The Validity of Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)-Prediction Equations and Reliability of Measured RMR in Female Athletes

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(2): 886-897, 2019. The aim of the current study was to; 1) assess the test-retest reliability of an indirect calorimetry analyzer (Parvo Medics TrueOne), and 2) compare measured RMR with three RMR-predictive (pRMR) equations in female athletes. In part one, 12 recreationally-exercising women (mean ± SD; age 27.5 ± 12.3 y) performed two RMR assessments, on separate days, utilising the Parvo Medics TrueOne analyser. In part two, 25 recreationally-exercising women to sub-elite athletes (mean ± SD; age 30.1 ± 10.2 y) underwent an RMR assessment using the Parvo Medics TrueOne analyser, which was compared to three calculated pRMR equations (Harris-Benedict (H-B) , Mifflin-St Jeor (M), World Health Organisation (WHO)). eTest-retest reliability for the TrueOne analyser was deemed acceptable (CV = 5.3%, ICC = 0.92). The validity of pRMR when compared to measured RMR showed low levels of agreement in all 3 predictive equations (M: CV = 21.4%, TEE = 269 kcal.day-1, r = 0.16, WHO: CV = 21.5%, TEE = 270 kcal.day-1, r = 0.13 H-B: CV = 21.6%, TEE = 270 kcal.day-1, r = 0.13). The Parvo Medics TrueOne analyser is a reliable tool for measuring RMR. Caution should be taken when using pRMR equations in female athletes as they do not take into account the likely differences in fat free mass in these populations

The influence of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on perceived nutrition & training habits in rugby union players

Introduction: The global spread of COVID-19 has led to governments and local authorities implementing nationwidelockdowns to minimize the spread of the virus. In New Zealand, all non-essential businesses and services closed or restricted activities.Methods: Two surveys were distributed among Rugby Union players to establish (1) the influence of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on Rugby Union players’ perceived nutrition and training habits and (2) how perceived nutrition and training habits in Rugby Union players’ changed following relaxation of lockdown restrictions.Results: Of the 258 respondents who completed Survey 1 (84.1 male, 26.4 professional/semi-professional), 58 indicated living with family during lockdown. Total food intake was reported to be higher in 36 of respondents. Fruit and vegetable intake was lower (17) and packaged/convenience food intake higher (26) in a minority of respondents. In total, 106 respondents completed Survey 2 (84.9 male, 34.0 professional/semiprofessional). Of these, 72 prepared and 67 purchased their own food. Compared to during lockdown, motivation to train and exercise was greater in 58 of respondents following lockdown. Dieticians and nutritionists within clubs provided most nutrition information/knowledge to athletes however other unreliable sources were identified, such as social media and family members.Discussion: Due to the unprecedented and unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, literature concerning lockdowns on athletes’ nutrition and training habits is scarce. With matches and group training sessions cancelled and gyms, eating establishments and workplaces closed, Rugby Union athletes’ experienced significant disruption and changes to their daily lives.Take home message: The on-going pandemic has presented significant challenges for athletes concerning perceived nutrition and training habits. Coaches and performance staff should ensure athletes’ receive appropriate and reliable nutritional and training support whilst being aware of the unique demands the individuals’ may face

Daily protein distribution patterns in professional and semi-professional male Rugby Union players

Recent research in healthy adults suggests an even distribution of protein throughout the day may result in greater stimulation of muscle protein synthesis compared to a disproportionate intake, with 0.4g.kg per meal at a minimum of 4 eating occasions proposed to optimise anabolism. In rugby players, this may be of benefit to exercise adaptations, recovery, and performance. In the present study, semi-professional forwards (n = 19), semiprofessional backs (n = 6) and professional (n = 10) rugby players recorded dietary intake for seven days. Both absolute (g) and relative to body mass (g.kg) protein intake was calculated across six eating occasions. Relative protein intake at breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack, dinner and evening snack were 0.3, 0.1, 0.4, 0.2, 0.6 and 0.1g.kg, respectively. Total protein intake was significantly different between groups (p < 0.05). All groups demonstrated differences in protein intake between eating occasions (p < 0.01). Protein intake was highest at dinner in all athletes, with professionals consuming significantly greater protein than semi-professionals. Rugby players do not appear to meet the recommended per-meal protein dose of 0.4g.kg at a minimum of 4 eating occasions. Consumption of additional protein outside of main eating occasions as snacks may be beneficial to optimise muscle protein synthesis stimulation and thus adaptation, recovery and performance

Application of a nutrition support protocol to encourage optimisation of nutrient intake in provincial academy rugby union athletes in New Zealand: practical considerations and challenges from a team-based case study

