Nutritional status and feeding habits in a professional soccer team

Despite soccer is the most popular sport on the planet, soccer player nutrition is certainly neglected. Physical activity requires a mixed use of the physiological systems for obtaining energy, requiring a complete intake of nutrients; and the role of carbohydrates in sports performance is well known. Objetivos: The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional intake of macronutrients in a professional soccer team. Material and methods: We carried out an epidemiological, descriptive and prospective study of a Spanish Second Division B team. They were 22 male players, with a mean age of 26.19 (19.5-31.6). We elaborated a protocol for collecting food eaten for 7 days, counting the macronutrient intake and quantifying the total energy expenditure, which varies depending on the training day and the player's position. Results: The global carbohydrates consumed was 305.07 +/- 56 gr (48.78% of calories). These values vary between the moderate activity day: 213.6 +/- 37 grams (39.93%) and the intense activity day: 361.84 +/- 28 grams (49.21%). We found significant differences in total carbohydrates based on daily activity. In addition, we found significant differences in the player height, their basal metabolic rate and total energy expenditure, between the positions of goalkeeper and advanced band player (p < 0.05). Discussion and conclusions: Both carbohydrate intake and the overall amount of calories consumed by the footballer are below the recommended standard (3600 kcal / day).