title: Dietary and performance assessment of elite soccer players during a period of intense training.
abstract: This study examined the nutritional and performance status of elite soccer players during intense training. Eight male players (age 17+/-2 years) of the Puerto Rican Olympic Team recorded daily activities and food intake over 12 days. Daily energy expenditure was 3,833+/-571 (SD) kcal, and energy intake was 3,952+/-1,071 kcal, of which 53.2+/-6.2% (8.3 g x kg BW(-1)) was from carbohydrates (CHO), 32.4+/-4.0% from fat, and 14.4+/-2.3% from protein. With the exception of calcium, all micronutrients examined were in accordance with dietary guidelines. Body fat was 7.6+/-1.1% of body weight. Time to completion of three runs of the soccer-specific test was 37.65+/-0.62 s, and peak torques of the knee flexors and extensors at 60 degrees x s(-1) were 139+/-6 and 225+/-9 N x m, respectively. Players' absolute amounts of CHO seemed to be above the minimum recommended intake to maximize glycogen storage, but calcium intakes were below recommended. Their body fat was unremarkable, and they had a comparatively good capacity to endure repeated bouts of intense soccer-specific exercise and to exert force with their knee extensors and flexors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, University of California, Davis, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rico-Sanz
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Frontera
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Molé
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rivera-Brown
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Meredith
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012916:Soccer / Q000193:education / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients; D006003:Glycogen