Hydration management in rugby: a comparative study on the forward and back positions of the Indonesian national team

Background and Study Aim. In the Indonesian national rugby team, there is a lack of awareness among back and forward players about the amount of fluids they lose while playing their respective positions. This is due to the different intensity and roles associated with each position. The aim of this research is to determine the difference in body fluid loss between players in the forward and back positions in the Indonesian national rugby team. Material and Methods. The research method used in this study was an experimental method with a two-group pre-test and post-test design. The data collection process employed purposive sampling with the criterion of selecting 12 individuals from a population of 23 who were willing to participate. The data analysis technique used was the independent t-test. Results. The research results concluded that there was a significant difference in body weight between the initial and final tests for players in the forward position. The t-count of 7.661 exceeded the t-table value of 2.571. Similarly, for players in the back position, there was a significant difference in body weight before and after the match. The t-count of 4.805 exceeded the t-table value of 2.571. Furthermore, when comparing fluid loss between forwards and backs, there was a significant difference. The t-count of 2.443 was greater than the t-table value of 2.222. This demonstrates the difference in fluid loss after competing with the Indonesian national rugby team. Conclusions. The weight of both forward and back players decreased after competing. There are differences in body fluid loss between the two positions, with forwards losing more fluid than backs. This study provides empirical evidence that the position played on the field influences the amount of body fluid lost during the game. This insight is important for developing customized hydration strategies that consider the specific physical demands of each playing position.