Physiological Changes Throughout the Competitive Rugby Season.

Body Composition Clinical Trial

Official title:

What Physiological Changes Occur During the Competitive Rugby Union Season?

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03510247
• Other study ID #: UoS-Quins1
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• First received: April 17, 2018
• Last updated: April 25, 2018
• Start date: May 2018
• Est. completion date: May 2020

Study information

• Verified date: April 2018
• Source: University of Surrey
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Rugby union is a high intensity, intermittent team sport which is played over 80 minutes. Players are divided into two main positional groups, forwards and backs, with backs covering a larger distance and completing more sprints and forwards partaking in more static exertions. With the game of rugby union getting progressively faster, body composition and power to weight ratio are key determinants. Due to the demands placed on these players it is essential that they are in optimal health continually, however, whilst the required physical attributes are well documented, this research will provide an insight into physiological and anthropometric changes that occur across two seasons.

During this study subjects will be asked to attend the lab on 8 occasions over the course of two seasons (June 2018, September 2018, January 2019, April 2019, June 2019, September 2019, January 2020 and April 2020). During these visits the following tests will be completed; a peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) scan of the bone mineral composition of the tibia and radius, total body composition via Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), anterior-posterior spine bone mineral density to assess fracture risk via DXA, vertebral fracture risk via DXA. ~24ml of whole blood will be taken to determine serum 25(OH)D, albumin, calcium, zinc, total red blood cell count, lymphocytes, monocytes, carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX) and amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) concentrations. In June all players will complete a 6 minute run to determine fitness. Players will be expected to measure body weight and complete wellness questionnaires daily at the club and have skinfold measurements taken monthly. global positioning system (GPS) data will be collected during each training session and performance analysis will be utilised to determine the amount of contacts completed. Illness and injury occurrences will be recorded throughout the season.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 55
• Est. completion date: May 2020
• Est. primary completion date: May 2020
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 18 Years to 35 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male

• 18-35 years old

• Contracted player of Harlequins Rugby Club

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any participant who has been exposed to radiation exceeding 5millisieverts within the past 12 months will be excluded from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans for the relevant time points, however all other (non-ionizing) measures will be collected.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Body Composition

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Surrey

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Fat percentage	Body fat percentage (%) change over the course of two seasons.	Two years
Primary	Muscle Mass	Total muscle mass (kg) change over the course of two seasons	Two years.
Secondary	Fracture Risk	Bone mineral density, vertebral fracture assessment and bone structure will be combined to determine fracture risk over the course of two seasons.	Two Years
Secondary	Vitamin D Status	Vitamin D status (25(OH)D) will be measured over two seasons to determine seasonal changes.	Two years