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Body composition and nutritional assessments in soccer
1Department de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Ciencies, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition
|June 24, 1998
Summary
Soccer players exhibit diverse physical traits and energy needs. Carbohydrate supplements may enhance performance, but further research is required for amino acid and creatine benefits in soccer.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Nutritional Science
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Soccer players' physical characteristics and nutritional needs are crucial for performance.
- Understanding energy expenditure and dietary intake is vital for optimizing training and competition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on soccer players' physical attributes, energy demands, and dietary patterns.
- To evaluate the impact of nutritional supplements on soccer performance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on soccer players' anthropometrics, energy expenditure, and diet.
- Analysis of research on the efficacy of carbohydrate, amino acid, and creatine supplementation.
Main Results:
- Soccer players are typically mesomorphs with varying body fat percentages (males ~10%, females ~21%).
- Daily energy expenditure averages around 4,000 kcal for males, with reported intake near 3,700 kcal.
- Dietary intake comprises approximately 53% carbohydrates, 30% fat, 14% protein, and some alcohol.
Conclusions:
- Carbohydrate supplementation shows potential benefits for soccer performance.
- More research is needed to confirm the effects of branched-chain amino acid and creatine supplementation in soccer players.