Provincial academies represent an important bridge between amateur and professional level rugby union in New Zealand. Athletes are provided with professional-level coaching; however, limited direct nutrition support is available. Congested training schedules and the requirement to work or study due to a lack of financial support may present a challenge towards athletes meeting nutrition requirements. The aim of the study was to facilitate improvement in nutrient intake, body composition and subjective well-being in provincial academy athletes via the implementation of a nutrition-support protocol based around behaviour change techniques. Significant increases in total energy (pre: 2492 ± 762 kcal; post: 2614 ± 625 kcal), relative energy (pre: 24.4 ± 7.5 kcal·kg; 25.5 ± 6.0 kcal·kg), total protein (pre: 131.1 ± 41.8 g; 153.8 ± 37.1 g) and relative protein (pre: 1.3 ± 0.4 g·kg; post: 1.5 ± 0.3 g·kg) were observed. Furthermore, changes in subjective sleep quality, stress, mood and upper body soreness were observed following the intervention. No changes were observed in body composition, carbohydrate or fat intake. Significant variability in nutrition and body composition changes highlights the importance of applying an individualised approach to nutrition support provision in developmental athletes. Practitioners working within these environments should be aware of the challenges and influences contributing to athletes’ nutrition choices and habits

Full-time nutrition practitioner support may positively influence meal distribution of dietary protein in provincial academy rugby union athletes

Introduction: Nutrition is an important consideration for optimising health, well-being, performance, recovery, and injury risk in rugby union athletes. Emerging evidence suggests the timing of meals and thus nutrient intake may be particularly important for modulating these factors. An even distribution of 0.4g‧kg‧meal dietary protein across 4-6 meals is suggested to optimise skeletal muscle hypertrophy and re-modelling and facilitate the meeting of broad daily requirements. Despite this, developmental provincial rugby athletes often receive minimal support from qualified practitioners which may negatively influence dietary habits and food choices. Methods: Ten provincial academy rugby players (age: 20.7 ± 1.7 years, body mass: 103.3 ± 18.8kg, height: 186.8 ± 9.1cm) engaged in support protocol whereby they received full-time practitioner support. The support protocol was informed by behaviour change techniques and involved group and individual-level engagement, accounting for individual lifestyles, position demands and body composition goals. Dietary intake was estimated on a training and non-training day weekly across a 4-week pre-intervention and 4-week post-intervention period at six daily eating occasions. The remote food-photography method (MealLogger, Wellness Foundry, Ashburn, VA) was used to collect dietary intake information that was subsequently analysed (FoodWorks, Version 10.0.4266, Xyris Software, Australia) for protein intake. Results: Protein intake were greater at ‘Breakfast’ (pre: 0.28 ± 0.22g.kg; post: 0.40 ± 0.20g.kg), ‘AM Snack’ (pre: 0.06 ± 0.13g.kg; post: 0.10 ± 0.15g.kg), ‘Lunch’ (pre: 0.34 ± 0.22g.kg; post: 0.38 ± 0.24g.kg) and ‘Evening Snack’ (pre: 0.03 ± 0.09g.kg; post: 0.08 ± 0.16g.kg) in response to the intervention. Discussion: Consumption of dietary protein increased at multiple eating occasions following intervention towards the proposed 0.4g‧kg‧meal, suggesting short-term practitioner presence may assist athletes optimise eating patterns. As significant eating habit changes are unlikely to occur in a short-time frame, future research should explore the impact of practitioner support in athletes over a prolonged period. Take home message: Clubs and governing bodies are encouraged to provide full-time practitioner support to developmental athletes to ensure eating habits are conducive to supporting health, performance, and recovery

Successful Tactics for Introducing New Databases to CDC Library Patrons: A Case Study

When libraries subscribe to new resources, encouraging patrons’ adoption of these services can be challenging. Moreover, when the resource offers access to a service or information type that is relatively unknown amongst patrons, such as altmetrics, the challenge is even greater. Altmetrics are data from the social web that can be used to track discussions and reuse of scientific outputs (journal articles, books, data sets, presentations, and beyond) across a variety of platforms like news outlets, scholarly peer review websites, social media, scholarly reference managers, and public policy documents. Promoting, consulting and conducting workshops are just some of the methods that libraries stimulate use of new resources. Some approaches work better than others. In this paper, we discuss the joint approach of the Stephen B. Thacker Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Library training team and Altmetric to promote the use of an altmetrics database, Altmetric Explorer for Institutions, amongst CDC staff. These organizations worked together closely to offer training and consultations, each with complementary approaches