Does Playing Level and Position Influence Strength and Power Profiles in Female Rugby League Athletes?

Brassington, RJ, Mara, JK, Ball, NB, Waddington, G, Paul, K, and Cooke, J. Does playing level and position influence strength and power profiles in female rugby league athletes? J Strength Cond Res 40(7): 776-787, 2026-The purpose of this study was to compare the physical characteristics and physical qualities of elite and subelite female rugby league athletes, with a focus on strength, power, and positional differences between forwards and backs. Fifty-one female athletes participated (subelite: n = 26, height: 167.1 ± 6.0 cm, mass: 69.1 ± 10.7 kg, age: 17.4 ± 0.5 years; elite: n = 25, height: 167.5 ± 6.3 cm, mass: 78.3 ± 12.6 kg, age: 23.6 ± 4.3 years). Assessments included anthropometry, 3-repetition maximum (3RM) trap bar deadlift (TBD), 3RM bench press (BP), countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ) tests using dual force plates. Elite athletes demonstrated significantly greater maximal strength in the TBD ( B = 39.84 kg [19.97, 59.72], p < 0.001, ES = 1.75) and BP ( B = 9.13 kg [-0.14, 18.41], p = 0.053, ES = 1.33). In the CMJ, elite players recorded greater peak power ( B = 571.04 W [230.76, 911.33], p = 0.002, ES = 1.00) and longer eccentric and concentric durations ( B = 43.37 ms [20.53, 66.22], p < 0.001, ES = 1.62), reflecting distinct movement strategies. They also produced higher SJ jump height ( B = 3.89 cm [0.98, 6.79], p = 0.01, ES = 1.36), peak power ( B = 670.74 W [349.31, 992.16], p < 0.001, ES = 1.62), and concentric impulse ( B = 33.66 N·s [17.76, 49.56], p < 0.001, ES = 1.71). Drop jump results showed fewer differences, with level effects limited to concentric impulse ( B = 34.01 N·s [13.78, 54.22], p = 0.002, ES = 1.29). Positional effects indicated forwards were heavier ( B = 9.10 kg [0.03, 18.2], p = 0.049, ES = 1.02) and produced greater SJ take-off force ( B = 240.80 N [20.18, 461.43], p = 0.033, ES = 1.05). Elite female rugby league athletes display superior maximal strength, lower-body power, and distinct jump strategies compared with subelite players. These characteristics likely underpin the increased physical demands of elite competition. Strength and conditioning programs for subelite athletes should emphasize maximal strength, concentric impulse, and eccentric control, with position-specific emphasis on collision strength for forwards and reactive strength for backs.