6 ± 0.3

38.2 ± 5.1

5.1 ± 0.7

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Elitec

All

130

13.7 ± 0.2

39.6 ± 5.0

5.4 ± 0.6

      

Till et al. [8]

Amateur

All

249

13.6 ± 0.6

39.2 ± 4.9

5.7 ± 0.9

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

261

13.6 ± 0.6

39.9 ± 5.6

5.7 ± 0.9

      
 

Elite

All

70

13.8 ± 0.7

41.2 ± 7.2

5.8 ± 1.0

      

Till et al. [50]

Amateur

All

NR

13.6 ± 0.2

37.5 ± 4.5

5.4 ± 0.8

No

3 (NR)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

 

13.7 ± 0.1

38.6 ± 4.7

5.4 ± 0.5

      
 

Elite

All

 

13.4 ± 0.3

38.7 ± 4.3

5.3 ± 0.8

      

Till et al. [102]

Academy

All

NR

13.6 ± 0.2

38.9 ± 5.0

5.4 ± 0.6

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

  

Outside backs

NR

13.7 ± 0.2

42.4 ± 4.8

5.4 ± 0.5

      
  

Pivots

NR

13.5 ± 0.3

38.4 ± 4.5

5.0 ± 0.6

      
  

Props

NR

13.6 ± 0.2

35.9 ± 4.1

5.6 ± 0.8

      
  

Backs

NR

13.7 ± 0.2

37.2 ± 4.0

5.6 ± 0.5

      

Till et al. [39]

Amateur

All

50

13.6 ± 0.3

41.4 ± 4.8

5.6 ± 1.1

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

32

13.6 ± 0.2

40.9 ± 6.2

5.7 ± 1.2

      
 

Elite

All

13

13.6 ± 0.3

42.8 ± 7.9

5.7 ± 0.9

      

Till et al. [95]

Academy

All

NR

13.8 ± 0.1

39.4 ± 5.3

5.4 ± 0.5

No

NR

NR

Seated

2 kg

NR

14 years of age

Gabbett et al. [47]

Academy

All

14

14.1 ± 0.2

41.5 ± 1.4

–

No

NR

Yardstick

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

11

14.5 ± 0.5

34.7 ± 8.2

–

NR

2 (best)

Chalk

–

–

–

 

Academy

Backs

12

14.6 ± 0.5

37.1 ± 4.4

–

      

Gabbett et al. [24]

Academy

All

23

14.5 ± 0.5

35.9 ± 6.8

–

Yes

2 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

36

14.3 ± 0.9

50.0 ± 5.6

–

      

Till et al. [51]f

Academy

All

227, 226

14.6 ± 0.3

40.8 ± 5.0

5.8 ± 0.6

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

Till et al. [45]

Eliteb

All

309

14.6 ± 0.3

40.3 ± 5.3

5.8 ± 0.7

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Elitec

All

86

14.6 ± 0.3

41.9 ± 5.1

6.0 ± 0.5

      

Till et al. [102]

Academy

All

NR

14.6 ± 0.2

41.3 ± 4.4

5.9 ± 0.5

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

  

Outside backs

NR

14.7 ± 0.2

43.8 ± 3.7

5.9 ± 0.5

      
  

Pivots

NR

14.5 ± 0.3

40.0 ± 5.4

5.6 ± 0.6

      
  

Props

NR

14.6 ± 0.2

39.1 ± 4.0

6.1 ± 0.6

      
  

Backs

NR

14.7 ± 0.2

41.1 ± 3.4

6.2 ± 0.4

      

Till et al. [39]

Amateur

All

92

14.6 ± 0.3

39.0 ± 4.8

5.8 ± 0.8

No

3 (best)

Tekai

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

85

14.6 ± 0.3

40.5 ± 5.1

5.8 ± 0.8

      
 

Elite

All

18

14.5 ± 0.3

39.6 ± 6.6

5.0 ± 1.7

      

Till et al. [50]

Amateur

All

NR

14.6 ± 0.2

39.3 ± 3.3

5.8 ± 0.8

No

3 (NR)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

 

14.7 ± 0.1

42.2 ± 4.2

5.9 ± 0.4

      
 

Elite

All

 

14.4 ± 0.3

41.3 ± 3.9

6.0 ± 0.6

      

Till et al. [95]

Academy

All

NR

14.8 ± 0.1

41.8 ± 4.3

6.0 ± 0.5

No

NR

NR

Seated

2 kg

NR

Till et al. [59]

Academy

All

31

NRg

38.9 ± 6.4

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

15 years of age

Waldron et al. [46]

Academy

All

13

15.1 ± 0.8

47.0 ± 3.0

–

NR

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

 

