A large body size and mass are advantages in rugby. Thedesire to gain weight can bring players to become overweight or obese.This can worsen their thermoregulation and health risks. The aim was to evaluate anthropometric characteristics and to determine the effect ofadditional body fat percentage on sweat loss during play-match in male rugby players. Nineteen qualified male rugby players were tested during play-match. The age, height, body mass, body mass index (BMI) and bodyfat percent of participants were: 29±6 years, 183±7 cm, 96.86±12.88 kg,29.07±3.90 kg/m2, 20.52±5.64%, respectively. The skin fold thickness measurement was used to assess body fat percent. Body mass losswas detected by weighting. The mean BMI was 26.18±2.37 (kg/m2)and the body fat 15.87±3.97% in backs. Forwards were significantly heavier and had BMI 31.18±3.44 (kg/m2)(p=0.002) and the body fat23.91±4.02% (p<0.001). The mean body mass decrease in the play-match was 1.83±0.84%. The mean sweating intensity was 2.24±1.07 l/h,but individual varied among players in very wide range (1.12-6.16 l/h). Relationships between the body fat percentage and sweating intensity was not determined (p>0.05). Recommendation is to increase the volume of regular strength training, to correct the diet and liquid consumption.
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