Estimated daily energy expenditures of professional association footballers

Abstract

The daily energy demands of 23 professional English League footballers were estimated. Indirect measurement was made of energy expended in training, match-play and nonoccupational activity. Mean duration of training was 75min day⁻¹, mean heart rate 132beatsminMatch-play constituted the dominant source of occupational strain, mean heart rate being 157 beats min⁻¹ in outfielders. Temporal commitment to work was 18·5 h week⁻¹ during which mean work intensity could be described as moderate. Time spent inactive was 19·5 h day⁻¹ and daily energy expenditure was estimated to be 14·442 MJ. It was concluded that physiological strain in this occupation was not excessive and no peculiar dietary requirements obtained.