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Estimates of Energy Intake and Expenditure in Elite Female Touch Players

During an International Tournament

Article  in  International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism · August 2017

DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0082

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International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2017, 27, 499  -506
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0082
© 2017 Human Kinetics, Inc. ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Estimates of Energy Intake and Expenditure in Elite Female

Touch Players During an International Tournament
Nicola Marsh, Nick Dobbin, Craig Twist, and Chris Curtis

This study assessed energy intake and expenditure of international female touch players during an interna-
tional 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 1, 2, and 4, and three on Day 3. Total daily energy expenditure (43.6 ± 3.1 Kcal·kg-1 body mass
(BM)) was not different (p > .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 1 (4.4 ± 0.6 g·kg-1 BM) and 3 (4.7 ± 1.0 g·kg-1
BM) and significantly below (p < .05) on Day 2 (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 1–3 (protein, 1.9
± 0.8, 2.2 ± 0.8, and 2.0 ± 0.7 g·kg-1 BM; fat, 35.6 ± 6.8, 38.5 ± 6.4, and 35.9 ± 5.4% total Kcal). Saturated
fat intakes were greater (p < .05) than recommendations (10% total Kcal) on Days 1–3 (12.4 ± 2.9, 14.2 ±
5.1, and 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 < .05) in high-intensity running
on Day 3. Further research might investigate the applicability of current nutrition recommendations and the
role of carbohydrate in multimatch, multiday tournaments.

Keywords: intermittent, macronutrients, GPS, accelerometer, nutrition

Touch rugby, or touch, is a team sport characterized squads and consists of three playing positions (wings,
by frequent periods of high-intensity running interspersed links and middles); all of which are exposed to high-
with periods of low-intensity activity (Beaven et al., intensity intermittent running for the duration of a match.
2014). In the only study on movement characteristics Unlike other rugby codes, touch does not involve kicking
of Touch match-play to date, international male players the ball, scrums or high-impact collisions but instead
cover greater relative distance (137.1 ± 13.6 cf. 126.2 ± contact is limited to placing a hand on the ball-carrier,
17.2 m∙min-1), greater high-speed running (619.9 ± 155.2 making the touch (Beaven et al., 2014).
cf. 564.9 ± 232.7 m) and very high-speed running (118.7 Given the activity profile described above, glycogen
± 59.9 cf. 68.4 ± 44.5 m), have a higher mean running is undoubtedly an important substrate for energy produc-
speed (8.21 ± 0.76 cf. 7.51 ± 1.02 km∙h-1) and perform tion (Bangsbo et al., 2007) during touch. Muscle glycogen
more high-intensity efforts compared with regional play- concentrations decrease by ~40% after an 80–90 min
ers (Beaven et al., 2014). During an international match, rugby and soccer match (Bradley et al., 2016; Bangsbo
these movements are performed during 16 and 24 min of et al., 2007). While time in play is lower compared with
activity distributed across approximately nine bouts, each soccer and rugby, multiple fixtures over a four-day period
lasting between 2 and 4 min (Beaven et al., 2014). No means that muscle glycogen is important and potentially
similar data exists for female touch players. Match-day performance limiting (Holway & Spriet, 2011). Despite
squads comprise six active players and eight interchange no published data on effects of repeated high-intensity
players with an unlimited substitution rule. Players matches over consecutive days, this physical load is likely
compete over two 20-min halves with a 3-min half-time, to result in disturbances to metabolic homeostasis and
with the sole objective of scoring more “touchdowns” other central and peripheral factors of fatigue (Dziedzic
than the opposition (Federation of International Touch, and Higham, 2014).
2008–2016). Touch is played in single- or mixed-sex Due to challenges associated with calorimetry to
assess energy expenditure (EE) in an applied sport set-
ting (Bluck, 2008), a combination of methods is often
Marsh and Curtis are with the School of Sport, Health and required. Accelerometer devices can be combined with
Applied Science, St Mary’s University, UK. Dobbin and Twist body-mass derived estimates (ten Haaf & Weijs, 2014)
are with the Dept. of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of resting energy expenditure (REE) to estimate total
of Chester, Chester, UK. Address author correspondence to daily energy expenditure (TDEE) (Drenowatz & Eisen-
Nicola Marsh at [email protected]. mann, 2011). Accelerometers provide valid and reliable

499
 500  Marsh et al.

