Soccer presents a metabolic challenge which is not necessarily matched by players' habitual dietary intake. To examine the effects of a bespoke diet, 22 players completed the Ball Sport Endurance and Sprint Test (BEAST) protocol, followed by 4 days of regulated nutritional intake. The diet consisted of 10 g∙kg body mass (BM) and 1.7 g∙kg BM of carbohydrate and protein, respectively. On day 5, players followed a prematch nutritional strategy of 7 g∙kg BM of carbohydrate and 1 g∙kg BM of protein divided into three meals and then repeated the BEAST. The players' pre-intervention intake consisted of 49 ± 7.1% or 3.5 g ± 1.0 g∙kg BM for carbohydrate and 19 ± 3.8% of total daily energy intake or 1.3 g ± 0.5 g∙kg BM for protein. Following the tailor-made dietary intervention, players ran an additional 887 ± 233 m (8.1%; d = 2.4). An acute dietary intervention provided a positive effect on a valid simulated soccer match play test.

This review examines the issues surrounding soccer nutrition, including the nature of the game, training, and how nutrition can play a significant role in improving player performance and recovery. In soccer match-play, a total distance covered of up to 13 km is characterised by an acyclical and intermittent activity profile. The aerobic system is highly taxed, with average heart rates of ~ 85% of maximal values, and the finite muscle glycogen stores represent a key aspect of the interface between training, performance and nutritional support. Diets with high CHO content can optimise muscle glycogen, reduce net glycogen depletion, delay the onset of fatigue, and improve soccer performance. It is more common, however, for players to consume an excessive amount of protein in their daily diet perpetuating the popular belief that additional protein increases strength and enhances performance. More comprehensive recommendations suggest that soccer players should consume a high CHO diet from nutrient-rich complex CHO food sources that ranges from a minimum of 7 to 10 g/kg BM and up to 12 g/kg BM on match or heavy training days. Unfortunately, players often have a low energy intake, which can lead to negative energy balance, especially at times of schedule congestion. In many cases, soccer players often consume diets that are not very different from those of the general public. Therefore, despite a clear understanding of the physiological demands of soccer, and the association between nutritional preparation and performance, the dietary habits of soccer players are often characterised by a lack of education and misinformed sporting traditions. This review discusses the potential barriers and various nutritional phases that need to be considered for training, pre, on the day of, and post-match to enable players and coaches to be more aware of the need to achieve more optimal macronutrient nutrition.

Physical Inactivity is considered a key global risk factor for non-communicable diseases and premature mortality. In its 2017 global action plan, the World Health Organization (WHO) committed to reducing inactivity by 10% by 2025, representing a call-to-action for researchers worldwide to further explore physical activity (PA) trends in applied real world contexts. While research in Malta has revealed some valuable insights about PA among children and youths in compulsory education settings, less is known about the early adulthood years and the effect of higher education settings on PA habits. A cross-sectional survey design, and mixed methods approach to analysis was therefore developed to investigate PA trends among students and staff at MCAST, in light of various international trends and existing organizational structures at the college, namely, the effects of the provision and organization of facilities and activities on campus. The results show that 44% of students and staff at MCAST achieve WHO recommendations, while controlling for the effects of sports students’ PA levels the rate fell to 31% among the remaining student population, and 36% among staff. The achievement of PA recommendations was generally reflective of international trends in college and university settings, while the data on facility-use and activity-participation among various stratifications of students and staff are presented in the findings as a detailed model for assisting prospective development of more relevant, engaging, and effective PA-related initiatives and policies at MCAST.