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Body Mass and Body Composition Changes over 7 Years in a Male Professional Rugby Union Team

McHugh, C.; Hind, K.; O'Halloran, A.; Davey, D.; Farrell, G.; Wilson, F.

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Authors

C. McHugh

K. Hind

A. O'Halloran

D. Davey

G. Farrell

F. Wilson



Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate longitudinal body mass and body composition changes in one professional rugby union team (n=123), (i) according to position [forwards (n=58) versus backs (n=65)], analysis of players with 6 consecutive seasons of DXA scans (n=21) and, (iii) to examine differences by playing status [academy and international], over 7 years. Players [mean age: 26.8 y, body mass index: 28.9+kg.m2] received DXA scans at fourtime points within each year. A modest (but non-significant) increase in mean total mass (0.8 kg) for professional players was reflected by increased lean mass and reduced body fat mass. At all-time points, forwards had a significantly greater total mass, lean mass and body fat percentage compared to backs (p<0.05). Academy players demonstrated increased total and lean mass and decreased body fat percentage over the first 3 years of senior rugby, although this was not significant. Senior and academy international players had greater lean mass and lower body fat percentage (p<0.05) than non-international counterparts. Despite modest increases in total mass; reflected by increased lean mass and reduced fat mass, no significant changes in body mass or body composition, irrespective of playing position were apparent over 7 years.

Citation

McHugh, C., Hind, K., O'Halloran, A., Davey, D., Farrell, G., & Wilson, F. (2021). Body Mass and Body Composition Changes over 7 Years in a Male Professional Rugby Union Team. International Journal of Sports Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1403-2906

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 22, 2021
Online Publication Date Apr 30, 2021
Publication Date 2021
Deposit Date Jul 25, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal International Journal of Sports Medicine
Print ISSN 0172-4622
Electronic ISSN 1439-3964
Publisher Thieme Gruppe
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1403-2906

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