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. 2023 Nov 10;9:106. doi: 10.1186/s40798-023-00650-z

Table 2.

Anthropometric qualites reported in male, adolescent rugby league players according to age group, playing level, and playing position

Study Playing level Position Sample size (n) Age (years) Height (cm) Seated height (cm) Body mass (kg) Sum of skinfolds (mm) Equipment
Stature Body mass Skinfolds
12 years of age
Gabbett et al. [1]a Academy Forwards 13 12.5 ± 0.5 – – 57.0 ± 13.2 – – Electronic Scales –
Backs 14 12.3 ± 0.5 – – 44.8 ± 5.7 –
13 years of age
Gabbett et al. [48] Academy All 53 13.2 ± 0.6 161.5 ± 10.0 54.0 ± 15.0 Σ4: 34.2 ± 15.8 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Gabbett et al. [1]a Academy Forwards 7 13.5 ± 0.5 – – 67.7 ± 11.0 – – Electronic Scales –
Backs 10 13.7 ± 0.4 – – 52.1 ± 6.6 –
Till et al. [51] Academy All 221 13.6 ± 0.3 169.6 ± 7.7 – 62.2 ± 10.4 Σ4: 36.6 ± 14.9 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Till et al. [95] Academy All NR 13.8 ± 0.1 172.8 ± 6.4 87.0 ± 3.7 65.1 ± 9.6 Σ4: 36.9 ± 17.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Till et al. [45] Eliteb NR 255 13.6 ± 0.3 169.6 ± 8.4 – 62.4 ± 11.4 Σ4: 38.6 ± 16.4 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Elitec 130 13.7 ± 0.2 171.0 ± 7.1 – 63.7 ± 9.0 Σ4: 34.9 ± 12.3
Till et al. [8] Amateur All 249 13.6 ± 0.6 174.2 ± 7.1 88.9 ± 4.0 70.7 ± 13.5 Σ4: 41.6 ± 18.2 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All 261 13.6 ± 0.6 175.2 ± 6.8 89.1 ± 4.0 70.9 ± 11.1 Σ4: 38.4 ± 15.5
Elite All 70 13.8 ± 0.7 174.1 ± 9.7 87.8 ± 5.8 67.1 ± 12.8 Σ4: 33.4 ± 9.8
Till et al. [50] Amateur All NR 13.6 ± 0.2 171.4 ± 6.7 87.2 ± 4.4 65.4 ± 12.4 Σ4: 41.4 ± 20.3 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All 13.7 ± 0.1 170.5 ± 4.6 86.6 ± 3.5 62.6 ± 7.6 Σ4: 35.8 ± 14.8
Elite All 13.4 ± 0.3 170.6 ± 7.9 85.6 ± 4.2 63.0 ± 11.4 Σ4: 33.4 ± 13.7
Till et al. [102] Academy All NR 13.6 ± 0.2 171.2 ± 7.0 86.4 ± 4.1 63.9 ± 9.8 Σ4: 36.2 ± 15.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Outside backs NR 13.7 ± 0.2 171.5 ± 6.8 86.2 ± 4.0 60.3 ± 4.0 Σ4: 26.9 ± 5.8
Pivots NR 13.5 ± 0.3 165.0 ± 5.6 83.7 ± 4.3 55.5 ± 7.1 Σ4: 31.9 ± 11.0
Props NR 13.6 ± 0.2 174.0 ± 7.5 87.8 ± 4.0 75.0 ± 8.8 Σ4: 52.3 ± 18.6
Backs NR 13.7 ± 0.2 174.2 ± 4.6 87.8 ± 3.1 67.2 ± 6.7 Σ4: 39.0 ± 12.1
Till et al. [39] Amateur All 50 13.6 ± 0.3 169.0 ± 7.5 85.8 ± 4.1 61.2 ± 11.6 Σ4: 36.9 ± 17.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All 32 13.6 ± 0.2 170.5 ± 5.9 86.6 ± 4.2 61.5 ± 7.7 Σ4: 33.3 ± 13.2
Elite All 13 13.6 ± 0.3 166.8 ± 10.4 83.5 ± 5.5 57.2 ± 12.2 Σ4: 32.0 ± 6.8
14 years of age
