Antropometriese, fisieke, motoriese en vaardigheidseienskappe van senior sekondêre skoolrugbyspelers in die Noordwesprovinsie

Abstract

Sport participation has and still plays an important role in many countries around the world (Van der Merwe, 1997). It can be regarded as one of the major international "trades" among these countries. The importance and popularity of sport in South Africa can easily be judged by the media coverage of the numerous national and international competitions that are taking place throughout the year (Sport Information and Science Agency (SISA), 1995). According to SISA ( 1995), rugby can be regarded as one of South Africa's priority sports. Along with this is the growing demand in sport specific performance capability (St.Aubin and Sydney, 1996). Various studies have been conducted on the identification of young talented players for rugby (Spamer and Pienaar, 1995; Hare, 1997; Van der Merwe, 1997). There is, however, a lack of scientific evidence that can indicate which anthropometric, physical and rugby skills-related parameters are associated with performance capabilities of senior secondary school rugby players. It is also important to determine which anthropometrical, physical and rugby skills-related attributes should be considered when selecting young potentially talented rugby players for provincial secondary school teams. The main aims of this study were to determine which anthropometrical, physical and rugby-specific ski ll differences may occur, between; (a) U/17 and U/19 rugby players. (b) Between players from the formally disadvantaged communities of South Africa to those not from disadvantage communities in both the above age groups.

(c) Between the different positional groups of play (i.e. tight forwards, loose forwards and backs). The participants in this study were selected U/17 (n=120) and U/19 (n=120) rugby players from three regions (Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom and Rustenburg) in the North West province. Forty players from each age group were selected by the provincial schools' rugby selectors in each region, using their playing abilities and/or rugby potential as criteria. Twenty of the players in each group were from the disadvantaged communities. Of the 240 selected rugby players 189 (n=l 12 U/19 and n=77 U/17) were eventually subjected to a comprehensive rugby specific test battery that was compiled for this study. The tests used for this study consisted of 19 anthropometrical, physical, motorical and rugby skills-related parameters. The results were analyzed statistically to determine the statistical significance of the differences that exist between the above-mentioned groups and if these differences were practically significant. To determine the practical significance of the differences between the various groups, Cohen's effect size formula was used (Cohen, 1977). An independent T-test was used to determine what the statistical differences were between two groups (i.e. U/17 and U/ 19). To determine the differences between more than two groups, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done. To further determine where these differences occur, a Tukey-test was done. The results revealed that there are differences in the anthropometrical, physical and rugby skills-related parameters between the different groups that were mentioned, and this may have a positive influence on the identification of performance capabilities of these rugby players. It is recommended that the needs of the game should be further investigated, and that these needs should be met through the scientific education and implementing of scientifically developed training programs at an early age. A sport scientist should carefully monitor these programs. Implementation of such programs can play a significant role in the preparation of senior secondary school rugby players.