The Correlation Between Macronutrient And Iron Intake And Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among Rugby Athletes Of UNESA Student Activity Unit
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Cardiorespiratory fitness or VO2 max is an important component in supporting the performance of rugby athletes who require high endurance, but nutritional imbalances are still often found among athletes. This study aims to analyze the relationship between macro nutrient intake and iron intake with physical fitness (cardiorespiratory) among athletes of the Surabaya State University Rugby Club. This study used a quantitative cross-sectional design involving 33 athletes. Macronutrient intake was obtained through a 2x24-hour food recall, iron intake was measured using the Iron-Semi Quantitaive Food Frequency Questionnaire (Iron-SQFFQ), and physical fitness was measured using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1). The average energy intake of athletes was 2040 ± 457.9 kcal/day, protein 88.3 ± 15.9 g/day, fat 78.2 ± 15.4 g/day, and carbohydrate intake 248.4 ± 75.8 g/day. The average iron intake was 13.7 ± 5.05 mg/day, with most athletes falling into the good category (81.8%). The average VO2 max value of the athletes was 45.0 ± 4.63 ml/kgBW/minute, with the dominant category being sufficient to very good. Data analysis used Spearman's rank correlation test. The correlation test results showed that energy intake (p= 0.008; r=0.451), fat intake (p= 0.004; r= 0.488), and iron intake (p= 0.008; r=0.451) were significantly related significantly with physical fitness, while protein intake (p= 0.133; r=0.267) and carbohydrate intake (p= 0.801; r=0.046) did not show a significant relationship. It was concluded that adequate energy, fat, and iron intake are related to the cardiorespiratory fitness of rugby athletes.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
Aliman, R., Atiq, A., Haetami, M., Yunitaningrum, W., & Azazi. (2023). VO₂ max level (Maximum Oxygen Volume) of Sepak Takraw Randa athletes. Jurnal Dunia Pendidikan, 3(1).
Almatsier, S. (2015). Basic Principles of Nutrition (9th ed.). Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Amin, N., Sabaruddin, G., & Kamaluddin, A. (2023). General concepts of population and sample in research. Jurnal Pilar, 14(1).
Baranauskas, M., Kupčiūnaitė, I., & Stukas, R. (2023). Dietary intake of protein and essential amino acids for sustainable muscle development in elite male athletes. Nutrients, 15(18), 4003. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15184003
Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S. L., Hunwicks, R., & Twist, C. (2021). Concurrent validity of a rugby-specific Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (level 1) for assessing match-related running performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002621
El Ghina, M. F., Widawati, W., & Lestari, R. R. (2023). Energy intake, protein, nutritional status, and VO₂ max of futsal athletes at MAN 1 Pekanbaru. Jurnal Ilmu Gizi dan Dietetik, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.25182/jigd.2023.2.3.175-181
Gröber, U. (2009). Micronutrients: Metabolic tuning – prevention – therapy. Drug Metabolism and Drug Interactions, 24(2–4). https://doi.org/10.1515/dmdi.2009.24.2-4.331
Gropper, S. (2021). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Hall, J. E., & Hall, M. E. (2021). Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology (14th ed.). Elsevier.
Hasniyati, R., Hasneli, H., & Rahmi, N. F. (2022). Analysis of macro and micronutrient intake on athletes’ physical fitness. Jurnal Aisyah: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v8i1.1366
Holway, F. E., Campa, F., Petri, C., Spena, L. R., & Szydlowski, N. Y. (2024). Kinanthropometry and dietary habits of non-professional rugby players. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1439358
Ichsanudin, A. M. P., Hamdani, M. F. H., Prakoso, M. L. T., Nugraha, S. S., & Fu’adin, A. (2024). Students’ perspectives on the importance of exercise for health. Pubmedia Jurnal Pendidikan Olahraga, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.47134/jpo.v1i2.283
Jegatheesan, S. L., Kumbamoorthy, S. S., Sanjaykumar, S., & Rajkumar, N. C. J. (2025). Unlocking the connection: hematological status, dietary iron intake and endurance in Indian female athletes. Physical Activity and Nutrition, 29(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.20463/pan.2025.0005
Jeppesen, J. S., Hellsten, Y., Melin, A. K., & Hansen, M. (2025). Short-term severe low energy availability in athletes: Molecular mechanisms, endocrine responses, and performance outcomes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 35(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70089
Kurniawan, D., Sunardi, & Waluyo. (2020). Survey of physical fitness levels of rugby athletes in Boyolali. Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan Universitas Sebelas Maret, 1(1).
