Lean Mass, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Quality in Retired Rugby Players: The UK Rugby Health Project
Int J Sports Med DOI: 10.1055/a-1854-0052Although athletes from sports such as rugby have greater lean mass and strength
during their playing careers, little is known about these characteristics
post-retirement. Therefore, this study investigated lean mass, strength, and
muscle quality in retired elite and amateur rugby players and non-contact
athletes. Retired elite male rugby players (n=42,
43.9±10.3 y; 101.1±13.4 kg;
1.82±0.09 m), amateur rugby players (n=46,
48.0±10.5 y; 98.9±16.6 kg;
1.79±0.07 m) and non-contact athletes (n=30,
51.3±12.5 y; 91.3±13.4 kg;
1.79±0.07 m) received one total body dual-energy X-ray
absorptiometry assessment of appendicular lean mass (ALM) and ALM index (ALMI).
Grip strength was measured, and muscle quality (grip strength/unit of
arm lean mass) was calculated. Sarcopenia was identified as
ALMI<7.23 kg/m2 and handgrip
strength<37.2 kg. Total lean mass, ALM and grip strength were
greater in the elite rugby compared to amateur rugby and non-contact groups
(p<0.01). There were no significant differences in muscle quality or
sarcopenia prevalence. Retired elite rugby players had greater lean mass and
grip strength than amateur rugby and non-contact athletes, although muscle
quality was similar. The greater lean m...
Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Entwistle, Ian Francis, Peter Lees, Matthew Hume, Patria Hind, Karen Tags: Training & Testing Source Type: research
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