measures of physical activity (Hills et al., 2014) and have and delayed recovery (Burke et al., 2006). In an attempt to
been used in team sports to estimate EE (Briggs et al., understand the nutritional practices of elite female touch
2015). However, the use of such devices is prohibited players during competition involving multiple matches
during touch matches and is likely to underestimate EE on consecutive days, the aims of this study were to 1)
during high-intensity intermittent exercise (Drenowatz & quantify TDEE and energy intake (EI) of elite female
Eisenmann, 2011). Wearable microtechnology incorpo- touch players during an international competition and 2)
rating Global Position Systems (GPS), a 100 Hz triaxial to determine whether players were meeting the current
accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer have been sports nutrition recommendations.
proposed as practical and noninvasive methods to quantify
exercise EE using a metabolic power model (di Prampero
et al. 2005). This approach provides an instantaneous Methods
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estimate of the amount of energy required, per unit of

time, to reconstitute ATP used for work (di Prampero et Overall Study Design
al., 2005). Metabolic power is estimated using measures of Using an observational approach, total daily energy
velocity and acceleration captured by a microtechnology expenditure (TDEE) and energy intake (EI) was collected
device. Although metabolic power parameters underesti- for elite female touch players during an international
mate overall EE (Buchheit et al., 2015) when compared touch tournament in 2016 where players were involved
with open-circuit spirometry (i.e., 7.2 ± 1.0 cf. 13.2 ± 3.2 in 6–9 (mean ± SD: 8.0 ± 1.0) matches over a four-day
Kcal∙min-1; Highton et al., 2016), it possesses a stronger period, including a final on day four. Microtechnology
association with EE (r = .63) than other measures such was used to estimate energy expenditure (EE) during
as high-speed distance (r = .50) or Player LoadTM (r = competition and noncompetition periods. Participants
.37; Highton et al., 2016). Given this method has been completed a four-day food diary to assess their energy
employed with other noncontact team sports (Polglaze and macronutrient intakes.
et al., 2017), the metabolic power model offers a useful
approach to understand the energy demands of touch.
Understanding the nutritional intake of an athlete Participants
enables sports nutritionists to advise on appropriate inter- With institutional ethics approval and informed consent
ventions that can improve health and performance (Rosen- obtained, 16 elite female touch players (age 27.4 ± 6.2
bloom et al., 2006). While data are available regarding years, stature 163 ± 6.0 cm, body mass 60.0 ± 6.5 kg)
the nutritional practices of female soccer (Noack et al., from an international squad volunteered for this study.
2016; Martin et al., 2006; Clark et al., 2003), volleyball Data were collected during a 2016 international tour-
(Zourdos et al., 2015), hockey (MacLeod & Sunderland, nament (temperature 18 ± 2 °C, humidity 86 ± 8%).
2009) and netball (Heaney et al., 2010), information on Players were familiarized with the testing procedures
nutritional practices of elite female touch players remains during a previous training camp. All participants were
absent. Previous studies demonstrate that female team- free of injury as confirmed by the organization’s Head
sport athletes do not meet their energy needs (Noack et of Medical Services.
al., 2016; Zourdos et al., 2015; Clark et al., 2003) with
lower carbohydrate (CHO) intakes reported compared
Procedures
with sports nutrition recommendations (Thomas et al.,
2016; Burke et al., 2011). Suboptimal energy and CHO Tournament Structure and Facilities.  Table 1 outlines
intakes have been attributed to players wishing to main- the structure of the tournament. Players had a minimum
tain a lower body mass or due to under-reporting in self- of 1 hr 40 min and a maximum of 4 hr 20 min between
reported food diaries (Rosenbloom et al., 2006). A limited matches to rest once prematch preparation, a postmatch
availability of snacks or appropriate food choices while debrief and cool down was accounted for. There was
touring might contribute to this (Dziedzic & Higham, limited onsite catering and no in-house self-catering
2014). An acute suboptimal energy and CHO intake has facilities in players’ accommodation, meaning players
potential implications for players’ performances includ- were required to be self-sufficient in planning, preparing
ing; reductions in high-intensity running (Bradley et al., and bringing their own nutrition and hydration supplies
2016), impaired decision-making (Winnick et al., 2005) for the duration of the tournament.

