{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]],"date-time":"2026-10-16T20:02:29Z","timestamp":1792180949461,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786406400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol.","JFMK"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Rugby union and rugby league are among the most physically demanding contact team sports, in which playing positions impose distinct physical requirements. The aim of the review was to collect and synthesize available data on positional differences in physical fitness between forwards and backs in adult male rugby players. Methods: The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and SWiM guidelines and was prospectively registered in the OSF database (10.17605\/OSF.IO\/E4Y37). Four electronic databases were searched: PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus up to June 2026. The search identified 3058 records, which were reduced to 1343 after language and document-type limits and then screened. Eligibility criteria were applied within the PICOs framework. Methodological quality was assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists and the AXIS tool as a validation instrument. Due to considerable methodological heterogeneity, narrative synthesis with directional meta-synthesis was applied. Results: Thirty-seven studies were included (n &gt; 2000 players; 15 countries; 1996\u20132025). Forwards achieved higher values of absolute muscular strength and power, body mass, and sprint momentum, whereas backs performed better in sprint tests (10\u201350 m), maximum sprint velocity, aerobic fitness (VO2max, Yo-Yo IRTL1), CMJ height, and relative power. Following normalization to body mass, positional differences in strength and power were attenuated or reversed. In the only study that isolated the change in direction deficit, no clear positional difference was observed. Conclusions: Body mass appears to be the principal explanatory factor underlying positional differences in absolute strength and power. Position-specific fitness profiles are observable as early as the U20 category and become more pronounced with increasing competitive level. Strength and conditioning coaches should compare positional groups using body mass normalized ratio or, where justified, allometrically scaled measures rather than absolute values.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jfmk11030313","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T13:46:16Z","timestamp":1786455976000},"page":"313","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Position-Specific Differences in Physical Fitness Characteristics Among Adult Male Rugby Players\u2014Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-3285-7859","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Karol","family":"Czy\u017c","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Ogniwo Sopot, \u201cOgniwo\u201d City Sports Club, 81-741 Sopot, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-9231-8353","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Krzysztof","family":"Kasicki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Sport Theory and Motor Skills, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Culture in Krak\u00f3w, 31-571 Krakow, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7956-7488","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"\u0141ukasz","family":"Rydzik","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Sport Theory and Motor Skills, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Culture in Krak\u00f3w, 31-571 Krakow, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Winicjusz","family":"Sok\u00f3\u0142","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Foundation Omnia Pro Polonia, 02-591 Warsaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Julita","family":"Kalinowska","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department Tourism and Recreation, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1725-3074","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrzej","family":"K\u0119dra","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vincent Pol University, 20-853 Lublin, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5256-1406","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jaros\u0142aw","family":"Jaszczur-Nowicki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department Physiotherapy, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Posthumus, L., Macgregor, C., Winwood, P., Darry, K., Driller, M., and Gill, N. (2020). Physical and Fitness Characteristics of Elite Professional Rugby Union Players. Sports, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports8060085"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Freitas, T.T., Alcaraz, P.E., Bishop, C., Calleja-Gonz\u00e1lez, J., Arruda, A.F.S., Guerriero, A., Reis, V.P., Pereira, L.A., and Loturco, I. (2019). Change of Direction Deficit in National Team Rugby Union Players: Is There an Influence of Playing Position?. Sports, 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports7010002"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cunningham, D.J., Shearer, D.A., Drawer, S., Pollard, B., Cook, C.J., Bennett, M., Russell, M., and Kilduff, L.P. (2018). Relationships between Physical Qualities and Key Performance Indicators during Match-Play in Senior International Rugby Union Players. PLoS ONE, 13.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0202811"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-200838020-00003","article-title":"Applied Physiology of Rugby League","volume":"38","author":"Gabbett","year":"2008","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1327","DOI":"10.1080\/17461391.2018.1490459","article-title":"Differences in Step Characteristics and Linear Kinematics between Rugby Players and Sprinters during Initial Sprint Acceleration","volume":"18","author":"Wild","year":"2018","journal-title":"Eur. J. Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Campbell, M., McKenzie, J.E., Sowden, A., Katikireddi, S.V., Brennan, S.E., Ellis, S., Hartmann-Boyce, J., Ryan, R., Shepperd, S., and Thomas, J. (2020). Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) in Systematic Reviews: Reporting Guideline. BMJ, 368.