Lean Mass, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Quality in Retired Rugby
                    Players: The UK Rugby Health Project

Ian Entwistle; Peter Francis; Matthew Lees; Patria Hume; Karen Hind

doi:10.1055/a-1854-0052

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2022; 43(11): 958-963
DOI: 10.1055/a-1854-0052

Training & Testing

Lean Mass, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Quality in Retired Rugby Players: The UK Rugby Health Project

Authors

Ian Entwistle

¹Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

²Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Peter Francis

³Department of Science and Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland
Matthew Lees

⁴Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Patria Hume

⁵Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
Karen Hind

¹Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

²Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Abstract

Although 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 mass and strength might reflect genetic influences or previous participation in a highly physical sport.

Key words

former athletes - retirement - sport - ageing - muscle - strength - sarcopenia

Full Text

References

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