Gabbett et al. [47] Academy All 14 14.1 ± 0.2 169.5 ± 2.1 65.9 ± 2.7 Σ7: 73.3 ± 8.4 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Gabbett et al. [1]a Academy Forwards 11 14.5 ± 0.5 – – 76.5 ± 9.7 – – Electronic Scales –
Backs 12 14.6 ± 0.5 – – 62.1 ± 6.9 –
Gabbett et al. [24] Academy All 23 14.5 ± 0.5 173.0 ± 9.3 – 69.0 ± 11.2 – NR NR –
Elite All 36 14.3 ± 0.9 173.0 ± 8.9 – 73.9 ± 16.2 –
Alonso-Aubin et al. [84] Amateur All 46 14.5 ± 1.3 165.0 ± 0.1 – 58.1 ± 13.0 –
Till et al. [51] Academy All 240 14.6 ± 0.3 174.7 ± 6.4 – 70.0 ± 11.1 Σ4: 39.1 ± 16.8 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Till et al. [45] Eliteb All 309 14.6 ± 0.3 175.0 ± 6.5 – 70.2 ± 10.8 Σ4: 40.1 ± 17.1 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Elitec All 86 14.6 ± 0.3 175.3 ± 6.5 – 71.1 ± 9.3 Σ4: 35.8 ± 12.2
Till et al. [50] Amateur All NR 14.6 ± 0.2 175.0 ± 6.1 89.2 ± 4.5 70.1 ± 12.3 Σ4: 44.5 ± 17.4 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All NR 14.7 ± 0.1 174.7 ± 4.7 89.3 ± 2.8 69.5 ± 9.0 Σ4: 35.4 ± 16.2
Elite All NR 14.4 ± 0.3 176.6 ± 5.8 89.3 ± 3.2 71.6 ± 10.6 Σ4: 37.4 ± 14.3
Till et al. [102] Academy All NR 14.6 ± 0.2 175.7 ± 6.2 89.3 ± 3.4 71.1 ± 9.6 Σ4: 39.3 ± 15.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Outside backs NR 14.7 ± 0.2 175.7 ± 6.4 89.0 ± 3.3 67.9 ± 5.3 Σ4: 32.2 ± 10.7
Pivots NR 14.5 ± 0.3 171.1 ± 4.6 87.4 ± 3.2 63.2 ± 7.9 Σ4: 34.4 ± 13.9
Props NR 14.6 ± 0.2 178.1 ± 6.9 90.4 ± 3.5 81.5 ± 8.6 Σ4: 53.2 ± 13.6
Backs NR 14.7 ± 0.2 178.3 ± 4.0 90.7 ± 2.6 74.3 ± 7.4 Σ4: 41.5 ± 14.3
Till et al. [39] Amateur All 92 14.6 ± 0.3 174.9 ± 6.2 89.0 ± 3.3 71.1 ± 11.8 Σ4: 41.2 ± 18.7 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All 85 14.6 ± 0.3 174.8 ± 6.3 88.6 ± 3.7 70.0 ± 10.7 Σ4: 37.4 ± 13.8
Elite All 18 14.5 ± 0.3 171.9 ± 9.0 86.0 ± 5.4 61.7 ± 9.2 Σ4: 28.5 ± 9.2
Till et al. [59] Academy All 31 NR – – 55.0 ± 12.3 Σ4: 32.1 ± 8.6 – Electronic Scales Harpenden
Till et al. [95] Academy All NR 14.8 ± 0.1 176.8 ± 6.1 89.7 ± 3.3 71.8 ± 9.2 Σ4: 38.9 ± 15.3 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
15 years of age
Dobbin et al. [66] Academy All 235 15.1 ± 0.8 172.6 ± 6.9 – 73.6 ± 10.6 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Wingers – 15.1 ± 0.8 174.6 ± 5.9 – 69.3 ± 9.7 –
Centre – 15.1 ± 0.8 177.1 ± 5.2 – 72.6 ± 7.5 –
Halves – 15.1 ± 0.9 172.9 ± 8.4 – 66.4 ± 8.1 –
Hookers – 15.1 ± 0.1 171.6 ± 7.2 – 68.7 ± 10.5 –
Props – 15.1 ± 0.1 178.4 ± 5.1 – 85.3 ± 9.4 –
Back row – 15.1 ± 0.1 179.2 ± 6.2 – 77.3 ± 8.3 –
Waldron et al. [52] Academy All 21 15.1 ± 0.3 178.6 ± 3.9 – 79.6 ± 9.1 – NR NR
