Affiliations 

  • 1 Intra Performance Group, London, UK
  • 2 School of Medicine, St Andrews University, St Andrews, UK
  • 3 School of Sports Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
  • 4 Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • 5 Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
  • 6 Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • 7 Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
  • 8 Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • 9 Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
  • 10 Athlete Care and Performance, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Washington, DC, USA
  • 11 Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • 12 Department of Sports Medicine, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
  • 13 Department of Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
  • 14 Mexican Football Federation, Mexico City, Mexico
  • 15 FC Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • 16 Dutch Olympic Team, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 17 Research and Human Performance Lab, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland
  • 18 University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
  • 19 Technical Directorate, Football Association, Burton upon Trent, UK
  • 20 Medical Committee, UEFA, Nyon, Switzerland
  • 21 Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • 22 Medical & Anti-doping, UEFA, Nyon, Switzerland
  • 23 Performance and Research Team, Arsenal Football Club, London, UK amccall@arsenal.co.uk
Br J Sports Med, 2021 Apr;55(8):416.
PMID: 33097528 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101961

Abstract

Football is a global game which is constantly evolving, showing substantial increases in physical and technical demands. Nutrition plays a valuable integrated role in optimising performance of elite players during training and match-play, and maintaining their overall health throughout the season. An evidence-based approach to nutrition emphasising, a 'food first' philosophy (ie, food over supplements), is fundamental to ensure effective player support. This requires relevant scientific evidence to be applied according to the constraints of what is practical and feasible in the football setting. The science underpinning sports nutrition is evolving fast, and practitioners must be alert to new developments. In response to these developments, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has gathered experts in applied sports nutrition research as well as practitioners working with elite football clubs and national associations/federations to issue an expert statement on a range of topics relevant to elite football nutrition: (1) match day nutrition, (2) training day nutrition, (3) body composition, (4) stressful environments and travel, (5) cultural diversity and dietary considerations, (6) dietary supplements, (7) rehabilitation, (8) referees and (9) junior high-level players. The expert group provide a narrative synthesis of the scientific background relating to these topics based on their knowledge and experience of the scientific research literature, as well as practical experience of applying knowledge within an elite sports setting. Our intention is to provide readers with content to help drive their own practical recommendations. In addition, to provide guidance to applied researchers where to focus future efforts.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.