Estimates of Energy Intake and Expenditure in Elite Female Touch Players During an International Tournament.

This study assessed energy intake and expenditure of international female Touch players during an international tournament. Energy intake (food diary) and expenditure (accelerometer, global positioning system) were recorded for 16 female Touch players during a four-day tournament, competing in 8.0 ± 1.0 matches; two on days one, two and four, and three on day three. Total daily energy expenditure (43.6 ± 3.1 Kcal·kg(-1) body mass (BM)) was not different (P > 0.05) from energy intake (39.9 ± 9.4 Kcal·kg(-1) BM). Carbohydrate intakes were below current recommendations (6-10 g·kg(-1) BM) on days one (4.4 ± 0.6 g·kg(-1) BM) and three (4.7 ± 1.0 g·kg(-1) BM) and significantly below (P < 0.05) on day two (4.1 ± 1.0 g·kg(-1) BM). Protein and fat intakes were consistent with recommendations (protein; 1.2 - 2.0 g·kg(-1) BM, fat; 20 - 35 % total Kcal) across days one to three (protein; 1.9 ± 0.8, 2.2 ± 0.8 & 2.0 ± 0.7 g·kg(-1) BM, fat; 35.6 ± 6.8, 38.5 ± 6.4 & 35.9 ± 5.4 % total Kcal). Saturated fat intakes were greater (P < 0.05) than recommendations (10 % total Kcal) on days one to three (12.4 ± 2.9, 14.2 ± 5.1 & 12.7 ± 3.5 % total Kcal). On average, female Touch players maintained energy balance. Carbohydrate intakes appeared insufficient and might have contributed to the reduction (P < 0.05) in high-intensity running on day three. Further research might investigate the applicability of current nutrition recommendations and the role of carbohydrate in multi-match, multi-day tournaments.