Stephanie Roe

Abstract

Introduction: Physical and nutritional behaviours among female cricketers have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to estimate energy intake (EI), total energy expenditure (TEE), macronutrient and fluid intake in elite and highly trained female cricketers over 24-hour periods across 50-over home fixtures. Methods: Ten elite and highly trained female cricketers (age 24.1 ± 4.9 years; body mass 73.8 ± 7.8 kg; stature 171.3 ± 3.2 cm) were observed over three 50-over home matches. Body composition was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. EI was assessed through a combination of food photography and weighing of food intake. Resting metabolic rate was measured using indirect calorimetry, physical activity was monitored using accelerometry, and thermic effect of food was estimated; therefore, TEE was inferred. Results: The mean daily EI, TEE and resulting energy balance (EB) were 2558 ± 622 kcal·day

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Background Despite the importance of evidence-based nutrition in elite football, Premier League players often exhibit sub-optimal dietary behaviours, highlighting the need for improved guideline implementation. Purpose This study used the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore sport nutritionists’ perceived barriers and enablers to applying the UEFA Consensus Statement on Nutrition. Method Twelve lead sport nutritionists from English Premier League clubs took part in semi-structured interviews (1 hour ± 44 mins). The interviews were structured using the COM-B and TDF and analysed thematically. Results Six key themes were identified, representing six barriers and two enablers, encompassing all three components of the COM-B model and seven TDF domains. Psychological capability barriers included challenges in changing players’ dietary behaviours. Reflective motivation was hindered by doubts regarding the scientific basis of carbohydrate and body composition guidelines, alongside concerns over players’ ability to practically adhere to carbohydrate recommendations. Physical and social opportunity barriers involved restricted time and support for ongoing personal and professional development. Practitioners desired greater autonomy over the nutrition service, which was either enabled or constrained by the club’ social environment. As an enabler, female practitioners’ strong interpersonal skills (psychological capability) supported implementation; however, they also faced gender-related challenges navigating male predominate environments, making the social opportunity for implementation more complex. Conclusion Implementing nutrition guidelines in elite football is challenging. Overcoming barriers-by boosting practitioner confidence, belief in guidelines, professional development support, and autonomy-is key to improving uptake of UEFA recommendations and enhancing player dietary adherence in the English Premier League.

Background Adolescent male academy footballers often fail to meet nutritional recommendations, placing them at increased risk of compromised growth, health, and performance. Guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel, this study aimed to select and specify dietary behaviours to underpin a sport nutrition service within an English Football League Championship academy. Two Nominal Group Technique (NGT) workshops (mean duration = 2 h 20 min) were conducted with four experienced sport nutritionists, three of whom were currently employed at the club, and one recently employed. Participants generated, ranked, and refined behaviours through structured group discussion, and a follow-up questionnaire. Audio data were descriptively analysed to provide contextual insight into behaviour selection and prioritisation. Results Twenty-four behaviours were generated, from which a prioritised top 10 were identified. The three highest-ranked behaviours were: (1) consuming ≥ 3 main meals (≥ 900 kcal or 13 kcal·kg⁻¹) and 2 snacks daily (≥ 350 kcal or 5 kcal·kg⁻¹); (2) consuming ≥ 3 carbohydrate portions (40–50 g or 0.5–0.75 g·kg⁻¹) per main meal, and ≥ 1 per snack; and (3) consuming a protein portion (25–30 g or 0.4 g·kg⁻¹) at ≥ 4 eating occasions daily. Collectively, these behaviours formed the “meal frequency and portion size guidance.” Additional behaviours ranked within the top 10 included fruit and vegetable intake, attendance at club-provided meals, hydration practices, and cooking from the club recipe app. Practitioners reported challenges conceptualising behaviours, often defaulting to macronutrient prescriptions, and found prioritisation difficult given the number of valuable behaviours identified. Nonetheless, the iterative NGT process facilitated consensus and provided actionable, evidence-based nutritional guidance. Conclusion This study demonstrates the suitability of the NGT for co-producing and prioritising dietary behaviours in male academy footballers. The approach effectively structured practitioner insights to identify priority areas for sport nutrition service delivery. However, the time-intensive nature of the behavioural analysis highlights the need for greater behavioural science capability within sport nutrition practice. Defining what athletes should do, rather than just focusing solely on nutrient-based prescriptions, is essential for designing effective, theory-informed behavioural interventions. These findings provide a foundation for designing targeted interventions to support the health, wellbeing, and performance of male academy footballers.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the total energy expenditure (TEE) of international female rugby union players. Fifteen players were assessed over 14-days throughout an international multi-game tournament, which represented two consecutive one-match microcycles. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and TEE were assessed by indirect calorimetry and doubly labelled water, respectively. Physical activity level (PAL) was estimated (TEE:RMR). Mean RMR, TEE, and PAL were 6.60 ± 0.93 MJ.day-1, 13.51 ± 2.28 MJ.day-1 and 2.0 ± 0.3 AU, respectively. There was no difference in TEE (13.74 ± 2.31 vs. 13.92 ± 2.10 MJ.day-1; p = 0.754), or PAL (2.06 ± 0.26 AU vs. 2.09 ± 0.23 AU; p = 0.735) across microcycles, despite substantial decreases in training load (total distance: -8088 m, collisions: -20 n, training duration: -252 min). After correcting for body composition, there was no difference in TEE (13.80 ± 1.74 vs. 13.16 ± 1.97 adj. MJ.day-1, p = 0.190), RMR (6.49 ± 0.81 vs. 6.73 ± 0.83 adj. MJ.day-1, p = 0.633) or PAL (2.15 ± 0.14 vs 1.87 ± 0.26 AU, p = 0.090) between forwards and backs. For an injured participant (n = 1), TEE reduced by 1.7 MJ.day-1 from pre-injury. For participants with illness (n = 3), TEE was similar to pre-illness (+0.49 MJ.day-1). The energy requirements of international female rugby players were consistent across one-match microcycles. Forwards and backs had similar adjusted energy requirements. These findings are critical to inform the dietary guidance provided to female rugby players.

