Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in University Rugby Football Players

Abstract

Physical activity improves various metabolic disturbances. The effect of physical activity on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been defined, particularly in athletes who are able to consume a diet to increase body mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of NAFLD and associated factors of NAFLD among male university rugby football players [n = 69, 37 forwards (FW) and 32 backs (BK)], relative to age-matched controls (CON; n = 29). For FW players exercise consists of physical contact play, such as ruck, mall, scrum, and tackle. For BK players exercise consists of sprints and endurance running. Liver function tests and bioimpedance analysis to assess body composition were performed. Subjects consuming ≤ 20 g/day of ethanol and exhibiting an aspartate transaminase (AST) level ≥ 33 U/L, and/or alanine transaminase (ALT) level ≥ 43 U/L, were considered to have NAFLD. The PNPLA3 and MTP genotypes were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The body mass index, body fat mass, and lean body mass were significantly higher in the FW group than in the BK and CON groups (P < 0.05). The total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher in the FW group than in the CON group (P < 0.05). The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in the FW group than in the BK group and CON group (18.9, 8.6, and 0.0%, respectively), whereas there were non-significant between-group differences in the frequency of the PNPLA3 and MTP genotypes. These findings indicate that rugby football players, especially those in the FW position, are at higher risk of developing NAFLD, which emphasizes the role of diet and exercise in the development of NAFLD.

Fatness and thermoregulation of qualified rugby players

“…This can be explained by large skeletal muscle mass in our forwards. Anthropometric characteristics observed in Japanese forwards: BMI 29.1 (kg/m 2 ) (27.3-32.8 kg/m 2 ) and the body fat content 21.6% (16.1-28.5%) observed by Nirengi et al [18] also are close to our data.…”

“…This also gives evidence about overweight (BMI is between 25 and 30 kg/m 2 , [7,8], but body fat percent is in norm -below 19% [9]. The similar results in the back position rugby players from the A-League (the highest level of the local league in Japan, practicing six days per week, three hours per day) are detected by Nirengi et al [18]: BMI 25.3 (kg/m 2 ) (23.4-26.9 kg/m 2 ) and the body fat content 15.2% (10.6-19.7%).…”

“…Increased body fat percentage may be a reason of chronic diseases. For example, Nirengi et al [18] determined that the rugby players, especially those in the forwards position, are at higher risk of developing of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This can be explained by consuming of a diet to increase body mass.…”

WHtR may be a Better and Stronger Indictor for Fatty Liver: A Population-Based Cross-sectional Comparison Study of Anthropometric and Metabolic Indices for Identification Fatty Liver in China

“…Researches found that there were concordances between increased AIP and the incidence of FL [17,18]. TyG are often used to explore the relationship between insulin resistance and excessive visceral fat accumulation [38,39]. Additionally, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that advanced blood lipids, blood pressure and blood sugar could also lead to more severe histological changes and poorer clinical outcomes [14,22,40].…”

The Comparation of Anthropometric and Metabolic Indices in the Regulation and Prediction of Fatty Liver: a population-based cross-sectional study in China

“…WC, WHR and BMI have been proved and used in many clinical trials as an indicator of the severity of fatty liver disease [19,22]. BFM and VFA are often reported markers in athletes related articles or are used to explore the relationship between insulin resistance and excessive visceral fat accumulation [31,32]. Additionally, elevated data strongly suggests that advanced blood lipids, blood pressure and blood sugar could also be lead to more severe histological changes and poorer clinical outcomes [14,22,33].…”