Energy Intake and Expenditure of Professional Soccer Players of the English Premier League: Evidence of Carbohydrate Periodization

Abstract

In an attempt to better identify and inform the energy requirements of elite soccer players, we quantified the energy expenditure (EE) of players from the English Premier League (n = 6) via the doubly labeled water method (DLW) over a 7-day in-season period. Energy intake (EI) was also assessed using food diaries, supported by the remote food photographic method and 24 hr recalls. The 7-day period consisted of 5 training days (TD) and 2 match days (MD). Although mean daily EI (3186 ± 367 kcals) was not different from (p > .05) daily EE (3566 ± 585 kcals), EI was greater (p < .05) on MD (3789 ± 532 kcal; 61.1 ± 11.4 kcal.kg -1 LBM) compared with TD (2956 ± 374 kcal; 45.2 ± 9.3 kcal.kg -1 LBM, respectively). Differences in EI were reflective of greater (p < .05) daily CHO intake on MD (6.4 ± 2.2 g.kg -1 ) compared with TD (4.2 ± 1.4 g.kg -1 ). Exogenous CHO intake was also different (p < .01) during training sessions (3.1 ± 4.4 g.h -1 ) versus matches (32.3 ± 21.9 g.h -1 ). In contrast, daily protein (205 ± 30 g.kg -1 , p = .29) and fat intake (101 ± 20 g, p = .16) did not display any evidence of daily periodization as opposed to g.kg -1 , Although players readily achieve current guidelines for daily protein and fat intake, data suggest that CHO intake on the day before and in recovery from match play was not in accordance with guidelines to promote muscle glycogen storage.

Assessment of Energy Expenditure of a Professional Goalkeeper From the English Premier League Using the Doubly Labeled Water Method

“…When the two games per week schedule is taken into consideration, it is therefore unsurprising that the external training load (e.g. total distances of approximately 2 km) reported here is similar to those outfield players studied previously in the same micro-cycle 8 . In this regard, comparable markers of loading between positions are likely due to the fact that the outfield players have markedly reduced their training load when compared with the traditional one game per week schedule 5 .…”

“…However, at the present time he was under no guidance from either the nutritionist or any of the teams support staff with regards to his nutritional nutritional intake. Interestingly, CHO intakes were increased from training (approximately 2.5 g.kg -1 body mass) to match days (3.5 g.kg -1 body mass), but not to as greater extent of the CHO periodisation strategies practiced by outfield players who increase their CHO intake on match days to > 6 g.kg -1 per day 8 . It is difficult to ascertain if the CHO strategy adopted by the GK studied here is conducive to optimal performance and hence further studies are required to examine the effects of specific dietary interventions on performance indices specific to elite GKs.…”

“…Our data demonstrate that the average daily EE of a professional GK during a two game per week in-season microcycle is <2900 kcal.d -1 . When considered in combination with the lower weekly accumulative locomotive loads compared with the outfield players 8 , our direct assessment of EE suggests that the nutritional requirements of GKs and outfield positions may not be readily comparable. Indeed, this player self-selected a low CHO daily intake (2.5-3.5 g.kg -1 body mass), the magnitude of which would not be considered optimal for the physical performance of outfield players.…”

“…Data collection was conducted during a 7-day in-season period of the 2015-2016 English Premier League season. Body composition (dual energy absorptiometry, DXA), training load (GPS device), match load (Prozone), EE (DLW) and energy and macronutrient intakes (using food diaries supported by the remote food photographic method and 24-h recalls) were all collected and analysed as described previously by Anderson et al 8,9 However, although the same methods were used for data collection, a specific GK global positioning system (GPS) device was used to assess external training load (GPS; Optimeye G5; firmware version 717; Catapult Sports, Australia). An additional variable of PlayerLoad TM was included for analysis that presents an arbitrary unit derived from the tri-axial accelerometer that measures instantaneous change in acceleration 4 .…”

Nutritional Status, Oxidant/Antioxidant and Inflammatory Markers in Scholar Athletes Adolescents

“…This proportion was lower than that recommended for athletes under growing process and daily practice, to maximize muscular glycogen storage, carbohydrates should comprise 45% to 65% of total energy intake for 4-to 18-year-olds [27], in average of 6 to 10g/kg/day [28]. So, Anderson et al [29] suggested that although professional Soccer players readily achieve current guidelines for daily protein and fat intake, carbohydrates intake on the day before and in recovery from match play was not in accordance with guidelines to promote muscle glycogen storage.…”