Nutritional perspectives in female soccer: a scoping review

Abstract

Background The purpose of the review was to evaluate the literature exploring nutritional habits and practices in female soccer players.Methods The PRISMA-ScR Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews were followed. Searches of Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases were conducted for studies exploring the nutritional habits and practices of female soccer players.Results A total of 72 studies were included in the scoping review. Studies on female soccer players mainly focused on daily energy expenditure, daily energy and macronutrient intake and hydration status. A negative energy balance was consistent across studies, and the ingestion of CHO appears below the current recommendations. Female soccer players are predominately in negative energy balance, which may indicate that they are at risk of low energy availability. A high use of nutritional supplements is apparent in female soccer, whilst a large proportion of players commence training dehydrated.Conclusions The current findings have implications for practitioners relating to the planning, management, monitoring, and implementation of nutritional intake and training and competition schedules.

Keywords

• Energy balance
• low energy availability
• carbohydrates
• women soccer