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l6890"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Page, M.J., McKenzie, J.E., Bossuyt, P.M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T.C., Mulrow, C.D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J.M., Akl, E.A., and Brennan, S.E. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. BMJ, 372.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"401","DOI":"10.11124\/JBIES-24-00523","article-title":"The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for analytical cross-sectional studies","volume":"24","author":"Barker","year":"2026","journal-title":"JBI Evid. Synth."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"441","DOI":"10.11124\/JBIES-24-00103","article-title":"The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for cohort studies","volume":"23","author":"Barker","year":"2025","journal-title":"JBI Evid. Synth."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Downes, M.J., Brennan, M.L., Williams, H.C., and Dean, R.S. (2016). Development of a Critical Appraisal Tool to Assess the Quality of Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS). BMJ Open, 6.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2016-011458"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1565","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000000394","article-title":"Scaling\u2014Which Methods Best Predict Performance?","volume":"28","author":"Comfort","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S8","DOI":"10.1080\/17461391.2011.635812","article-title":"The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Game Behaviours in Rugby Union Players","volume":"14","author":"Smart","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eur. J. Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1461","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001604","article-title":"Comparison of Strength Levels between Players from within the Same Club Who Were Selected vs. Not Selected to Play in the Grand Final of the National Rugby League Competition","volume":"31","author":"Baker","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1273","DOI":"10.1080\/02640410500497675","article-title":"A Comparison of Physiological and Anthropometric Characteristics among Playing Positions in Sub-Elite Rugby League Players","volume":"24","author":"Gabbett","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"303","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.34.4.303","article-title":"Physiological and Anthropometric Characteristics of Amateur Rugby League Players","volume":"34","author":"Gabbett","year":"2000","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.26582\/k.52.1.14","article-title":"Lower Body Peak Force but Not Power Is an Important Discriminator of Elite Senior Rugby League Players","volume":"52","author":"Wade","year":"2020","journal-title":"Kinesiology"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1575","DOI":"10.1080\/02640410903348657","article-title":"A Comparison of Ratio and Allometric Scaling Methods for Normalizing Power and Strength in Elite Rugby Union Players","volume":"27","author":"Crewther","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"695","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2014-0151","article-title":"Mechanical Properties of Sprinting in Elite Rugby Union and Rugby League","volume":"10","author":"Cross","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1118","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3182a1da46","article-title":"Force\u2013Velocity\u2013Power Assessment in Semiprofessional Rugby Union Players","volume":"30","author":"McMaster","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.30.1.53","article-title":"The New Zealand Rugby Injury and Performance Project. IV. Anthropometric and Physical Performance Comparisons between Positional Categories of Senior A Rugby Players","volume":"30","author":"Quarrie","year":"1996","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1576","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000004027","article-title":"Horizontal Force\u2013Velocity\u2013Power Profiling of Rugby Players: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Competition-Level and Position-Specific Movement Demands","volume":"35","author":"Watkins","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1374","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3181d687f5","article-title":"Strength and Power Characteristics in English Elite Rugby League Players","volume":"25","author":"Comfort","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"244","DOI":"10.1007\/s42978-022-00178-w","article-title":"Physical Characteristics Explain Ball-Carrying Capability in Sub-Elite Rugby Union Players","volume":"5","author":"Hart","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Sci. Sport Exerc."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2414","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3182804a6d","article-title":"Strength, Power, and Speed Qualities in English Junior Elite Rugby League Players","volume":"27","author":"Kirkpatrick","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1691","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000003697","article-title":"Countermovement Jump Standards in Rugby League: What Is a \u201cGood\u201d Performance?","volume":"36","author":"McMahon","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McMahon, J.J., Ripley, N.J., and Comfort, P. (2022). Force Plate\u2013Derived Countermovement Jump Normative Data and Benchmarks for Professional Rugby League Players. Sensors, 22.","DOI":"10.3390\/s22228669"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McMahon, J.J., Lake, J.P., and Comfort, P. (2022). Identifying and Reporting Position-Specific Countermovement Jump Outcome and Phase Characteristics within Rugby League. PLoS ONE, 17.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0265999"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.3109\/03014460.2011.632648","article-title":"ACTN3 Genotypes of Rugby Union Players: Distribution, Power Output and Body Composition","volume":"39","author":"Bell","year":"2012","journal-title":"Ann. Hum. Biol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.1080\/15438620903323892","article-title":"Interrelationships between Measured Running Intensities and Agility Performance in Sub-Elite Rugby Union Players","volume":"17","author":"Jarvis","year":"2009","journal-title":"Res. