Abstract and Figures
Professional collision-sport athletes report uniquely large energy expenditures across the season (1-4), as determined by gold standard assessment of resting metabolic rate (RMR (5)) and total energy expenditure (TEE (6)). Such expenditures are possibly a consequence of strenuous match demands, which repeatedly expose players to substantial exercise-and collision-induced muscle damage (7). Recovery from such large perturbations of homeostasis (8) are likely to be energetically expensive (9), in part determining the distinct in-season energetic demands of professional collision-sport athletes. Aim. Accurately determining the effect of match play on resting metabolism is essential to optimise acute manipulation of energy balance, player recovery and long-term athlete development. Therefore, for the first time this case report investigated the metabolic cost of a professional young rugby league match.