Iblasi Rand, Abualsaud Mahmoud, Amawi Adam Tawfiq, Ghazzawi Hadeel
Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Department of Sport Sciences, Jordan Football Association, Amman, Jordan.
Front Nutr. 2025 Aug 1;12:1657855. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1657855. eCollection 2025.
Seasonal transitions in professional football specifically between the pre-season and in-season phases are accompanied by distinct physiological, hormonal, and nutritional demands. Understanding these fluctuations is essential to optimizing dietary periodization, improving performance outcomes, and supporting player recovery. This study aimed to assess and compare the dietary intake, hormonal biomarkers, and body composition of professional football players during the pre-season and in-season phases. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 15 professional male football players (mean age: 25.15 ± 3.78 years). Dietary intake was recorded over 7 consecutive days during each phase and analyzed using ESHA Food Processor software. Nutrient adequacy was evaluated against established sports nutrition guidelines. Physical performance (30-meter sprint, vertical jump, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1), body composition (body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass via bioimpedance), and hormonal biomarkers (GH, IGF-1, testosterone, insulin, cortisol) were also measured. Average daily energy and carbohydrate intake were higher during the in-season phase (3,240 kcal and 392.0 g, respectively) compared to pre-season (2,890 kcal and 349.6 g), though the differences were not statistically significant ( > 0.05). Protein intake was significantly higher during pre-season (168.79 ± 42.03 g vs. 140.86 ± 34.86 g, = 0.02), whereas fat intake was significantly lower (98.26 ± 23.32 g vs. 131.04 ± 42.74 g, = 0.01). Micronutrient analysis revealed significant phase-dependent differences in intake of vitamins B1, B2, B5, choline, calcium, sodium, and zinc ( < 0.05). Only GH levels showed a significant increase in-season (0.49 ng/mL vs. 0.19 ng/mL, = 0.03); no other hormonal markers differed significantly. Despite increased physical demands, players failed to meet recommended energy and carbohydrate targets in both pre-season and in-season phases, while protein intake exceeded recommendations. Several micronutrient imbalances were also observed. These findings highlight the need for tailored, phase-specific nutritional strategies to support the health, hormonal balance, and performance of professional football players throughout the competitive season.
职业足球中的季节性过渡，特别是在季前赛和赛季中阶段之间，伴随着不同的生理、激素和营养需求。了解这些波动对于优化饮食周期、改善比赛成绩和支持运动员恢复至关重要。本研究旨在评估和比较职业足球运动员在季前赛和赛季中阶段的饮食摄入、激素生物标志物和身体成分。对15名职业男性足球运动员（平均年龄：25.15±3.78岁）进行了一项横断面观察研究。在每个阶段连续7天记录饮食摄入情况，并使用ESHA Food Processor软件进行分析。根据既定的运动营养指南评估营养充足性。还测量了身体性能（30米短跑、垂直跳跃和Yo-Yo间歇恢复测试1级）、身体成分（通过生物电阻抗测量体重、脂肪量和去脂体重）和激素生物标志物（生长激素、胰岛素样生长因子-1、睾酮、胰岛素、皮质醇）。与季前赛相比，赛季中阶段的平均每日能量和碳水化合物摄入量更高（分别为3240千卡和392.0克），而季前赛为2890千卡和349.6克，尽管差异无统计学意义（>0.05）。季前赛期间蛋白质摄入量显著更高（168.79±42.03克对140.86±34.86克，=0.02），而脂肪摄入量显著更低（98.26±23.32克对131.04±42.74克，=0.01）。微量营养素分析显示，维生素B1、B2、B5、胆碱、钙、钠和锌的摄入量存在显著的阶段依赖性差异（<0.05）。只有生长激素水平在赛季中显著升高（0.49纳克/毫升对0.19纳克/毫升，=0.03）；其他激素标志物无显著差异。尽管身体需求增加，但运动员在季前赛和赛季中阶段均未达到推荐的能量和碳水化合物目标，而蛋白质摄入量超过了推荐量。还观察到几种微量营养素失衡情况。这些发现凸显了需要制定量身定制的、针对特定阶段的营养策略，以在整个竞争赛季支持职业足球运动员的健康、激素平衡和比赛表现。
