Research Progress on Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics and Running Performance of Rugby Sevens Players

Rugby sevens is a group sport with high intensity, short interval, and fierce confrontations.Since inclusion into the 2016 Olympic Games, the popularity of rugby sevens has attracted more and more attention. Based on the English literature, the characteristics of anthropometry and physiology and running ability of rugby sevens players are reviewed. Study shows that: 1) Elite players show the characteristics of high height, large weight and low percentage of fat. 2) Players must have the speed and endurance required for ball games, as well as the strength and physical collision required for wrestling, boxing, etc. Repeated sprint ability is the key index to evaluate the aerobic and anaerobic ability of rugby sevens players. 3) The relative total running distance covered over the whole match by elite players is 96~120 m/min for male and 95~103 m/min for female. High intensity running ability is the key factor to affect the players' performance. Male players show greater differences in position than females, but both male and female backs show stronger running ability than forwards. Fatigue affects players' movement patterns in the 2 nd half. In the future, research on rugby sevens should focus on physiology. Research on players' physical function and sports quality should be enhanced. By increasing the amount of data, a more accurate analysis of the running performance of the players in different level, different gender and different position could be acquired. A better understanding of physiological and running performance demands of rugby sevens would provide conditioners and coaches with a better framework to guide physical training prescription.