Gabbett et al. [48] Academy All 20 15.1 ± 0.6 171.6 ± 6.6 – 67.0 ± 17.7 Σ4: 31.1 ± 17.3 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Waldron et al. [46] Academy All 13 15.1 ± 0.3 – 93.4 ± 2.3 81.9 ± 9.1 – – Electronic Scales –
Fernandes et al. [86] Academy All 16 15.4 ± 0.5 – – 79.7 ± 10.8 – – Electronic Scales –
Gabbett et al. [1]a Academy Forwards 12 15.4 ± 0.9 – – 75.5 ± 10.4 – – Electronic Scales –
Backs 9 15.4 ± 0.5 – – 64.8 ± 16.0 – – – –
Till et al. [51] Academy All 220 15.5 ± 0.3 177.8 ± 6.3 – 75.9 ± 10.4 Σ4: 41.2 ± 16.2 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Tredrea et al. [60] Academy All 49 15.5 ± 0.6 175.5 ± 6.7 89.9 ± 2.3 74.4 ± 13.4 Σ7: 76.9 ± 36.9 Stadiometer Electronic scales NR
Elite All 51 15.5 ± 0.5 177.1 ± 6.4 90.2 ± 2.5 77.3 ± 11.0 Σ7: 70.7 ± 6.4 – – –
Baker et al. [105] Academy All 13 15.5 ± 0.5 178.0 ± 4.4 – 83.2 ± 9.8 – NR NR –
Till et al. [39] Amateur All 107 15.6 ± 0.3 177.1 ± 6.4 90.9 ± 3.6 76.1 ± 12.4 Σ4: 43.5 ± 17.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All 144 15.6 ± 0.3 177.7 ± 6.3 90.7 ± 3.6 75.3 ± 10.4 Σ4: 40.4 ± 16.4 – – –
Elite All 39 15.5 ± 0.3 179.5 ± 5.8 91.4 ± 3.3 76.2 ± 8.5 Σ4: 37.3 ± 10.8 – – –
Till et al. [102] Academy All NR 15.6 ± 0.2 178.6 ± 5.7 91.1 ± 3.1 77.6 ± 9.8 Σ4: 42.4 ± 16.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Outside backs NR 15.7 ± 0.2 178.3 ± 6.4 90.8 ± 3.1 73.4 ± 6.3 Σ4: 33.9 ± 8.9
Pivots NR 15.5 ± 0.3 175.0 ± 4.1 89.5 ± 2.9 70.0 ± 6.3 Σ4: 35.6 ± 12.5
Props NR 15.6 ± 0.2 180.2 ± 6.6 91.8 ± 3.6 88.5 ± 9.3 Σ4: 58.8 ± 16.5
Backs NR 15.7 ± 0.2 180.7 ± 4.0 92.3 ± 2.3 80.7 ± 7.3 Σ4: 45.3 ± 14.9
Gabbett et al. [24] Academy All 28 15.6 ± 0.6 176.0 ± 10.4 – 73.0 ± 12.3 – NR NR –
Elite All 21 15.8 ± 0.3 177.0 ± 5.2 – 82.1 ± 10.9 –
Till et al. [50] Amateur All NR 15.6 ± 0.2 178.1 ± 5.0 91.3 ± 4.0 77.4 ± 11.4 Σ4: 46.2 ± 19.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Academy All NR 15.7 ± 0.1 177.3 ± 5.0 91.0 ± 2.7 76.2 ± 10.4 Σ4: 42.3 ± 18.2
Elite All NR 15.4 ± 0.3 179.6 ± 4.2 91.4 ± 2.2 78.7 ± 10.3 Σ4: 36.8 ± 13.3
Till et al. [45] Eliteb All 306 15.6 ± 0.3 177.8 ± 6.3 – 75.8 ± 10.9 Σ4: 41.1 ± 15.8 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Elitec All 86 15.6 ± 0.3 178.3 ± 6.4 – 77.6 ± 9.7 Σ4: 39.9 ± 14.5
Till et al. [61] Academy All 35 15.7 ± 0.2 176.7 ± 5.5 – 76.4 ± 8.4 Σ4: 35.0 ± 10.9 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Till et al. [95] Academy All NR 15.8 ± 0.1 178.8 ± 6.1 91.1 ± 3.0 78.0 ± 10.0 Σ4: 42.7 ± 17.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Gabbett et al. [38] Academy All 13 15.9 ± 0.6 175.2 ± 6.9 – 72.3 ± 11.7 Σ7: 76.4 ± 28.1 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Till et al. [96] Academy All 68 NR 175.7 ± 7.1 – 75.2 ± 11.1 Σ4: 37.2 ± 12.7 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Forwards 37 NR 177.7 ± 5.4 – 80.9 ± 9.7 Σ4: 42.7 ± 14.1
