Cardiovascular prevention and at-risk behaviours in a large population of amateur rugby players. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chagué, Frédéric; Georges, Marjolaine; Gudjoncik, Aurélie; Hermerel, Thierry; Garet, Gilles; Israël, Jean; Hager, Jean-Philippe; Aviat, Patrick; Laurent, Yves; Gremeaux, Vincent; Cottin, Yves; Zeller, Marianne
• Is Part Of: European journal of preventive cardiology. Volume 26:Number 14(2019)
• Page Start: 1522
• Page End: 1530
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Alcohol -- at-risk behaviour -- awareness -- cardiovascular prevention -- guidelines adhesion -- highly caffeinated beverages -- screening -- survey -- tobacco -- amateur rugby player; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cardiac patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1177/2047487319837066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-4873

Abstract

Background and aim: We aimed to investigate cardiovascular risk factors and health behaviours prospectively in a large population of French amateur rugby players. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was displayed to rugby players aged over 12 years enrolled in the 2014–2015 French amateur rugby championship from the Burgundy region ( n = 5140). Questions addressed awareness on: (a) cardiovascular prevention; (b) tobacco, alcohol and highly caffeinated beverages consumption; and (c) adherence to prevention guidelines (ECG checks, training in basic life support, avoidance of sports practice during fever/infectious episodes). Results: Among the 640 participants who completed the questionnaires, most were male (90%) and were aged under 35 years (80%). Almost half had basic life support training (42%), but only a minority attended an ECG check-up before licensing (37%), and only a few were aware of the cardiovascular prevention information campaign (17%), similarly across the age groups. Surprisingly, playing rugby with fever was commonly reported (44%) and was even more frequent in young women (55%). A high number of respondents were current smokers (35%), of whom most reported consumption less than 2 hours before/after a rugby session. Alcohol drinkers were frequent (69%), of whom most (79%) drank alcohol less than 2 hours before/after a match. Highly caffeinated beverages consumption (34%) was high, particularly in younger players (39%). Half highly caffeinated beverages consumption was in the setting of a rugby session, even greater in women and mainly motivated by performance enhancement (34%). Conclusion: Our findings from a representative regional cohort may help to identify targets for cardiovascular prevention through the development of educational programmes aiming to improve the knowledge and behaviour of amateur rugby players.