Wilson Lara, Jones Ben, Backhouse Susan H, Boyd Andy, Costello Nessan
Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
Scottish Rugby Union, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Feb;25(2):e12260. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.12260.
To critically evaluate sport nutrition services available to male and female international rugby unions. Fifteen participants, representing 16 international rugby unions, including nine female and seven male teams (one participant worked with both a female and male union), responded to an online survey. Twelve of the unions recruited were ranked in the top 10 globally by World Rugby. Twelve unions employed accredited nutrition practitioners with significant experience (> 5 years: n = 5; > 10 years: n = 4) and advanced qualifications (master's degrees: n = 8; doctorates: n = 2). Three unions did not employ a qualified nutrition practitioner (female: n = 2; male: n = 1). Full-time employment was more common among nutrition practitioners serving male (n = 4/5) versus female (n = 3/6) unions. Practitioners served male unions for more hours per week (42 ± 28) than female unions (24 ± 20). Practitioners were involved in sport science meetings (n = 14/15), anti-doping education, menu design, strategy development (n = 13/15), body composition assessments, individual consultations (n = 12/15), focusing on fuelling, recovery and injury rehabilitation (n = 14/15). Participants were "moderately confident" (n = 8/15) in using behaviour change techniques. Most participants agreed on the lack of female-specific nutrition guidance (n = 14/15), relying on guidance for male players due to limited evidence (n = 7/9). This study provides the first critical reflection of sport nutrition service delivery within international rugby. The findings highlight gender disparities for female players, with reduced applied support and a lack of female-specific guidelines. Recommendations include enhancing practitioner training in behaviour change, hiring qualified nutritionists, deemphasising body composition assessment, and conducting more research to improve nutrition services, especially for women.
批判性评估男女国际橄榄球联盟可获得的运动营养服务。15名参与者代表16个国际橄榄球联盟，其中包括9支女子队和7支男子队（1名参与者同时为一个女子联盟和一个男子联盟工作），他们回复了一项在线调查。招募的联盟中有12个在世界橄榄球联合会全球排名前10。12个联盟聘请了经验丰富（>5年：n = 5；>10年：n = 4）且资质较高（硕士学位：n = 8；博士学位：n = 2）的注册营养从业者。3个联盟未聘请合格的营养从业者（女子联盟：n = 2；男子联盟：n = 1）。在为男子联盟（n = 4/5）服务的营养从业者中，全职工作比为女子联盟（n = 3/6）服务的更为常见。从业者为男子联盟每周服务的时长（42±28）多于女子联盟（24±20）。从业者参与运动科学会议（n = 14/15）、反兴奋剂教育、菜单设计、策略制定（n = 13/15）、身体成分评估、个体咨询（n = 12/15），重点关注能量补充、恢复和损伤康复（n = 14/15）。参与者对使用行为改变技术 “中等自信”（n = 8/15）。大多数参与者一致认为缺乏针对女性的营养指导（n = 14/15），由于证据有限，依赖针对男性运动员的指导（n = 7/9）。本研究首次对国际橄榄球运动中的运动营养服务提供进行了批判性反思。研究结果凸显了女性运动员存在的性别差异，应用支持减少且缺乏针对女性的指南。建议包括加强从业者在行为改变方面的培训、聘请合格的营养师、减少对身体成分评估的重视，以及开展更多研究以改善营养服务，尤其是针对女性的服务。
