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Rugby players must develop excellent levels of conditioning during adolescence. However, this pivotal period of life is also characterized by a surge in biological growth, which further increases the energy and nutritional requirements of this population. This study examined within-individual differences in energy intake (EI) and energy balance (EB) of 46 young rugby players during a pre-season micro-cycle. Two clusters were identified with significantly different characteristics and EB states, suggesting that young rugby players adjust their EI to match their body composition goals. The first cluster is characterized by players with a low body fat% (12.87 ± 2.53). They had a positive EB (330 ± 517 kcal), suggesting a goal of increasing muscle mass. Conversely, the second cluster is characterized by a higher body fat% (23.1 ± 1.6, p < 0.005) and reported a negative, lower EB (−683 ± 425 kcal, p < 0.005), suggesting a goal focused on reducing fat mass. Although our study provides more optimistic results than previous ones regarding the high risk of inadequate EI in young rugby players, we emphasize the importance of rigorous nutritional support, especially for players aiming to lose weight, to avoid severe caloric restriction, as well as the downstream effects of such practices on their nutritional status, given the higher risk of macro- (e.g., CHO < 6 g/kg/d) and micronutrient (e.g., iron < 11 mg/d, calcium < 1300 mg/d, vitamin D < 5 mg/d) deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite some reported benefits, there is a low quality of evidence for resistance training (RT) improving metabolic health of individuals with overweight or obesity. We evaluated the impact of RT on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical performance, lipid–lipoprotein profile, inflammation, and glucose–insulin homeostasis in 51 postmenopausal women versus 29 controls matched for age, obesity, and physical activity. Exercised women were further subdivided for comparison of RT effects into those presenting metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and those with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) classified according to Karelis and Rabasa-Lhoret or an approach based on adipose tissue secretory dysfunction using the plasma adiponectin(A)/leptin (L) ratio. Participants followed a 4-month weekly RT program targeting major muscle groups (3 × 10 repetitions at 80% one repetition maximum (1-RM)). Percent fat marginally decreased and lean body mass increased (0.01 < p < 0.05) while CRF and muscular strength improved in all women, after RT (effect size (ES): 0.11–1.21 (trivial to large effects), p ˂ 0.01). Fasting plasma triacylglycerol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels slightly increased and decreased, respectively, in participants with MHO using the A/L ratio approach (ES: −0.47 to 1.07 (small to large effects), p ˂ 0.05). Circulating interleukin-6 soluble receptor decreased in both groups and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1/soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 in women with MUHO only, irrespective of definition (ES: −0.42 to −0.84 (small to large effects), p ˂ 0.05). Glucose–insulin homeostasis was unchanged regardless of group or definition. RT improved physical performance and body composition but had a lesser impact on cardiometabolic risk in women with obesity, irrespective of their metabolic phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of sleep monitoring in the context of sport, few studies to date examined night-to-night sleep variability among adolescent athletes. This study compared night-to-night sleep variation between junior rugby players and age-matched non-athlete adolescents across seven consecutive nights of the in-season competitive phase. This investigation is based on data from a single centre, observational prospective study including 30 adolescents (15 junior rugby players and 15 non-athlete age-matched controls). Sleep was continuously monitored using ambulatory electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. While the non-athlete controls catch-up on their sleep debt during the weekend by delaying their wake-up time, junior rugby players opt for an earlier bedtime to cope with sport-related travel (Fri: −00:57 h:min; p < 0.001; Sat: −01:58 h:min; p < 0.001) or early school (Mon: −00:55 h:min; p < 0.001). Night-to-night sleep examination identified greater sleep disturbances in junior rugby players the nights before and after the competition SE (Fri: −11%; p < 0.001; Sat: −9 min; p < 0.01). Junior rugby players showed higher IIV in sleep duration (CVTST: + 5.8%; P < 0.001), efficiency (CVSE: + 3.8%; p < 0.001) and staging (CVN2: + 5.4%; p < 0.001; CVN3: + 4.5; p < 0.01 IIV; REM: + 16.4%; p < 0.01). Higher IIV in the young athletes' sleep outcomes could make them even more vulnerable to health and wellness concerns (i.e. overtraining, injury). The study results show the urgent need for an appropriate consideration of sleep regularity in young athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young athletes must contend with the constraints of elite sports on top of school commitments and the physiological processes associated with adolescence. This study assessed week and weekend sleep and schedule of activities in elite adolescent rugby players during the in-season competitive phase compared with age-matched non-athlete controls. 32 adolescents (GR: 16 elite rugby players, GC: 16 controls) from the same boarding school filled out a daily schedule of activities and a sleep diary, and wore a multichannel electroencephalogram for 14 days. They later filled out questionnaires on their sleep quality, sleepiness, and perceived stress. Both groups showed insufficient sleep duration during the week (<7 h). Only GC caught up on their sleep debt during the weekend (increased TIB, TST and time spent in REM sleep, all p < 0.001). Weekend TIB, TST and, N3 sleep remained similar to that for weekdays in GR. However, GR experienced lower sleep quality (decreased SE, increased WASO, all p < 0.01) and a decrease in REM sleep (p < 0.01). Schedules of activities showed an increase in time spent on overall activities during the weekend, mainly due to competition and sport-specific travel, which resulted in a decrease in sleep opportunity time compared with GC (p < 0.001). Δ sleep opportunity time (weekend-week) was associated with Δ TST (weekend-week), and Δ TST (weekend-week) was associated with sleepiness and perceived stress. Busy schedules during the competitive season decreased sleep opportunity time and prevented elite adolescent rugby players from catching up on their sleep at weekends. HIGHLIGHTS Adolescent rugby players have insufficient sleep during both week and weekend of the in-season competitive phase Congested schedule prevented elite adolescent rugby players from catching up on their sleep at weekends. Sleep considerations are necessary when planning the weekend sporting schedules [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statins use is linked to side effects, notably muscular ones, known as Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms (SAMS). These can include a pain, an increased sensitivity to palpation, aches, and cramps. SAMS are a real problem in the clinical management of patients, as it is difficult to causally link these complaints with drug use, and they may lead to a reduction in statin intake, or even to the patient -discontinuing their use. The absence of objective markers and the -variety of possible clinical manifestations of these muscular -complaints impede a full understanding of the objective and -subjective impacts of these symptoms on the everyday life of sympto-matic patients. This article assess the current state of knowledge on the impact of SAMS on performance and health--related quality of life., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.