Energy balance
During COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, rugby union players experienced a significant reduction in training volume and access to equipment, leading to a mismatch between energy intake and expenditure, with 36% reporting increased total food intake despite reduced physical activity.
If you are an athlete facing a period of reduced training (like lockdown or injury), do not assume your appetite or intake will automatically decrease. The study shows a significant portion of players increased their food intake despite training less. To maintain body composition, you must actively monitor your total food intake and adjust it to match your reduced energy expenditure, focusing on maintaining protein intake to preserve lean mass.
Total food intake was reported to be higher in 36% of respondents... Many respondents engaged in regular training sessions (89.4% reported completing ≥3 sessions per week) however the shift from habitual practices likely resulted in a large reduction in daily energy expenditure.
Why this rating
The study relies on self-reported surveys from a specific, non-random sample of rugby players, lacking objective verification of intake or expenditure.
Source
The Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions on Perceived Nutrition Habits in Rugby Union Players
Charlie J. Roberts et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2020
DOI 10.3389/fnut.2020.589737
More from this paper
- Rugby union players during lockdown consumed high-biological-value protein sources less than twice daily, with 43.9% reporting consumption of such sources more than twice daily, which may be suboptimal for retaining lean mass during reduced training.Moderate
- Following the relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, rugby union players showed increased self-reliance in food purchasing and preparation, with 67% purchasing and 71% preparing their own food, and reported higher motivation to train compared to during lockdown.Moderate
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