Table 1  Daily Structure of International Touch Tournament for Study

Participants
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4
No. of matches 2 2 3 2
Tap-off times (h: min) 10:40; 14:50 09:50; 13:10 09:00; 12:20; 15:40 08:30; 14:30
Time between matches (min) 140 100 100; 100 260

IJSNEM Vol. 27, No. 6, 2017

 Energy Intake and Expenditure in Touch Players   501

Measurement of Energy Expenditure.  Accelerometers distance (> 14 km∙h-1; Beaven et al., 2014) were recorded to
(10 of GT9×-link and 6 of GT3×-BT; ActiGraph, Pensacola, provide an understanding of the match demands. Accuracy
USA) were initialised with participant characteristics of microtechnology for measuring distance and metabolic
before the data collection period and the sampling power in team sport activity has been reported (Rampinini
frequency was set at 30 Hz (Brønd & Arvidsson, 2016). et al., 2015), and is reliable for measures of instantaneous
Two models were used due to equipment availability. Both speed and acceleration (Varley et al., 2012).
devices use the same microtechnology. They differ in
battery life, mass and the GT3×-BT model lacks a display Measurement of Energy Intake.  Participants recorded
screen. Each participant wore the same accelerometer all foods and drinks consumed during the data collection
device on their dominant wrist at all times outside of match- period using a 4-day food diary. One diary was not returned
play which was only removed once the GPS device was at the end of the tournament; thus, analysis is based on 15
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fitted prematch or during exposure to water. players. The researcher (a Registered Dietitian) gave verbal
A body mass-based predictive equation validated and written instructions asking participants to accurately
in athletes of a similar standard (aged 18–35 years) (ten record volumes, quantities and brand names where possible.
Haaf & Weijs, 2014) was used to estimate REE: The researcher was on site throughout the tournament to
assist players in recording food and drink intakes accurately.
(
REE Kcal ⋅ d – 1 ) Nutrient intakes were calculated using Nutritics software
(Nutritics Education Edition, v4.097, Ireland).
( )
= 11.936 × bodymass kg + 587.728∗ stature m ( )
( )
– 8.129 × age y + 191.027 ∗0 + 29.279 Statistical Analysis
Energy expenditure was estimated during match-play All data are expressed as M ± SD and were checked for
using the 100 Hz triaxial accelerometer within the GPS normality and homogeneity using the Shapiro-Wilk test
device (Optimeye S5, Catapult Innovations, Australia) that and Levene’s test, respectively. An alpha level of £ 0.05
derives EE from a metabolic power model proposed by di was used to detect significant differences in all tests. Dif-
Prampero et al. (2005). Devices were securely positioned ferences in match demands across the tournament were
between the scapulae in a custom-made vest worn under analyzed via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
the playing shirt during each warm-up, match and cool- Differences in and between TDEE and EI (Days 1–3)
down. Participants wore the same device throughout the were analyzed via two-way ANOVA. If Mauchley’s test
study removing interunit variability. Upon completion, of sphericity was violated, data were corrected using the
GPS data were downloaded (Sprint, Version 5.1, Catapult Greenhouse Geisser (e). Day four was shorter so required
Sports, VIC, Australia) and exported to a spreadsheet pro- a separate analysis for EI and EE with a proportion
viding daily means for metabolic power and EE variables (63.5%) of REE added to reflect the data collection period
(mean metabolic power (W·kg-1), time (min) above high- (0000 hr to 1515 hr), and as such, were assessed using a
power (>20 W·kg-1) and EE (Kcal·kg-1). Energy expen- paired samples t test. Differences in mean macronutrient
diture derived from the microtechnology was combined intakes (Day 1 to 3) and current sports nutrition recom-
with EE estimated by the ActiGraph devices and estimates mendations were assessed using one-sample t tests. Data
of REE to calculate TDEE (Kcal·kg-1). Total and relative were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social
distance along with measures of relative high-intensity Sciences (Version 22, 2015).

