Energy intake and expenditure of Japanese male soccer, long-distance running, and road cycling athletes across multiple teams.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the energy expenditure, intake, and balance of Japanese athletes to assess their intake of carbohydrate, protein, and fat as energy sources.

METHODS

Ninety male soccer players, long-distance runners, and road cyclists who belonged to multiple teams were included in this study. The study period covered one training day and one rest day. The energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes were assessed using food photographs and food records. Energy expenditure was calculated using metabolic equivalent and physical activity level based on practice questionnaires. Energy balance was calculated by subtracting the energy expenditure from the energy intake.

RESULTS

The median values (25th-75th percentile) for energy balance on training day were negative: soccer, -767 (-1,079-98) kcal/day; long-distance running, -367 (-907-169); and road cycling, -948 (-2,577-329). The median daily carbohydrate intake were 5.0 (4.3-6.2), 6.4 (5.2-7.1), and 8.3 (6.6-10.0) g/kg for soccer, long-distance running, and road cycling, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that the energy balance on training day may have been negative for the Japanese soccer players, long-distance runners, and road cyclists. Considering training time, carbohydrate intake was insufficient or tended to be insufficient compared to the recommended amounts for athletes. These findings should be incorporated into the development of nutritional support strategies.