Table 1 Sample demographics, biological maturation and sport-related information for each group of participants (N = 208)
| U19 Elite | U19 Sub-elite | U19 Non-rugby | All U19 s | U16 Elite | U16 Sub-elite | U16 Non-rugby | All U16 s | P (df = 5) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample size (n) | 41 | 46 | 21 | 108 | 41 | 30 | 29 | 100 | ||
| aAge (yrs) | 17.5 ± 0.85 | 17.4 ± 0.87 | 17.6 ± 0.81 | 17.5 ± 0.85 | 14.9 ± 0.31 | 14.8 ± 0.43 | 14.9 ± 0.28 | 14.9 ± 0.34 | < 0.001† | |
| Age range (yrs) | 15.6–18.9 | 15.7–18.8 | 15.4–18.9 | 15.4–18.9 | 14.4–15.3 | 13.9–15.3 | 14.4–15.3 | 13.9–15.3 | ||
| aYPHV (years) | 1.93 ± 0.53 | 1.64 ± 0.97 | 1.78 ± 0.56 | 1.78 ± 0.76 | 0.64 ± 0.92 | −0.01 ± 0.82 | −0.05 ± 0.61 | 0.24 ± 0.87 | < 0.001†§ | |
| aPlaying exp. (years) | 4.95 ± 0.74 | 4.89 ± 0.67 | 4.74 ± 0.38 | 4.81 ± 0.74 | 2.49 ± 0.51 | 2.23 ± 0.68 | 2.38 ± 0.56 | 2.38 ± 0.58 | < 0.001† | |
| Generic positions | Forwards, n (%) | 21 (51.2) | 23 (50.0) | – | 44 | 20 (48.8) | 16 (53.3) | – | 36 | |
| Backs, n (%) | 20 (48.8) | 23 (50.0) | – | 43 | 21 (51.2) | 14 (46.7) | – | 35 | ||
| Allrounder, n (%) | – | – | 10 (47.6) | – | – | – | 11 (37.9) | – | ||
| Batsman, n (%) | – | – | 6 (28.6) | – | – | – | 11 (37.9) | – | ||
| Bowler, n (%) | – | – | 3 (14.3) | – | – | – | 5 (17.2) | – | ||
| Wicketkeeper, n (%) | – | – | 2 (9.52) | – | – | – | 2 (6.90) | – | ||
| Specific positions | Props | 7 | 6 | – | 13 | 6 | 5 | 11 | ||
| Locks | 5 | 7 | – | 12 | 3 | 4 | – | 7 | ||
| Hookers | 3 | 2 | – | 5 | 3 | 1 | – | 4 | ||
| Flankers | 5 | 5 | – | 10 | 6 | 4 | – | 10 | ||
| Eighth man | 1 | 3 | – | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | 4 | ||
| Scrum half | 4 | 3 | – | 7 | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||
| Fly half | 3 | 3 | – | 6 | 2 | 2 | – | 4 | ||
| Centres | 5 | 5 | – | 10 | 4 | 3 | – | 7 | ||
| Wingers | 4 | 9 | – | 13 | 7 | 4 | – | 11 | ||
| Fullback | 4 | 3 | – | 7 | 2 | 2 | – | 4 |