Carron Michael A, Scanlan Aaron T, Doering Thomas M
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia.
Health, Education, Lifestyle, and Performance (HELP) Laboratory, St Brendan's College, Yeppoon, QLD 4703, Australia.
Sports (Basel). 2025 Jun 24;13(7):204. doi: 10.3390/sports13070204.
Tests assessing physical qualities are regularly used in youth rugby league teams for various functions. However, the utility of such tests is under-explored in this population. In this way, tests are commonly examined in terms of how well they can differentiate performances between groups that are expected to differ and how they relate to outcomes in actual competitive contexts. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the discriminative validity and relationships to match performance metrics of frequently used tests to assess physical qualities in male, adolescent rugby league players. Anthropometric (standing height and body mass) and fitness-related (20 m linear sprint, 505-Agility Test, L-run Test, medicine ball throw, countermovement jump, one-repetition maximum back squat, bench press, and prone row tests, and Multistage Fitness Test) physical qualities were measured using common tests in 42 players (16.1 ± 1.3 years). Test outcomes were compared between players in different age and positional groups for discriminative validity analyses. Relationships between test outcomes and match performance metrics gathered via global positioning system and video analysis were also determined. Compared to younger players (14-15 years), older players (16-18 years) had significantly better fitness-related physical qualities ( < 0.05, = -1.78-1.66), but similar anthropometric qualities ( > 0.05, = -0.45-0.20). Significant, correlations ( < 0.05, = 0.56-0.70) were found between (1) one-repetition maximum (1-RM) back squat and relative (per min) high-speed running distance and maximum velocity in matches; (2) 20-m sprint time and relative total distance; (3) 505-Agility Test time and relative line breaks; and (4) height and relative unsuccessful tackles. Consequently, commonly used fitness-related tests demonstrate discriminative validity in detecting differences between age groups, with standing height and the 1-RM back squat showing promising utility given their associations with key match metrics in adolescent rugby league players.
评估身体素质的测试经常在青少年橄榄球联盟球队中用于各种目的。然而，这类测试在该人群中的效用尚未得到充分探索。通过这种方式，测试通常根据它们区分预期不同群体表现的能力以及它们与实际竞争环境中的结果的关系来进行考察。因此，这项探索性研究的目的是调查常用测试在评估男性青少年橄榄球联盟球员身体素质方面的区分效度以及与比赛表现指标的关系。对42名球员（16.1±1.3岁）使用常见测试测量了人体测量学指标（身高和体重）以及与体能相关的指标（20米直线冲刺、505敏捷性测试、L型跑测试、药球投掷、反向移动跳跃、一次重复最大重量后蹲、卧推、俯卧划船测试以及多级体能测试）。为了进行区分效度分析，比较了不同年龄和位置组球员的测试结果。还确定了测试结果与通过全球定位系统和视频分析收集的比赛表现指标之间的关系。与年轻球员（14 - 15岁）相比，年长球员（16 - 18岁）的体能相关身体素质明显更好（<0.05，=-1.78 - 1.66），但人体测量学指标相似（>0.05，=-0.45 - 0.20）。在以下方面发现了显著的相关性（<0.05，=0.56 - 0.70）：（1）一次重复最大重量（1-RM）后蹲与比赛中的相对（每分钟）高速奔跑距离和最大速度；（2）20米冲刺时间与相对总距离；（3）505敏捷性测试时间与相对突破次数；（4）身高与相对不成功的擒抱次数。因此，常用的体能相关测试在检测年龄组之间的差异方面显示出区分效度，鉴于身高和1-RM后蹲与青少年橄榄球联盟球员的关键比赛指标相关联，它们显示出有前景的效用。