Lesinski, M., Schmelcher, A., Herz, M., Puta, C., Gabriel, H., Arampatzis, A., Laube, G., Büsch, D., & Granacher, U. (2020). Maturation-, age-, and sex-specific anthropometric and physical fitness percentiles of German elite young athletes. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237423. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237423
Listianasari, Y., Gizi, J., Kesehatan, P., & Tasikmalaya, K. (2020). Iron intake, hemoglobin levels, and VO₂ max in football athletes in Sleman, Yogyakarta.
Luftimas, D. E., Lucita, A., Wiramihardja, S., & Rusmil, V. K. (2021). Validation of iron-food frequency questionnaire for assessing iron intake in women of reproductive age. Jurnal Gizi dan Pangan, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.25182/jgp.2021.16.2.63-70
Maulida, F., Hanum, F. N., & Arta, R. D. (2023). Relationship between macronutrient intake and physical fitness of athletes. Jurnal Gizi dan Kesehatan Indonesia, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.37887/jgki.v3i4.30143
Meir, R., Newton, R., Curtis, E., Fardell, M., & Butler, B. (2001). Physical fitness qualities of professional rugby league football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15(4).
Melin, A. K., Areta, J. L., Heikura, I. A., Stellingwerff, T., Torstveit, M. K., & Hackney, A. C. (2024). Direct and indirect impact of low energy availability on sports performance. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 34(1).
Morehen, J. C., & Close, G. (2022). Nutritional requirements for rugby players.
Naila Fitrah, F., & Desy Putriningtyas, N. (2024). Relationship between macronutrient intake and physical fitness of athletes.
Naufal Adipati Fawwaz, & Cleonara Yanuar Dini. (2025). Factors affecting eating behavior in non-elite athletes with macronutrient deficit.
Noakes, T. D. (2022). Evidence that dietary macronutrient composition influences exercise performance. Nutrients, 14(4).
Nolte, J., Kirmse, M., de Marées, M., & Platen, P. (2025). Effects of short-term low energy availability. Nutrients, 17(2).
Panggabean, M. S. (2020). The role of nutrition for athletes. Cdk-282, 47(1).
Pasa, W. N., Bahar, A., Mayasari, N. R., Dini, C. Y., Pratama, S. A., & Wahjuni, E. S. (2024). Relationship between iron intake and hemoglobin levels with VO₂ max. Jurnal Gizi Kerja dan Produktivitas, 5(1).
Peeling, P., et al. (2022). Iron and the athlete.
Piskin, E., et al. (2022). Iron absorption: Factors and improvement methods. ACS Omega, 7(24).
Posthumus, L., et al. (2020). Physical and fitness characteristics of rugby players. Sports, 8(6).
Radita Pramesti, & Satwika Arya Pratama. (2025). Relationship between macronutrient intake and body composition with physical fitness.
Rahmi, N. F. (2022). Analysis of macro and micronutrient intake on athletes’ fitness.
Roberts, C. J., & Gough, L. A. (2024). Dietary intake in rugby union players. Nutrients, 16(17).
Sa’adah, U., Hardiansyah, A., & Darmuin, D. (2023). Relationship between nutrition knowledge and macronutrient intake with physical fitness.
Sani, F. M., Rahmat, Z., & Sarwita, T. (2022). Evaluation of physical condition of rugby athletes.
Sitoayu, L., Yuslaili, N., & Kuswari, M. (2020). Relationship between iron intake, hemoglobin, and physical fitness.
Strasser, B., et al. (2021). Nutrition for older athletes. Nutrients, 13(5).
Sufyan Hidayat, W., et al. (2024). Physical condition of basketball athletes.
Sugiyono. (2022). Quantitative, qualitative and R&D research methods. Alfabeta.
Tasya, A., et al. (2025). Relationship between iron intake and nutrition knowledge with physical fitness.
Telisa, I., & Eliza, E. (2020). Macronutrient intake, iron intake, hemoglobin, and chronic energy deficiency risk.
Urahman, T., Ismawan, H., & Rifai, M. (2022). Survey of rugby athletes’ physical condition during COVID-19.
Wijaya, H. H., et al. (2024). Relationship between body fat, nutritional status, and VO₂ max.
Witard, O. C., Hearris, M., & Morgan, P. T. (2025). Protein nutrition for endurance athletes. Sports Medicine, 55(6).