Three-Compartment Body Composition Measurement by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry: Use in the Prevention of Cervical Spine Trauma and in the Follow-Up of Muscular Injuries in Elite Rugby Union Players

Our purpose is to emphasize the use of DXA for the assessment of skeletal muscular mass in rugby players. Ideally, seasonal follow-up with DXA includes three scans during the playing season but this objective is quite difficult to reach. We studied 38 elite senior players for two seasons, but unfortunately only eight were scanned at least three times in both seasons. One player underwent MRI and DXA studies after a spinal trauma with whole body and paraspinal three-compartmental measurements at 3 weeks. DXA is the gold standard for following fat mass and lean mass components of the players, as well as for total body and regional studies of cervical musculature. Each player gets a three compartmental study, monitored by colored visual mapping and by diagrams of follow-up over time. The lean mass/height2 ratio and appendicular lean mass/height2 ratio are good criteria for the assessment of lean mass. DXA is also a good tool for the prevention of injuries and for assessment of recovery after lower limb and cervical spine injuries. We suggest adding DXA to the protocol for the evaluation of capacity to play in the French Rugby Federation.