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Albesa-Albiol, L., Gonz\u00e1lez-Mill\u00e1n, S., Caparr\u00f3s, T., Piedra, A., Pardo, P., and Guerrero, S. (2026). Tolerance to Chronic Neuromuscular Fatigue during a Training Microcycle in a European Rugby Team. Apunts Sports Med., 61.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apunsm.2025.100502"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alonso-Aubin, D.A., Pic\u00f3n-Mart\u00ednez, M., and Chulvi-Medrano, I. (2021). Strength and Power Characteristics in National Amateur Rugby Players. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18115615"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Glaise, P., Morel, B., Rogowski, I., Cornu, B., and Martin, C. (2022). Influence of Repeated-Sprint Ability on the In-Game Activity Profiles of Semiprofessional Rugby Union Players According to Position. Front. Sports Act. Living, 4.","DOI":"10.3389\/fspor.2022.857373"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.2478\/hukin-2014-0051","article-title":"Fitness Profiles of Elite Portuguese Rugby Union Players","volume":"41","author":"Vaz","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Hum. Kinet."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2382","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001388","article-title":"Physical Differences between Forwards and Backs in American Collegiate Rugby Players","volume":"30","author":"Fukuda","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"2454","article-title":"Anthropometric Profile and Physical Fitness Performance Comparison by Game Position and Connections with Performance Parameters in Official Matches of Chilean Men Rugby Players","volume":"22","author":"Burboa","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Phys. Educ. Sport"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"274","DOI":"10.2478\/hukin-2021-0025","article-title":"In-Season Assessment of Sprint Speed and Sprint Momentum in Rugby Players According to the Age Category and Playing Position","volume":"77","author":"Zabaloy","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Hum. Kinet."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Iso, Y., Kitai, H., Ichimori, K., Kubota, M., Tsujiuchi, M., Nagumo, S., Toshida, T., Yonechi, T., Ebato, M., and Suzuki, H. (2023). Cardiac Structure and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Young Male Japanese Rugby Athletes. J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis., 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcdd10010012"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sato, T., Nalbandian, M., and Takeda, M. (2023). Physical Fitness Tests as Predictors of High-Intensity Running Performance in Rugby. Sports, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports11080156"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"334","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.36.5.334","article-title":"Physiological Characteristics of Junior and Senior Rugby League Players","volume":"36","author":"Gabbett","year":"2002","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1421","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2024.2394745","article-title":"The Influence of External Loads on Post-Match Neuromuscular Fatigue in International Rugby Union: A Partial Least Squares Correlational Analysis","volume":"42","author":"Naughton","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000004607","article-title":"Effects of Tactical Periodization on Workload, Physical Fitness, and Well-Being in Professional Rugby Union Players during a Preseason Period","volume":"38","author":"Hu","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nigro, F., Biondi, G., Sirocchi, P., Cavaletti, C., and Di Michele, R. (2025). Changes in Sprint Momentum in Elite Rugby Union Players over a Three-Season Period. Appl. Sci., 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/app15137087"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Karamti, M.H., Zouhal, H., Bousselmi, M., Darragi, M., Khannous, H., Ben Hmid, A., Zamali, I., Ben Ahmed, M., Laher, I., and Granacher, U. (2024). Changes in Physical Fitness, Muscle Damage and Cognitive Function in Elite Rugby Players over a Season. Sports, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports12080223"},{"key":"ref_44","unstructured":"Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. [2nd ed.]."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1594","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e318234ebe5","article-title":"Peak Power, Force, and Velocity during Jump Squats in Professional Rugby Players","volume":"26","author":"Turner","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Higgins, J.P.T., Altman, D.G., G\u00f8tzsche, P.C., J\u00fcni, P., Moher, D., Oxman, A.D., Savovi\u0107, J., Schulz, K.F., Weeks, L., and Sterne, J.A.C. (2011). The Cochrane Collaboration\u2019s Tool for Assessing Risk of Bias in Randomised Trials. BMJ, 343.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.d5928"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sterne, J.A.C., Savovi\u0107, J., Page, M.J., Elbers, R.G., Blencowe, N.S., Boutron, I., Cates, C.J., Cheng, H.Y., Corbett, M.S., and Eldridge, S.M. (2019). RoB 2: A Revised Tool for Assessing Risk of Bias in Randomised Trials. BMJ, 366.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l4898"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2022-0235","article-title":"The Relevance of Muscle Fiber Type to Physical Characteristics and Performance in Team-Sport Athletes","volume":"18","author":"Hopwood","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."}],"container-title":["Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2411-5142\/11\/3\/313\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T14:01:16Z","timestamp":1786456876000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2411-5142\/11\/3\/313"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}},"alternative-id":["jfmk11030313"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jfmk11030313","relation":{},"ISSN":["2411-5142"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2411-5142","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]]}}}