Anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy players of different age categories and playing standards

Table 4 Univariate test results for simple main effect analyses of age category on selected dependent variables which showed significant interactions for each level of playing standard

SCRuM test variable	^aMean diff (95% CI)	Playing standard	Df	MS	F	P^b	η²p
Running-and-Catching Ability Skill Test (au)	2.27 (1.49–3.05)	Elite group	1	105.476	33.272	< 0.000	0.18
Running-and-Catching Ability Skill Test (au)	5.15 (4.32–5.97)	Sub-elite group	1	480.645	151.619	< 0.000	0.50
Tackling Proficiency Test (%)	4.89 (1.22–8.54)	Elite group	1	487.8	6.94	< 0.009	0.04
Tackling Proficiency Test (%)	16.5 (12.6–20.4)	Sub-elite group	1	4846.4	68.9	< 0.000	0.31
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (m)	198.5 (168.3–288.7)	Elite group	1	808,043.9	18.8	< 0.000	0.09
	413.0 (316.3–509.7)	Sub-elite group	1	3,042,135.7	70.9	< 0.000	0.26
	155.4 (38.4–272.4)	Non-Rugby group	1	294,145.5	6.86	0.01	0.03
2-kg Medicine Ball Chest Throw Test (m)	2.26 (1.81–2.71)	Elite group	1	104.7	99.6	< 0.000	0.33
	2.41 (1.93–2.88)	Sub-elite group	1	105.1	100.4	< 0.000	0.34
	1.34 (0.77–1.92)	Non-Rugby group	1	22.0	21.0	< 0.000	0.09
Vertical Jump test (cm)	9.52 (7.99–11.0)	Elite group	1	1708.5	140.0	< 0.000	0.41
	7.69 (6.05–9.32)	Sub-elite group	1	1053.9	86.2	< 0.000	0.30
	11.8 (9.87–13.8)	Non-Rugby group	1	1857.7	152.0	< 0.000	0.43

^aMean diff = mean differences in the dependent variable between U19 and 16 (Under 19-Under 16) based on estimated marginal means; MS = Mean square; df = degree of freedom; ^badjusted for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni correction; η²_p = partial eta squared; F = each F tests the simple effects of Age category within each level combination of playing standard. These tests are based on the linearly independent pairwise comparisons among the estimated marginal means; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval for the mean difference

ISSN: 2052-1847