Frontiers | Performance Variables and Nutritional Status Analysis from Moroccan Professional and Adolescent Football Players During the Competition Period: A Descriptive Study
Performance Variables and Nutritional Status Analysis from Moroccan Professional and Adolescent Football Players During the Competition Period: A Descriptive Study Frontiers
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Sports Act. Living
Sec. Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Volume 6 – 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1372381
This article is part of the Research Topic
Nutrition for Team and Individual Sport Athletes
Introduction
Nutrition plays an integral role in optimizing football players’ performance during training sessions and matches and maintaining their overall health throughout the season. This study aimed to evaluate how well the dietary practices of professional and adolescent football players in Morocco during the competitive period met international macronutrient recommendations, and to explore the relationship between their nutritional status and aerobic performance, as measured by the Yo-Yo IRL1 test.
Methods
A total of 277 footballers from Morocco’s professional league, ‘Botola-Pro’, were monitored over a seven-day (training microcycle) during the competitive period. The dietary intake was assessed through self-reported methods and 24-hour recalls. Relevant body composition was measured with bioelectrical impedance (BI), and aerobic performance was evaluated using the Yo-Yo IR test.
Results
The results indicated significant variations in performance and nutritional status across different categories and age groups. The nutritional status of the players didn’t match the UEFA recommendations (p < 0.001). We found that higher intake levels of carbohydrates and proteins were positively correlated with the total distance covered by the players (p < 0.001, r = 0.63, R² = 0.4 for carbohydrates; p < 0.001, r = 0.59, R² = 0.35 for proteins). Conversely, a higher proportion of energy derived from fats in the diet was negatively correlated with the distance covered (p < 0.001, r = -0.64, R² = 0.41). These findings suggest that optimizing carbohydrates and protein intake while managing fat consumption is crucial for enhancing sporting performance. This information is essential for tailoring training programs and nutritional regimens based on the competition level.
Keywords
aerobic performance, Nutritional Status, Football players, Competitive period, age groups
Received:
17 Jan 2024;
Accepted:
07 Oct 2024.
Copyright
© 2024 OUKHEDA, Lebrazi, Derouiche, Kettani, Saile and Taki. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Mourad OUKHEDA, Ben M’sik Faculty of Sciences, University of Hassan II Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the dietary practices of professional and adolescent football players and their nutritional status, which relates to the goal of ensuring access to nutritious food.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article explores the relationship between the nutritional status of football players and their aerobic performance, highlighting the importance of nutrition for overall health and well-being.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article emphasizes the need to optimize carbohydrate and protein intake while managing fat consumption, promoting responsible and balanced dietary practices.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons.
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 2.2.1: Prevalence of stunting (height for age <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age.
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
- Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index (FLI) and food waste index (FWI) per capita.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons. | Indicator 2.2.1: Prevalence of stunting (height for age <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. | Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index (FLI) and food waste index (FWI) per capita. |
Source: frontiersin.org