Backs 31 NR 173.1 ± 8.2 – 68.4 ± 8.6 Σ4: 30.4 ± 5.9
Till et al. [59] Academy All 75 NR – – 70.9 ± 11.1 Σ4: 38.2 ± 16.6 – Electronic Scales Harpenden
16 years of age
Gabbett et al. [14] Academy Alld 36 15.9 ± 0.6 176.0 ± 6.0 – 74.3 ± 13.4 Σ7: 75.1 ± 31.9 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Hit up forwardsd 15.8 ± 0.7 176.7 ± 5.3 – 88.9 ± 7.2 Σ7: 113.6 ± 21.9
Adjustablesd 15.7 ± 0.4 174.5 ± 3.3 – 68.0 ± 8.2 Σ7: 60.6 ± 7.9
Outside backs 16.1 ± 0.7 176.4 ± 7.4 – 69.2 ± 12.2 Σ7: 60.8 ± 25.7
Elite All 28 16.0 ± 0.2 178.0 ± 5.9 – 77.5 ± 10.0 Σ7: 67.1 ± 14.8
Hit up forwardsd 15.9 ± 0.4 180.9 ± 6.7 – 87.0 ± 11.1 Σ7: 80.2 ± 12.4
Adjustables 16.0 ± 0.2 175.5 ± 4.9 – 73.0 ± 6.2 Σ7: 59.6 ± 8.1
Outside backs 16.0 ± 0.2 178.8 ± 5.5 – 74.9 ± 7.6 Σ7: 65.4 ± 17.0
Gabbett et al. [38] Elite All 28 16.0 ± 0.2 178.0 ± 5.9 – 77.5 ± 10.0 Σ7: 67.1 ± 14.8 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Waldron et al. [46] Academy All 13 16.2 ± 0.3 – 94.6 ± 1.9 86.1 ± 6.0 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Baker et al. [105] Academy All 11 16.2 ± 1.2 184.0 ± 4.1 – 83.6 ± 7.4 – NR NR –
Waldron et al. [52] Academy All 21 16.2 ± 0.3 179.3 ± 3.8 – 81.4 ± 8.7 – NR NR –
Gabbett et al. [48] Academy All 15 16.5 ± 0.3 177.7 ± 6.2 – 78.5 ± 13.6 Σ4: 38.5 ± 19.1 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Coutts et al. [64] Academy Al 21 16.6 ± 1.2 168.0 ± 6.4 – 74.7 ± 8.6 – Stadiometer Electronic scales –
Academy All 21 16.8 ± 1.0 170.0 ± 5.4 – 77.9 ± 8.7 –
Till et al. [61] Academy All 44 16.7 ± 0.2 178.7 ± 5.5 – 81.8 ± 9.3 Σ4: 37.0 ± 13.2 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Gabbett et al. [47] Academy All 21 16.9 ± 0.3 179.7 ± 1.3 – 80.1 ± 2.3 Σ7: 81.1 ± 5.7 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Gabbet et al. [49] Academy All 36 16.9 ± 0.6 176.3 ± 6.5 – 74.3 ± 16.4 Σ7: 77.2 ± 34.3 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Gabbett et al. [24] Academy All 25 16.9 ± 0.3 177.0 ± 6.1 – 74.0 ± 9.6 – NR NR –
Elite All 18 16.8 ± 0.3 177.0 ± 8.1 – 80.1 ± 11.2 –
Till et al. [96] Academy All 51 NR 177.0 ± 6.0 – 81.1 ± 9.4 Σ4: 36.5 ± 12.8 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Forwards 28 NR 173.4 ± 4.1 – 75.4 ± 7.0 Σ4: 31.4 ± 6.2
Backs 23 NR 180.5 ± 5.5 – 85.7 ± 8.6 Σ4: 40.5 ± 15.1
Till et al. [103] Academy All 37 NR 176.9 ± 5.5 – 79.9 ± 10.3 Σ4: 37.1 ± 14.3 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Elite All 13 NR 181.8 ± 3.1 – 84.5 ± 5.2 Σ4: 34.6 ± 6.9