Abstract

This is the first study to assess longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players. Thirteen forwards and 11 backs were tested three times over a 10-month period. Assessments included: standing height and body mass, body composition measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a blood panel, resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessed by indirect calorimetry, aerobic capacity (i.e., VLO 2 max) evaluated by an incremental treadmill test, and isometric force production measured by a force plate. During the pre-season phase, lean mass increased significantly by ∼2% for backs (testing point 1: 47 kg; testing point 2: 48 kg) and forwards (testing point 1: 50 kg; testing point 2: 51 kg) (p = ≤ 0.05). Backs significantly increased their VLO 2 max by 22% from testing point 1 (40 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ) to testing point 3 (49 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ) (p = ≤ 0.04). The VLO 2 max of forwards increased by 10% from testing point 1 (41 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ) to testing point 3 (45 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ), however this change was not significant (p = ≥ 0.05). Body mass (values represent the range of means across the three testing points) (backs: 68 kg; forwards: 77-78 kg), fat mass percentage (backs: 25-26%; forwards: 30-31%), resting metabolic rate (backs: 7 MJ·day −1 ; forwards: 7 MJ·day −1 ), isometric mid-thigh pull (backs: 2106-2180 N; forwards: 2155-2241 N), isometric bench press (backs: 799-822 N; forwards: 999-1024 N), isometric prone row (backs: 625-628 N; forwards: 667-678 N) and bloods (backs: ferritin 21-29 ug/L, haemoglobin 137-140 g/L, iron 17-21 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferring saturation 23-28%; forwards: ferritin 31-33 ug/L, haemoglobin 141-145 g/L, iron 20-23 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferrin saturation 26-31%) did not change (p = ≥ 0.05). This study provides novel longitudinal data which can be used to better prepare women rugby league players for the unique demands of their sport, underpinning female athlete health.

This is the first study to assess longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players. Thirteen forwards and 11 backs were tested three times over a 10-month period. Assessments included: standing height and body mass, body composition measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a blood panel, resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessed by indirect calorimetry, aerobic capacity (i.e.,V˙O2max) evaluated by an incremental treadmill test, and isometric force production measured by a force plate. During the pre-season phase, lean mass increased significantly by ~2% for backs (testing point 1: 47 kg; testing point 2: 48 kg) and forwards (testing point 1: 50 kg; testing point 2: 51 kg) (p = ≤ 0.05). Backs significantly increased their V˙O2max by 22% from testing point 1 (40 ml kg-1 min-1) to testing point 3 (49 ml kg-1 min-1) (p = ≤ 0.04). The V˙O2max of forwards increased by 10% from testing point 1 (41 ml kg-1 min-1) to testing point 3 (45 ml kg-1 min-1), however this change was not significant (p = ≥ 0.05). Body mass (values represent the range of means across the three testing points) (backs: 68 kg; forwards: 77–78 kg), fat mass percentage (backs: 25–26%; forwards: 30–31%), resting metabolic rate (backs: 7 MJ day-1; forwards: 7 MJ day-1), isometric mid-thigh pull (backs: 2106–2180 N; forwards: 2155–2241 N), isometric bench press (backs: 799–822 N; forwards: 999–1024 N), isometric prone row (backs: 625–628 N; forwards: 667–678 N) and bloods (backs: ferritin 21–29 ug/L, haemoglobin 137–140 g/L, iron 17–21 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferring saturation 23–28%; forwards: ferritin 31–33 ug/L, haemoglobin 141–145 g/L, iron 20–23 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferrin saturation 26–31%) did not change (p = ≥ 0.05). This study provides novel longitudinal data which can be used to better prepare women rugby league players for the unique demands of their sport, underpinning female athlete health.

To establish the criterion-assessed energy and fluid requirements of female netball players, 13 adult players from a senior Netball Super League squad were assessed over 14 days in a cross-sectional design, representing a two- and one-match microcycle, respectively. Total energy expenditure (TEE) and water turnover (WT) were measured by doubly labeled water. Resting and activity energy expenditure were measured by indirect calorimetry and Actiheart, respectively. Mean 14-day TEE was 13.46 ± 1.20 MJ day−1 (95% CI, 12.63–14.39 MJ day−1). Resting energy expenditure was 6.53 ± 0.60 MJ day−1 (95% CI, 6.17–6.89 MJ day−1). Physical activity level was 2.07 ± 0.19 arbitrary units (AU) (95% CI, 1.95–2.18 AU). Mean WT was 4.1 ± 0.9 L day−1 (95% CI, 3.6–4.7 L day−1). Match days led to significantly greater TEE than training (+2.85 ± 0.70 MJ day−1; 95% CI, +1.00– +4.70 MJ day−1; p = 0.002) and rest (+4.85 ± 0.70 MJ day−1; 95% CI, +3.13–+6.56 MJ day−1; p < 0.001) days. Matches led to significantly greater energy expenditure (+1.85 ± 1.27 MJ; 95% CI, +0.95–+2.76 MJ day−1; p = 0.001) than court-based training sessions. There was no significant difference in TEE (+0.03 ± 0.35 MJ day−1; 95% CI, −0.74–+0.80 MJ day−1; p = 0.936) across weeks. Calibrated Actiheart 5 monitors underestimated TEE (−1.92 ± 1.21 MJ day−1). Energy and fluid turnover were greatest on match days, followed by training and rest days, with no difference across weeks. This study provides criterion-assessed energy and fluid requirements to inform dietary guidance for female netball players.