Dobbin et al. [66]

Academy

All

235

15.1 ± 0.7

33.3 ± 6.8

6.3 ± 0.9

No

2 (best)

Just Jump Mat

Squatted

4 kg

2 (best)

 

Academy

Wingers

 

15.1 ± 0.8

33.3 ± 6.7

6.4 ± 0.7

     

–

 

Academy

Centres

 

15.1 ± 0.8

34.1 ± 6.8

6.1 ± 1.2

      
 

Academy

Halves

 

15.1 ± 0.9

34.0 ± 6.4

5.9 ± 0.8

      
 

Academy

Hookers

 

15.1 ± 0.1

34.6 ± 6.5

6.0 ± 0.8

      
 

Academy

Props

 

15.1 ± 0.1

30.1 ± 7.3

6.8 ± 0.8

      
 

Academy

Back rowers

 

15.1 ± 0.1

33.7 ± 6.9

6.4 ± 0.6

      

Gabbett et al. [48]

Academy

All

20

15.1 ± 0.6

45.0 ± 6.6

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

 

Waldron et al. [52]

Academy

All

21

15.1 ± 0.3

45.5 ± 4.2

 

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

   

Gabbett et al. [1] a

Academy

Forwards

12

15.4 ± 0.9

38.0 ± 5.7

–

NR

2 (best)

Chalk

–

–

 
 

Academy

Backs

9

15.6 ± 0.5

41.2 ± 4.6

–

      

Tredrea et al. [60]

Academy

All

49

15.5 ± 0.6

49.3 ± 6.6

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

51

15.5 ± 0.5

51.0 ± 5.6

–

      

Till et al. [51]

Academy

All

207

15.5 ± 0.3

42.5 ± 5.3

6.5 ± 0.7

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

Till et al. [102]

Academy

All

NR

15.6 ± 0.2

43.4 ± 5.1

6.5 ± 0.6

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

  

Outside backs

NR

15.7 ± 0.2

46.1 ± 4.3

6.3 ± 0.6

–

–

–

–

  
  

Pivots

NR

15.5 ± 0.3

42.3 ± 5.7

6.2 ± 0.6

–

–

–

–

  
  

Props

NR

15.6 ± 0.2

40.3 ± 4.0

6.7 ± 0.7

–

–

–

–

  
  

Backs

NR

15.7 ± 0.2

43.7 ± 4.8

6.8 ± 0.4

–

–

–

–

  

Gabbett et al. [24]

Academy

All

28

15.6 ± 0.6

40.3 ± 8.5

–

Yes

2 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

21

15.8 ± 0.3

53.1 ± 7.9

–

      

Till et al. [50]

Amateur

All

NR

15.6 ± 0.2

41.3 ± 3.9

6.4 ± 0.9

No

3 (NR)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

 

15.7 ± 0.1

43.5 ± 4.9

6.5 ± 0.5

–

–

    
 

Elite

All

 

15.4 ± 0.3

43.9 ± 5.4

6.7 ± 0.5

–

–

    

Gabbett et al. [14]

Academy

All

36

15.6 ± 0.6

46.9 ± 6.8

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

 
 

Academy

Hit-up forwards

15.8 ± 0.7

39.7 ± 2.9

–

–

–

   

–

 
 

Academy

Adjustables

 

15.7 ± 0.4

48.8 ± 6.1

–

–

–

   

–

 

Academy

Outside backs

16.1 ± 0.7

50.0 ± 5.8

–

–

–

     
 

Elite

All

28

16.0 ± 0.2

51.6 ± 7.7

–

–

–

    
 

Elite

Hit-up forwards

15.9 ± 0.4

48.6 ± 5.1

–

–

–

     
 

Elite

Adjustables

 

16.0 ± 0.2

51.5 ± 8.5

–

–

–

    
 

Elite

Outside backs

16.0 ± 0.2

54.6 ± 8.5

–

–

–

     

Till et al. [45]

Eliteb

All

309

15.6 ± 0.3

42.5 ± 5.4

6.4 ± 0.7

No

3 (best)

Tekei

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Elitec

All

86

15.6 ± 0.3

43.5 ± 5.0

6.5 ± 0.6

      

Till et al. [39]

Amateur

All

107

15.6 ± 0.3

38.8 ± 4.8

5.8 ± 0.8

No

3 (best)

Tekai

Seated

2 kg

3 (best)

 

Academy

All

144

15.6 ± 0.3

39.6 ± 5.5

5.7 ± 0.8

      
 

Elite

All

39

15.5 ± 0.3

41.3 ± 7.1

5.9 ± 1.0

      

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

35

15.7 ± 0.2

45.8 ± 5.5

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

 

Till et al. [95]

