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Fitness Components for Rugby League

In addition to the high level of skill required to play rugby league, to be successful you need, among other things, good aerobic and anaerobic fitness, strength, power and speed! However, which of these are more important? Below is a discussion about the fitness requirements for rugby league, which can help with developing training programs for this sport, and for interpreting fitness testing results and determining the relative strengths and weaknesses of a player. The importance of each component of fitness will depend on the playing position, e.g. strength is more important for the props and speed for the backs.

You Need to be Powerful with Good Endurance

We have a poll about the component of fitness most important for success in rugby league. Out of the options of Body Size and Composition, Muscle Strength, Muscular Endurance, Power, Speed / Quickness, Agility, Flexibility, Balance and Coordination, and Cardiovascular Endurance, the factors which are considered most important by the readers of this site are power, muscular and cardiovascular endurance. You can add your vote too, and see the latest results.



You Need to be Mentally Strong, with Speed and Power

In a similar poll, we have asked people to rate the 12 factors of success for sports. Visitors to this site have rated each of these factors for the sport of rugby league, and the most important according to them are: coping with pressure and having good motivation and self-confidence. In terms of the physical side (rugby is very physical!), speed, strength and power are most important. You can also add your ratings of Which Factors Make Successful Rugby League Players, and see the latest results.

Most Important Factors for Success in Order of Importance (data from 2018)

4.6 Coping with Pressure Situations
4.5 Motivation & Self Confidence
4.4 Speed / Quickness
4.3 Strength & Power
4.3 Agility
4.3 Balance & Coordination
4.2 Skill and Technique
4.2 Aerobic Endurance
4.2 Reaction Time
4.2 Analytic & Tactical Ability
3.6 Body Size and Composition
3.4 Flexibility

Are You an Expert?

I have found that asking all site visitors for their opinion, while it is interesting, does not always lead to accurate results. We want to know what the experts think. If you consider yourself an expert in rugby league, go here to add your opinion.



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