17 years of age
Waldron et al. [46] Academy All 13 17.0 ± 0.3 – 94.7 ± 2.1 86.3 ± 9.4 – – Electronic Scales
Waldron et al. [52] Academy All 15 17.0 ± 0.4 180.4 ± 4.2 – 86.3 ± 9.7 – NR NR
Fernandes et al. [86] Academy All 23 17.1 ± 1.0 – – 85.9 ± 10.4 Electronic Scales
Baker et al. [105] Academy All 15 17.1 ± 0.6 182.0 ± 5.3 – 85.3 ± 9.6 – NR NR
Dobbin et al. [42] Academy All 16 17.2 ± 0.7 179.9 ± 4.9 – 88.5 ± 10.1 Σ7: 88.1 ± 25.3 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Pearce et al. [72] Academy All 52 17.2 ± 0.5 179.9 ± 7.0 – 83.8 ± 11.2 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Till et al. [97] Academy All 61 17.3 ± 0.7 181.3 ± 6.0 – 83.9 ± 10 Σ4: 39.7 ± 14.7 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Dobbin et al. [62] Academy All 55 17.4 ± 0.5 181.3 ± 6.3 – 89.0 ± 11.6 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Dobbin et al. [104] Academy All 67 17.4 ± 1.0 179.7 ± 6.1 – 85.2 ± 10.7 – NR NR –
Tredrea et al. [60] Academy All 41 17.4 ± 0.7 175.6 ± 5.1 91.2 ± 2.2 82.0 ± 11.9 Σ7: 92.5 ± 44.0 Stadiometer Electronic scales NR
Elite All 19 17.0 ± 0.7 175.7 ± 5.1 91.2 ± 2.4 86.7 ± 12.6 Σ7: 96.1 ± 35.2
Dobbin et al. [65] Academy All 197 17.4 ± 1.0 179.4 ± 5.0 – 85.5 ± 7.4 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Back Row 17.5 ± 0.8 182.1 ± 1.9 – 88.8 ± 4.8 –
Centre 17.2 ± 0.9 180.4 ± 4.9 – 85.0 ± 6.6 –
Forward 17.3 ± 0.5 182.5 ± 5.2 – 95.1 ± 14.7 –
Full back 17.4 ± 0.9 176.6 ± 5.3 – 80.1 ± 8.1 –
Half Back 17.3 ± 1.1 175.0 ± 4.3 – 76.8 ± 6.9 –
Hooker 17.2 ± 1.2 173.2 ± 3.9 – 77.2 ± 9.5 –
Loose Forward 17.5 ± 0.8 179.8 ± 3.8 – 88.4 ± 5.4 –
Prop 17.2 ± 0.9 183.2 ± 5.9 – 99.1 ± 8.6 –
Scrum Half 17.3 ± 1.4 172.7 ± 5.4 – 72.5 ± 5.6 –
Second Row 17.9 ± 1.4 184.9 ± 5.4 – 90.4 ± 5.6 –
Stand-Offd 18.0 ± 0.6 178.0 ± 4.5 – 88.5 ± 5.6 –
Winger 17.4 ± 1.1 183.8 ± 7.5 – 84.6 ± 7.5 –
Dobbin et al. [66] Academy All 365 17.5 ± 2.0 180.7 ± 6.4 – 87.5 ± 11.7 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Winger/Full Back – 180.9 ± 6.5 – 82.2 ± 9.5 – – – –
Centre – 181.4 ± 5.4 – 85.3 ± 6.7 – – – –
Halves – 176.4 ± 5.0 – 78.1 ± 6.8 – – – –
Hooker – 173.8 ± 6.2 – 78.1 ± 8.7 – – – –
Prop – 183.0 ± 6.1 – 99.7 ± 11.7 – – – –
Back Row – 183.0 ± 4.9 – 90.9 ± 8.4 – – – –
Gabbett et al. [22]a Academy Props 37 17.6 ± 2.4 183.9 ± 5.4 – 101.1 ± 11.0 Σ4: 72.0 ± 21.6 Stadiometer Electronic scales Harpenden
Hookers 31 17.3 ± 1.1 171.9 ± 2.9 – 69.9 ± 5.7 Σ4: 35.9 ± 12.5 – – –
Back Row 36 17.2 ± 1.8 176.8 ± 4.3 – 83.6 ± 9.6 Σ4: 39.5 ± 10.1 – – –
Lockd 11 16.5 ± 1.5 176.7 ± 3.6 – 74.8 ± 7.0 Σ4: 33.7 ± 7.2
Halvesd 27 16.7 ± 1.5 170.6 ± 6.5 – 69.1 ± 7.2 Σ4: 40.9 ± 7.2