Academy

All

NR

15.8 ± 0.1

43.8 ± 5.2

6.5 ± 0.5

No

NR

NR

Seated

2 kg

NR

Gabbett et al. [38]

Academy

All

13

15.9 ± 0.6

46.7 ± 7.0

 

Yes

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

67

NRh

45.7 ± 5.2

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

  

Forwards

37

NRh

43.8 ± 5.0

–

   

–

–

–

  

Backs

30

NRh

45.7 ± 5.2

–

     

–

Till et al. [59]

Academy

All

75

NRh

44.2 ± 5.7

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

16 years of age

Gabbett et al. [38]

Academy

All

28

16.0 ± 0.2

51.6 ± 7.7

 

Yes

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Waldron et al. [52]

Academy

All

21

16.2 ± 0.3

45.6 ± 5.8

 

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Waldron et al. [46]

Academy

All

13

16.2 ± 0.3

47.3 ± 4.9

–

NR

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [48]

Academy

All

15

16.5 ± 0.3

47.3 ± 7.8

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Coutts et al. [64]

Academy

All

21

16.6 ± 1.2

50.3 ± 6.9

 

Yes

3 (best)

Yardstick

   
 

Academy

All

21

16.8 ± 1.0

51.1 ± 6.6

       

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

44

16.7 ± 0.2

48.7 ± 2.8

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [47]

Academy

All

21

16.9 ± 0.3

45.8 ± 1.4

–

No

NR

Yardstick

–

–

–

Gabbet et al. [49]

Academy

All

36

16.9 ± 0.6

54.4 ± 7.1

 

Yes

2 (best)

Yardstick

   

Gabbett et al. [24]

Academy

All

25

16.9 ± 0.3

42.3 ± 9.3

–

Yes

2 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

18

16.8 ± 0.3

58.9 ± 7.7

       

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

50

NRi

49.1 ± 5.8

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

  

Forwards

27

NRi

48.0 ± 5.6

–

      
  

Backs

23

NRi

50.5 ± 6.0

–

      

Till et al. [103]

Academy

All

37

NRi

48.8 ± 6.1

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

13

NRi

49.5 ± 4.9

–

      

17 years of age

Waldron et al. [52]

Academy

All

15

17.0 ± 0.4

47.0 ± 5.5

 

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

   

Waldron et al. [46]

Academy

All

13

17.0 ± 0.3

47.6 ± 5.5

–

NR

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Dobbin et al. [62]

Academy

All

50

17.1 ± 1.1

34.8 ± 4.8

6.4 ± 0.8

No

2 (best)

Just Jump Mat

Squatted

4 kg

2 (best)

Pearce et al. [72]

Academy

All

52

17.2 ± 0.5

58.5 ± 6.1

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Dobbin et al. [42]

Academy

All

16

17.2 ± 0.7

34.7 ± 5.9

6.8 ± 0.8

No

2 (best)

Just Jump Mat

Squatted

4 kg

2 (best)

Till et al. [97]

Academy

All

61

17.3 ± 0.7

48.3 ± 3.0

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Tredrea et al. [60]

Academy

All

41

17.4 ± 0.7

55.1 ± 6.2

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

10

17.0 ± 0.7

55.7 ± 6.4

–

      

Dobbin et al. [65]

Academy

All

197

17.4 ± 0.4

37.2 ± 5.2

7.1 ± 0.7

NR

NR

Just Jump Mat

Squated

4 kg

2 (best)

  

Back Row

 

17.5 ± 0.8

39.1 ± 6.9

7.3 ± 0.5

      
  

Centre

 

17.2 ± 0.9

37.4 ± 5.1

7.3 ± 0.8

      
  

Forward

 

17.3 ± 0.5

38.1 ± 6.2

7.4 ± 0.5

      
  

Full back

 

17.4 ± 0.9

43.1 ± 6.7

6.9 ± 0.9

      
  

Half Back

 

17.3 ± 1.1

39.6 ± 4.3

6.7 ± 0.7

      
  

Hooker

 

17.2 ± 1.2

35.1 ± 5.0

6.5 ± 0.6

      
  

Loose Forward

17.5 ± 0.8

35.1 ± 4.4

7.5 ± 0.7

       
  

Prop

 

17.2 ± 0.9

34.5 ± 4.4

7.4 ± 0.8

      
  

Scrum Half

 

17.3 ± 1.4

33.3 ± 3.5

6.0 ± 0.7

      
  

Second Row

 

17.9 ± 1.4

37.6 ± 3.5

7.3 ± 0.7

      
  

Stand-Off

 

18.0 ± 0.6

30.9 ± 6.3

7.3 ± 1.0

      
  

Winger

 

