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Leigh Centurions owner completes weight loss challenge
Leigh Centurions’ Derek Beaumont and Salford Red Devils counterpart Marwan Koukask were both successful in the ‘Doc and Dek’ Charity Challenge to reduce their weight to 15 and a half stone by the time their teams met at the Dacia Magic Weekend in Newcastle on May 21.
The weight loss challenge between Marwan Koukash and Derek Beaumont ended in a draw with both reaching the required target and tipping the scales at the weigh-in at 15 stone 4 pounds.
Following the challenge, both donated £5,000 to the Steve Prescott Foundation and the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund.
Derek - just shy of 19 stone at the start of the challenge – received support from Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie Research Institute throughout his weight loss programme, receiving pre and post programme DXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scans to shed light on measurements including lean mass, bone density and his levels of different types of fat.
The scans were carried out by Senior Research Fellow Dr Karen Hind who is also leading a major rugby-related study, the UK Rugby Health Research Project, into the health of retired rugby players.
Speaking about his progress, Dr Hind said: “Through the DXA scan we could see from the outset of the challenge, the high amount of visceral fat Derek had, which is associated with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The results Derek has been able to achieve are very pleasing and we are incredibly impressed with his progress. Not only has he reduced the levels of fat in his body, but he’s also been able to put on a good amount of muscle mass as well which is great for keeping healthy.”
Derek added: “The challenge has been tough and there’s been no easy way of doing it, just hard work and dedication. If you put your mind to anything, you can achieve it; when I started it almost seemed impossible to me. But I started doing what was possible and before long I was doing what was impossible and have made a massive change to my life.”
Dr Hind and the UK Rugby Health research team, are also continuing to recruit those who have been involved in playing rugby union or rugby league for the UK Rugby Health Research Project which launched on September 15.
The study will contribute to large scale, international evidence on player health post-retirement.
To take part in the project, there is one online neurocognitive (CNSVS) test and an online survey which explores general health and wellbeing. Clinical health evaluations are also taking place at Leeds Beckett University, and involve bone and joint scans, cardiovascular assessments, balance tests and brain imaging.
Details on how to take part in the research can be found at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ukrugbyhealth