Abstract
Preseason in rugby union is a period of intensive training where players undergo
conditioning to prepare for the competitive season. In some cases, this includes
modifying body composition through weight gain or fat loss. This study aimed to
describe the macronutrient intakes of professional rugby union players during
pre-season training. It was hypothesized that players required to gain weight
would have a higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake compared to those
needing to lose weight. Twenty-three professional rugby players completed 3 days
of dietary assessment and their sum of eight skinfolds were assessed. Players
were divided into three groups by the team coaches and medical staff: weight
gain, weight maintain and weight loss. Mean energy intakes were 3,875 ± 907
kcal·d
−1
(15,965 ± 3,737 kJ·d
−1
) (weight gain 4,532 ±
804 kcal·d
−1
; weight maintain 3,825 ± 803 kcal·d
−1
; weight
loss 3,066 ± 407 kcal·d
−1
) and carbohydrate intakes were 3.7 ± 1.2
g·kg
−1
·d
−1
(weight gain 4.8 ± 0.9
g.kg
−1
·d
−1
; weight maintain 2.8 ± 0.7
g·kg
−1
·d
−1
; weight loss 2. 6 ± 0.7
g·kg
−1
·d
−1
). The energy and carbohydrate intakes are
similar to published intakes among rugby union players. There were significant
differences in energy intake and the percent of energy from protein between the
weight gain and the weight loss group.