Dietary intake and supplement use of under 21 rugby players, Blue Bulls

[摘要] English: The need for accurate sports nutrition information is increasing. Whether theathlete's performance is recreational or elite it will be influenced by what he eats or drinks. More than half of the athletic populations are supplement users, although the prevalence ranges between sports. Despite the lack of evidence from the benefit from the use of most nutritional supplements, commercial promotion of their use is a thriving and highly influential business. Little research has been done on the dietary intake and supplement use of South African and international rugby players. The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary intake and the use of supplements by u/21 male rugby players with the view to develop suitable nutrition education messages according to the problemsrelated to dietary and supplement use; and to set up practical guidelines for the safe and effective use of supplements. Common to rugby, is the intermittent, high intensity of play, which places great demands on both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems. Physical activity, exercise performance and recovery from exercise are enhanced by optimalnutrition. A fundamental role of nutrition in sport is to supply fuel for energy as well as all the essential macro - and micronutrients and fluid. Exercising individuals universally want to perform better and are willing to try almost anything that offers a promise of better performance. Consumption of dietary supplements and ergogenic aids have become commonplace among athletes. The main aim was to determine the dietary intake and the use of supplements by 30 u/21 male rugby players from the Blue Bulls. A pilot study was conducted on 5 of the u/20 rugby players from the UP prior to the main study. Abackground information questionnaire, supplement questionnaire and four-day food recordwere used to collect data. Of the 30 players, 26 players returned the background information questionnaire and the supplement questionnaires. Two incomplete questionnaires could not be used. The required information could thus be collected only from 24 players. The average dietary intake of the rugby players without supplements, were adequate, except for the total CHO, dietary fibre, vitamin E, calcium, magnesiumand iodine intakes that were inadequate. The average fluid intake was also lower than the proposed maximum intake. The majority of the study population used cordials and carbonated beverages for rehydration purposes. The alcohol intake of the study population was low except for on the competition day. Supplementation did not contribute significantly to the dietary intakes of the rugby players, except for an adequate vitamin E intake. The rugby players ingested an average high fat, SFA, cholesterol, sodium and chloride intakes. The energy and CHO intakes compared to the SSR were inadequate on the training day and both exercise days, respectively. The majority of the study population used supplements. Protein powders were most often used. Most of the supplements were used in amounts that were within the recommendations. Supplements were used before and after exercise, in no specific pattern. Muscle building and repair was the reason most used for supplement use. Before any supplementation practices is considered by the rugby players, an adequate diet should be followed. Rugby players need more education andpractical guidelines on their dietary habits; the benefit of a high carbohydrate, low fat diet on health and sports performance; the importance of rehydration strategies, fluid intake and types of fluid ingested; the safe and effective use of supplements.

[发布机构] University of the Free State