Abstract des Autors

The dietary habits of 24 male soccer players of a first and a third division German Soccer club were investigated for 10 days. The physical activity was 10.3 +/- 1.9 hours per week. The results showed that the intake of carbohydrates was insufficient in most cases. Besides, carbohydrates were generally ingested much too late after physical activity, and the 4 hours generally passing between the last meal rich in carbohydrates and the match are too long. This and the protein intake, which is much too low for top athletes (<1.5 g protein/kg body weight), cause insufficient regeneration and training adaptations. In comparison with the guidelines of the German Society of Nutrition the intake of thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid and zinc are insufficient in 50% of the soccer players. The combination of these nutritional deficits could be a possible explanation for the drop of performance at the end of the competition season. Verf.-Referat