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A Comparison of Anthropometric Characteristics among Competition Level in Japanese College Rugby Player [Received September 28, 2020; Accepted February 3, 2021] Anthropometric characteristics have been considered as useful indicators for athletic performance in rugby. However, there has been no detailed report on anthropometric characteristics of Japanese college rugby players. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate differences in anthropometric characteristics of college rugby players who participate in different competition levels. A total of 101 players that consist of 49 forwards (FWs: aged 20.4±1.4 years old, 10±3.5 years of participation) and 52 backs (BKs: aged 19.8±1.3 years old, 11.5±4.0 years of participation) from a college rugby team participated the study. Participants were categorized into official competition members (Sr) (19 FWs and 20 BKs) and the rest (Jr) (30 FWs and 32 BKs). Anthropometry using the ISAK protocol (stature, body mass and eight skinfolds) and a body composition assessment using the underwater weighing (UWW) were conducted. Anthropometric indices (sum of upper limb skinfolds [US], sum of trunk region skinfolds[TS], sum of lower limb skinfolds [LS], sum of eight skinfolds [Σ8SF], body mass index [BMI] and lean mass index [LMI] were calculated from anthropometry while a percentage body fat [%FAT] and lean body mass [LBM] were estimated from the UWW. Both FWs and BKs showed significant differences in stature, US, LS, Σ8SF, LMI, and LBM between Sr and Jr players (p<0.05). In addition, JrBKs had significantly (p<0.05) greater %FAT compared with Sr BKs. The present study revealed differences in anthropometric characteristics in college rugby players of different competition levels. Keywords: rugby, anthropometry, body composition, college player |