Anemia was defined as Hb level below 13 g/dl. Iron depletion was defined as ferritin level below 20 μg/L [23]. Hemolysis was defined as serum haptoglobin lower than the standard values reported by the commercial laboratory (SRL Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Statistical analysis The SPSS statistical software 17.0J (Chicago, IL) was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics included means and SD. One-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to examine whether or not each parameter was normally distributed. Logarithmic transformation of TG was used

to normalize the grossly skewed (p<0.05) distribution of this parameter. The mean differences among the three click here groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance. Scheffe’s test was used to identify specific significant differences when significant F values were identified. Two-sided p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The mean characteristics

of the subjects are shown in Table 1. The forwards had significantly higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, biceps brachii, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, sum of 4 skinfold thicknesses, % fat, and LBM than the backs and control group. The backs had significantly higher body weight, BMI, triceps brachii, sum of 4 skinfold thicknesses, % fat, and Selleckchem 4SC-202 LBM than the control group Table 1 Anthropometric characterics of rugby players and controls   Forward     Backs   Controls   (n=18)     (n=16)   (n=26) Age (yrs) 19.5 ± 0.9     19.5 ± 1.0   19.5 ± 1.1 Height (cm) 173.7 ± 5.9   † 171.2 ± 4.3   168.8 ± 6.9 Weight (kg) 87.3 ± 8.9 * † 72.6 ± 7.4 † 58.5 ± 6.1 BMI (kg/m 28.9 ± 2.5 * † 24.8 ± 2.0 † 20.5 ± 1.8 Waist (cm) Montelukast Sodium 89.5 ± 9.5 * † 78.7 ± 5.9   72.2 ± 5.3 Biceps brachii (mm) 8.9 ± 3.2 * † 6.5 ± 3.6   4.6 ± 0.7 Triceps brachii (mm) 17.0 ± 4.0   † 13.7 ± 4.5 † 9.7 ± 3.6 Subscapular (mm) 19.3 ± 6.1 * † 14.4 ± 5.1   11.0 ± 2.7 Suprailiac (mm) 20.9 ± 7.0 * † 11.6 ± 6.1   8.3 ± 2.2 4 skin in fold (mm) 66.1 ± 18.0 * † 46.3 ± 16.5 † 26.2 ± 8.1 % Fat 22.9

± 4.1 * † 18.8 ± 4.5 † 14.8 ± 2.4 LBM (kg) 68.3 ± 5.1 * † 59.7 ± 5.1 † 50.4 ± 5.2 Values are the mean ± SD. Abbreviations; BMI, body mass index; % Fat, Percentage of body fat; LBM, lean body mass. *p < 0.05 vs Backs. †p < 0.05 vs Controls. The mean daily nutrient intakes are shown in Table 2. Among the rugby players, nine were occasionally taking protein and/or multi-vitamin and mineral supplements. Because the inclusion of supplements did not alter the results, the results are presented without the supplements. The forwards had significantly higher mean intakes of energy, fat, carbohydrate, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B1 and B2 than the controls. The backs had significantly higher energy, carbohydrate, and magnesium intakes than the control group.