17.4 ± 1.1

42.5 ± 6.4

7.6 ± 0.9

      

Dobbin et al. [66]

Elite

All

365

17.5 ± 2.0

38.1 ± 6.3

7.1 ± 0.8

No

2 (best)

Just Jump Mat

Squatted

4 kg

2 (best)

 

Elite

Wingers

 

17.5 ± 2.0

41.9 ± 7.3

7.2 ± 0.9

      
 

Elite

Centres

 

17.5 ± 2.0

39.8 ± 5.8

7.3 ± 0.8

      
 

Elite

Halves

 

17.5 ± 2.1

38.3 ± 6.0

6.8 ± 0.8

      
 

Elite

Hookers

 

17.5 ± 2.2

38.7 ± 5.3

6.8 ± 0.8

      
 

Elite

Props

 

17.5 ± 2.3

34.2 ± 5.0

7.2 ± 0.8

      
 

Elite

Back rowers

 

17.5 ± 2.4

37.2 ± 5.3

7.3 ± 0.7

      

Gabbett et al. [22]a

Academy

Props

37

17.6 ± 2.4

44.0 ± 7.2

–

No

2 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

 

Academy

Hookers

31

17.3 ± 1.1

47.9 ± 11.3

–

      
 

Academy

Back rowers

36

17.2 ± 1.8

49.0 ± 10.5

–

      
 

Academy

Lockse

11

16.5 ± 1.5

45.2 ± 9.8

–

      
 

Academy

Halvese

27

16.7 ± 1.5

50.4 ± 11.6

–

      
 

Academy

Five eighthse

11

16.7 ± 1.6

48.5 ± 8.2

–

      
 

Academy

Centres

27

17.0 ± 2.3

50.4 ± 8.9

–

      
 

Academy

Wingers

39

17.7 ± 2.2

45.4 ± 8.6

–

      
 

Academy

Fullbacks

21

17.4 ± 2.0

42.8 ± 10.0

–

      

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

34

17.7 ± 0.3

51.2 ± 5.5

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Gabbett et al. [1]a

Academy

Forwards

10

17.8 ± 0.8

37.9 ± 6.7

–

NR

2 (best)

Chalk

–

–

–

 

Academy

Backs

12

17.3 ± 0.8

40.0 ± 7.7

–

      

Gabbett et al. [23]a

Academy

All

36

17.9 ± 0.4

54.8 ± 14.7

–

NR

2 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

56

NRj

50.6 ± 5.7

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

  

Forwards

32

NRj

49.1 ± 5.2

       
  

Backs

24

NRj

52.6 ± 5.7

–

      

Till et al. [103]

Academy

All

41

NRi

50.2 ± 5.8

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

19

NRi

51.8 ± 5.2

–

      

Till et al. [59]

Academy

All

64

NRj

48.1 ± 5.6

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

18 years of age

Till et al. [61]

Academy

All

16

18.7 ± 0.2

50.3 ± 4.1

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

Kirkpatrick et al. [13]

Elite

Forwards

12

18.8 ± 1.1

50.6 ± 7.1

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

   
  

Backs

12

18.7 ± 0.8

50.6 ± 5.0

–

      

Pearce et al. [72]

Academy

All

53

18.9 ± 0.6

58.0 ± 7.3

–

NR

3 (best)

Yardstick

–

–

–

Till et al. [96]

Academy

All

45

 

52.5 ± 5.5

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

  

Forwards

24

NRk

51.2 ± 4.4

–

      
  

Backs

21

NRk

54.0 ± 6.2

–

      

Till et al. [103]

Academy

All

30

NRk

51.5 ± 5.2

–

No

3 (best)

Just Jump Mat

–

–

–

 

Elite

All

19

NRk

53.3 ± 5.6

–

      
  1. NR not reported, – not tested, All players combined across all positions, RM repeated measurement (2 or 3 trials)
  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 used in this review but as ‘regional’ by the authors
  4. cPlayers classified as elite by definition used in this review but as ‘national’ by the authors
  5. dTotal sample size (all positions combined) was reported rather than independently for each position
  6. eSample age reported across multiple years, and across various playing positions (data allocated according to weighted mean age)
  7. fSample size for each test varied so data are reported separately for CMJ (n = 227) and MBT (n = 226)
  8. gAge provided categorically as under 14 years instead of being reported as mean ± standard deviation
  9. hAge provided categorically as under 15 years instead of being reported as mean ± standard deviation
  10. iAge provided categorically as under 16 years instead of being reported as mean ± standard deviation
  11. jAge provided categorically as under 17 years instead of being reported as mean ± standard deviation
  12. kAge provided categorically as under 18 years instead of being reported as mean ± standard deviation
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