PD031 - POSITION-SPECIFIC VALIDITY OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES FOR BODY COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT IN UNDER-18 NATIONAL-LEVEL RUGBY PLAYERS

PD031

POSITION-SPECIFIC VALIDITY OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES FOR BODY COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT IN UNDER-18 NATIONAL-LEVEL RUGBY PLAYERS

L. Uyanege^1,*, H. Amarathunga¹, L. Maddumabandara²

¹University of Colombo, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Colombo, ²Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Rationale: Field-based anthropometric measures are widely used in nutritional assessment; however, their validity may vary by playing position due to differences in body composition in rugby athletes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among under-18 national-level school rugby players. Skinfold thickness (SFT), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and calf circumference were measured using standardized techniques. Body composition parameters, including visceral fat percentage and arm muscle mass, were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Hand grip strength was measured using a dynamometer. Players were stratified into forwards and backs. Associations were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients (r), with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Among forwards (n=19), SFT demonstrated a strong positive correlation with visceral fat percentage (r=0.75, p<0.001), compared to a moderate correlation in backs (n=41, r=0.52, p<0.01). MUAC showed a strong negative correlation with arm muscle mass in forwards (r=-0.73, p<0.001), but no significant association in backs (r=-0.01, p=NS). Calf circumference demonstrated weak correlations with hand grip strength in both forwards (r=0.25, p=NS) and backs (r=0.26, p=NS).

Conclusion: The validity of anthropometric indicators varies by playing position in adolescent rugby players. SFT is a reliable surrogate for adiposity, particularly in forwards. MUAC may misrepresent muscle mass in forwards, likely reflecting adiposity rather than lean tissue. Limb circumferences demonstrate limited utility in predicting functional strength. These findings highlight important limitations of field-based anthropometry and support position-specific approaches to nutritional assessment and body composition screening in youth athletes.

Disclosure of Interest: L. Uyanege Consultant for: 1, H. Amarathunga Consultant for: 1, L. Maddumabandara Consultant for: 1