Author(s):
Abreu, Rodrigo ; Figueiredo, Pedro ; Beckert, Paulo ; Marques, José P. ; Amorim, Samuel ; Caetano, Carlos ; Carvalho, Pedro ; Sá, Carla ; Cotovio, Ricardo ; Cruz, Joana ; Dias, Tiago ; Fernandes, Gonçalo ; Gonçalves, Elton ; Leão, César ; Leitão, Alexandre ; Lopes, João ; Machado, Eduardo ; Neves, Mónica ; Oliveira, André ; Pereira, Ana I. ; Pereira, Bruno ; Ribeiro, Fernando ; Silva, Luis M. ; Sousa, Filipe ; Tinoco, Tânia ; Teixeira, Vitor H. ; Sousa, Monica ; Brito, João
Date: 2021
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/125612
Origin: Repositório Institucional da UNL
Subject(s): consensus; elite performance; soccer; sports and nutrition; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Description
Publisher Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Nutrition is an undeniable part of promoting health and performance among football (soccer) players. Nevertheless, nutritional strategies adopted in elite football can vary significantly depending on culture, habit and practical constraints and might not always be supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a group of 28 Portuguese experts on sports nutrition, sports science and sports medicine sought to discuss current practices in the elite football landscape and review the existing evidence on nutritional strategies to be applied when supporting football players. Starting from understanding football's physical and physiological demands, five different moments were identified: preparing to play, match-day, recovery after matches, between matches and during injury or rehabilitation periods. When applicable, specificities of nutritional support to young athletes and female players were also addressed. The result is a set of practical recommendations that gathered consensus among involved experts, highlighting carbohydrates periodisation, hydration and conscious use of dietary supplements.
