Nutrition in Soccer
                                       
                            
     
                     Dorianne Caruana Bonnici 
                            
       A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Edge Hill University for the 
                    Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 
                            
                        October 2017
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                        Abstract 
    The game of soccer places various physiological demands on players, who are required to respond by carrying out a 
    range of locomotor activities at different intensities.  Such activity patterns contribute to a high energy turnover in both 
    training and match-play, which in turn requires the intake of adequate fuel sources to sustain it.   
    Adequate nutrient intake constitutes an important foundation for physical performance by providing fuel for biological 
    work, both short and long term as required throughout the course of a soccer match. Despite the popularity of the sport 
    worldwide,  few  studies  investigating  the  effect  of  nutrition  on  performance  in  soccer  have  been  conducted  to 
    substantiate the effect of optimal nutrition over the duration of a standard soccer match. This dearth of evidence has 
    contributed in turn to a lack of specific nutrition guidelines for soccer players, coaches, sport scientists, nutritionists and 
    club administrators.  
    The aim of this thesis is to investigate the physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of nutrition and soccer, 
    and posit a comprehensive nutritional framework to actively engage soccer players in adopting diets supportive of 
    optimal performance in soccer training and match-play. The researcher set out by hypothesising that an optimal diet 
    positively influences physical performance in soccer match-play. To test this hypothesis, a 90 h diet was developed for 
    the participating semi-professional soccer players. Following implementation of the diet, a 90-minute soccer-specific 
    simulation protocol, BEAST90mod was used to test its effects on physical performance in soccer. The remaining three 
    inter-linked studies were longitudinal in nature, and carried out with participants forming part of the Malta U21 National 
    Soccer Team.  In the first instance, players’ habitual dietary intake, expenditure and energy balance was examined. The 
    researcher then gathered information about the players’ knowledge, attitudes, habits, perceptions and barriers towards 
    a diet conducive with optimal soccer performance. The same players finally underwent a 9-month nutritional education 
    and support intervention, the efficacy of which was measured by the researcher throughout the intervention period.  
    The principle aim of the research is to present findings that provide players and stakeholders in soccer a clear indication 
    of the effects of specialist nutrition in soccer, and empower them with a range of appropriate tools and strategies as 
    employed throughout the support programme. It ultimately seeks to improve physical performance in soccer training and 
    match-play by informing sound individual and team approaches to nutritional decision-making.  
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    Key  words:  Soccer  nutrition,  dietary  intake,  effect  of  nutrition  on  physical  performance  in  soccer,  soccer-nutrition 
    knowledge,  nutritional  attitudes,  nutritional  barriers,  energy  balance,  nutrition  intervention,  nutrition  education  and 
    support intervention programme 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
                 
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                      Acknowledgements 
    There are a number of close relatives that I am indebted to who have made this PhD study possible.  
    Firstly, I would like to thank my parents who have been my backbone especially in the initial phase of the study when I 
    still lived at home.  I used to spend hours researching, collecting data and studying whilst all the basic life necessities 
    were  being  taken  care  of.  To  you  as  well,  my  dear  husband  Triston  whose  unquestionable  support,  faith  and 
    encouragement have guided me through the most rewarding yet challenging experience of my life. My beloved first 
    offspring Rafael, I am indebted to you too because of the extended time that I had to spend in the library to get research 
    done instead of being with you. I promise that I will make that up to you once this is all done.   
    My gratitude extends to all the soccer players and technical staff of the Malta Football Association who have made this 
    innovative  research  possible  offering  their  services,  time  and  commitment  to  abide  by  my  instructions  and  all  the 
    requirements that this PhD required. Special thanks go to the Team Manager Mr. Ray (Zazu) Farrugia who has always 
    believed in my research and the importance of nutrition in soccer. Without you, this unique research population or this 
    longitudinal study would not have been possible. 
    I have also been a lucky student with supervisors who have offered me unprecedented support throughout my studies. 
    Professor Lars McNaughton, I thank you for all your correspondence, academic support and most of all understanding 
    in giving me reasonable timeframes to present my work. Dr Ibrahim Akubat, I thank you for encouraging me to start this 
    journey. Having been my tutor and mentor in my MSc, you were the scholar who encouraged me to start a Doctorate 
    and helped me to find the correct university and tutors that fit my area of expertise. I also thank my colleague, Mr. 
    Matthew Muscat Inglott who has been my listening and suggestive ear when discussing the research focus in this field. 
    And finally,  I  would  also  like  to  thank  my  sister  Ms.  Annamaria  Bonnici  whose  experience  working  for a  research 
    department in a foreign University has helped to polish my writing and make the whole dissertation more flowing and 
    readable. 
    I am grateful to all of you for your relentless patience, expert advice and personal support to help me develop as an 
    academic. Thank you all for being part of this journey. It would not have been possible without your support. I hope that I 
    will make you all proud. 
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