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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

Ian Entwistle 
1   Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2   Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Peter Francis
3   Department of Science and Health, Institute of Technology Carlow, Carlow, Ireland
,
Matthew Lees
4   Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
,
Patria Hume
5   Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
,
Karen Hind
1   Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2   Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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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


Publication History

Received: 12 November 2021

Accepted: 27 April 2022

Article published online:
29 June 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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