Previous studies demonstrate that "under-fuelling" (i.e., reduced carbohydrate (CHO) and energy intake (EI) in relation to recommended guidelines) is prevalent within adult female soccer players, the consequence of which may have acute performance and chronic health implications. However, the dietary practices of adolescent female soccer players, a population who may be particularly at risk for the negative aspects of low energy availability (LEA), are not well documented. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify EI and CHO intake, physical loading and estimated energy availability (EA) in elite national team adolescent female soccer players ( = twenty-three; age, 17.9 ± 0.5 years) during a 10-day training and game schedule comprising two match days on day six (MDa) and nine (MDb). The players self-reported their EI via the remote food photography method, whilst the physical loading and associated exercise energy expenditure were assessed via GPS technology. The relative CHO intake was significantly greater (all < 0.05) on the day before the first match (MD-1a) (4.1 ± 0.8 g·kg), on the day before the second match (MD-1b) (4.3 ± 1.1 g·kg), MDa (4.8 ± 1.2 g·kg) and MDb (4.8 ± 1.4 g·kg) in comparison to most other days (<4 g·kg). The mean daily measured EA over the 10-day period was 34 ± 12 kcal·kg FFM·day (with six players, i.e., 34%, presenting LEA), though, when adjusting the energy intake for potential under-reporting, these values changed substantially (44 ± 14 kcal·kg FFM·day, only one player was classed as presenting LEA). Such data suggest that the prevalence of LEA amongst female team sport athletes may be over-estimated. Nonetheless, players are still likely under-fuelling for the work required in relation to the daily CHO recommendations (i.e., >6 g·kg) for intensive training and game schedules. These data provide further evidence for the requirement to create and deliver targeted player and stakeholder education and behaviour change interventions (especially for younger athletes) that aim to promote increased daily CHO intake in female soccer players.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10649861PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu15214508DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

female soccer
20
soccer players
20
physical loading
12
adolescent female
12
training game
12
cho intake
12
dietary practices
8
game schedule
8
energy availability
8
players
6

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!