Five Eighthd 11 16.7 ± 1.6 176.3 ± 2.8 – 72.0 ± 9.8 Σ4: 24.7 ± 1.6
Centre 27 17.0 ± 2.3 176.7 ± 2.9 – 79.6 ± 8.7 Σ4: 34.8 ± 9.9
Winger 39 17.7 ± 2.2 176.4 ± 4.2 – 72.9 ± 8.2 Σ4: 30.7 ± 7.4
Fullback 21 17.4 ± 2.0 177.1 ± 3.5 – 78.8 ± 11.9 Σ4: 36.2 ± 9.2
Nicholson et al. [56] Academy All 20 17.6 ± 0.9 179.9 ± 6.6 – 91.2 ± 11.8 – – – –
Till et al. [61] Academy All 34 17.7 ± 0.3 180.9 ± 5.2 – 87.3 ± 10.4 Σ4: 38.1 ± 13.0 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Darrel-Jones et al. [63] Academy All 14 17.7 ± 0.6 180.9 ± 6.4 – 85.9 ± 9.4 – NR NR –
Gabbett et al. [1]a Academy Forwards 10 17.8 ± 0.8 – – 89.4 ± 15.1 – – – –
Backs 12 17.3 ± 0.8 – – 74.2 ± 10.2 – – – –
Gabbett et al. [23]a Academy All 36 17.9 ± 0.4 177.0 ± 7.4 – 83.3 ± 32.7 Σ7: 93.9 ± 31.8 Stadiometer Electronic scales –
Till et al. [96] Academy All 61 NR 179.5 ± 5.8 – 85.3 ± 10.0 Σ4: 38.1 ± 12.1 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Forwards 28 NR 176.7 ± 5.9 – 78.5 ± 7.6 Σ4: 32.2 ± 7.9 – – –
Backs 33 NR 181.9 ± 4.6 – 90.9 ± 8.1 Σ4: 42.9 ± 12.8 – – –
Till et al. [59] Academy All 64 NR – – 84.1 ± 10.8 Σ4: 41.9 ± 17.6 – Electronic Scales Harpenden
Till et al. [103] Academy All 41 NR 179.0 ± 5.3 – 84.7 ± 10.7 Σ4: 39.0 ± 13.6 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Elite All 19 NR 181.8 ± 5.0 – 87.4 ± 8.9 Σ4: 36.1 ± 7.6
18 years of age
Till et al. [61] Academy All 16 18.7 ± 0.2 180.8 ± 4.8 – 88.4 ± 9.2 Σ4: 37.6 ± 10.3 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Kirkpatrick et al. [13] Elite Forwards 12 18.8 ± 1.1 180.1 ± 11.7 – 90.1 ± 11.7 – NR NR –
Backs 12 18.7 ± 0.8 176.8 ± 6.1 – 82.8 ± 6.3 – – – –
Pearce et al. [72] Academy All 53 18.9 ± 0.6 179.2 ± 6.3 – 85.5 ± 11.1 – Stadiometer Electronic Scales –
Till et al. [96] Academy All 50 NR 180.2 ± 2.7 – 88.0 ± 9.4 Σ4: 37 ± 10.6 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Forwards 22 NR 179.3 ± 5.4 – 81.8 ± 8.0 Σ4: 30.5 ± 6.9
Backs 28 NR 182.7 ± 5.0 – 94.1 ± 7.7 Σ4: 43.5 ± 14.2
Till et al. [103] Academy All 30 NR 180.5 ± 5.3 – 87.5 ± 9.9 Σ4: 38.4 ± 15.6 Stadiometer Electronic Scales Harpenden
Elite All 19 NR 182.3 ± 5.2 – 90.8 ± 9.7 Σ4: 36.9 ± 8.5

NR not reported, – not tested, All players combined across all positions

aReported 95% confidence intervals, which were converted to standard deviation according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0

bPlayers classified as elite by definition and within ‘national’ squads as identified by authors

cPlayers classified as elite by definition and within ‘regional’ squads as identified by authors

dException to age grouping as a subsample of larger study sample within this age category