Background: There are two main playing positions in rugby (backs and forwards), which demonstrate different\r\nexercise patterns, roles, and physical characteristics. The purpose of this study was: 1) to collect baseline data on\r\nnutrient intake in order to advise the athletes about nutrition practices that might enhance performance, and 2) to\r\ncompare serum lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (apo), lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, and iron\r\nstatus of forwards and backs.\r\nMethods: The sporting group was divided into 18 forwards and 16 backs and were compared with 26 sedentary\r\ncontrols. Dietary information was obtained with a food frequency questionnaire.\r\nResults: There were significant differences among the three groups. The forwards had the highest body weight,\r\nbody mass index, percentage of body fat (calculated by sum of four skinfold thicknesses), as well as the highest\r\nlean body mass, followed by the backs and the control group. The mean carbohydrate intake was marginal and\r\nprotein intake was lower than the respective recommended targets in all three groups. The mean intakes of\r\ncalcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, and C were lower than the respective Japanese recommended dietary\r\nallowances or adequate dietary intakes for the rugby players. The forwards had significantly lower high-density\r\nlipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL2-C than the backs and had significantly higher apo B and LCAT activity\r\nthan the controls. The backs showed significantly higher HDL-C, HDL3-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and\r\napo A-I, and LCAT activity than the controls. Four forwards (22%), five backs (31%), and three controls (12%) had\r\nhemolysis. None of the rugby players had anemia or iron depletion.\r\nConclusion: The findings of our study indicate that as the athletes increased their carbohydrate and protein intake,\r\ntheir performance and lean body mass increased. Further, to increase mineral and vitamin intakes, we\r\nrecommended athletes increase their consumption of green and other vegetables, milk and dairy products, and\r\nfruits. The forwards showed more atherogenic lipid profiles than the backs, whereas the backs showed not only\r\nanti-atherogenic lipid profile, but also showed more atherogenic lipid profile relative to the control group.\r\nAdditionally, our study showed none of the rugby players experienced anemia and/or iron depletion.
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