Fueling Women`s football: Evidence-informed practical nutrition strategies for performance and health

(Förderung des Frauenfußballs: Evidenzbasierte praktische Ernährungsstrategien für Leistung und Gesundheit)

This paper synthesizes current research on women`s football to develop comprehensive, evidence-informed nutritional strategies tailored to the specific demands of the sport. Four key themes are addressed: (1) energy requirements in women`s football; (2) macronutrient and nutrient-timing applications around training and match play, including an illustrative case study; (3) supporting a player with inadequate energy intake, including an illustrative case study; and (4) nutritional considerations relating to fluctuations in female sex hormones. Rather than providing another descriptive narrative review, this synthesis translates research findings into practical strategies for implementation in real-world performance environments. Adequate energy availability is identified as a fundamental nutritional priority. Carbohydrate and protein intake are emphasized as essential for sustaining training quality, supporting recovery, and maximizing match performance. Nutrient timing is highlighted as a critical determinant of in-season performance and effective match preparation. Consideration is also given to the influence of hormonal fluctuations on thermoregulation and menstrual cycle-related symptoms, alongside nutritional strategies to mitigate these effects. This synthesis underscores the importance of individualized nutritional strategies to optimize health, performance, and return-to-play outcomes in women footballers.
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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Schlagworte:
Notationen:Spielsportarten Biowissenschaften und Sportmedizin
Veröffentlicht in:Sports Medicine
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 2026
Jahrgang:56
Heft:S1
Seiten:45-59
Dokumentenarten:Artikel
Level:hoch