Macronutrient requirements and intake by professional male rugby players
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Rugby union is a high-contact team sport where professional rugby players are exposed to considerable training and game loads in pre-season and in-season. Some studies have shown that rugby players' dietary intake remains inadequate for the three macronutrients (carbohydrates [CHO], proteins and fats) required for optimal performance. This study aimed to describe the macronutrient intake of professional male rugby players at Zebre Rugby Club in Parma, Italy, during in-season, and to compare players' macronutrient intake to international recommendations. METHODS: Thirty-four professional male rugby players participated in the cross-sectional study. A self-developed questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire and food records (on training and competition days and off day) were used to investigate players' macronutrient intake. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) standardized techniques. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were investigated using chi-square, Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank tests as applicable. RESULTS: < 0.03) of forwards were higher than the backs. Additionally, the median body fat percentage of all players exceeded the international recommendation of 8-17% for rugby union players. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) recommend an intake of 5.0-8.0 g/kg body weight (BW)/day CHO, 1.5-2.0 g/kg BW/day proteins and 20-35% total energy (TE) from fats for rugby players. The overall median intake of the three-day food records for all the players was 2.7 g/kg BW CHO, 1.7 g/kg BW protein and 35.1% TE from fat. On each of the three reported days, 90.0% of players' CHO intake fell below the recommended range, with almost all players (>90.0%) consuming less than the recommended amount of carbohydrates and almost 30.0% of players consuming below the recommended amount of protein on competition day. At least 50.0% of players' protein and fat intake was within the recommended range on each of the three reported days. CONCLUSION: The study's findings can assist various stakeholders at Zebre Rugby Club to align rugby players' dietary requirements to their workload, and encourage players' adherence to dietary guidelines and recommendations. It is advised that attention be focused on accurate dietary education, intake and monitoring to promote individualization and optimal performance and recovery. Future research is needed to adapt standardized macronutrient recommendations for rugby-specific requirements and address obstacles that may impede the optimal intake of macronutrients.
Institution: University of the Free State
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
OpenAlex ID: W4408546803