Table 2  Mean ± SD Movement Characteristics Per Match on Days 1–4

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4
Characteristics Match 1 Match 2 Match 3 Match 4 Match 5 Match 6 Match 7 Match 8 Match 9
Playing time (min:s) 20:6 ± 18:5 ± 18:0 ± 18:5 ± 19:7 ± 21:5 ± 21:9 ± 20:6 ± 20:6 ±
9:9 9:2 4.2 8:6 7:4 6:6 7:0 7:7 7:3
Total distance (m) 2493 ± 2299 ± 2104 ± 2160 ± 2497 ± 2361 ± 2308 ± 2531 ± 2450 ±
775 815 566 510 733 762 670 814 729
Relative distance 129.1 ± 130 .3 ± 118.6 ± 124.1 ± 126.2 ± 110.6 ± 106.5 ± 125.4 ± 123.3 ±
(m·min-1) 24.0 18.0 25.5 19.4 14.6 12.5 9.8 12.7 16.9
Relative high intensity 29.3 ± 29.5 ± 23.1 ± 20.6 ± 23.0 ± 19.3 ± 18.2 ± 23.3 ± 23.0 ±
distance (m·min-1) 14.8 18.8 7.8 10.2 9.6 6.6 6.9 10.4 12.6
Peak Metabolic power 12.83 ± 11.96 ± 14.48 ± 11.15 ± 12.37 ± 11.67 ± 11.79 ± 12.30 ± 12.62 ±
(W·kg-1) 5.2 2.83 2.52 4.51 3.43 5.24 4.17 4.01 3.77
Time spent above high 2:05 ± 1:56 ± 1:49 ± 1:33 ± 2:00 ± 1:48 ± 1:45 ± 2.03 ± 2.01 ±
metabolic power (>20 0:27 0:24 0:30 0:20 0:34 0:26 0:21 0.27 0.32
W·kg-1) (min·s)

IJSNEM Vol. 27, No. 6, 2017

 502  Marsh et al.
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Figure 1 — Daily EI (n = 15) and TDEE (n = 16) (kcal·kg-1 BM) assessed over Days 1–3 of the tournament and EI (n = 15) and
EE (n =16) for the data collection period on day four. Data are presented as means ± SD.

Results (t = -3.771, p < .05) and three (t = -1.244, p > .05) for
intermittent team sport athletes. Protein intake was higher
There were no differences in match demands between than the lower recommendation for protein consumption
matches (all p > .05). However, overall high-intensity (1.2–2 g·kg-1 BM) on Day 1 (t = 3.056, p < .05), two (t
distance was lower (p < .05) on Day 3 (20.2 ± 6.8 m·min- = 4.626, p < .05) and three (t = 4.360, p < .05) but not
1) compared with Day 1 (29.0 ± 14.3 m·min-1). All data upper range on Day 1 (t = -0.686, p > .05), two (t = .744,
are shown in Table 2. P = > 0.05), and three (t = .240, p > .05). Total fat intake
Daily EI and TDEE assessed over Days 1–3 and EI was greater than the lower threshold (20% total Kcal) on
and EE for Day 4 are shown in Figure 1. Mean daily EI Day 1 (t = 8.878, p < .05), two (t = 11.220, P < 0.05) and
and TDEE was 39.9 ± 9.4 Kcal·kg-1 BM and 43.6 ± 3.1 three (t = 11.307, p < .05), but not different from the upper
Kcal·kg-1 BM, respectively. There was no significant Time threshold of recommended fat intakes (35% total Kcal)
× Condition effect for daily EI and TDEE (F = 0.488, p > on Day 1 (t = .360, p > .05), two (t = 2.113, p > .05), and
.05) and no difference between daily EI and TDEE over three (t = .613, p > .05). However, saturated fat intake
Days 1–3 (F = 0.293, p > .05). Energy intake (20.7 ± 9.9 was greater than recommended saturated fat intakes for
Kcal·kg-1 BM) was lower than EE (29.4 ± 2.4 Kcal·kg-1 health (10% total Kcal) on Day 1 (t = -7.883, p < .05),
BM) on Day 4 (t = -3.712 and p < .05). two (t = 7.809, p < .05) and three (t = 8.048, p < .05).
Mean daily macronutrient intakes assessed from
food diaries compared with current sports nutrition rec- Discussion
ommendations are shown in Table 3. Mean daily CHO
intakes were below the lower threshold of recommended The aims of this study were to 1) quantify TDEE and
intakes (6 g·kg-1 BM) on Day 1 (t = -1.931, p > .05), two EI of elite female touch players during an international

Table 3  Mean Daily Macronutrient Intakes (± SD; n = 15) Compared with

Current Sports Nutrition Recommendations (Thomas et al., 2016 and
Phillips & van Loon, 2011)
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Recommendation
CHO (g·kg-1 BM) 4.5 ± 1.0 4.1 ± 1.0* 4.7 ± 1.0 6–10
Protein (g·kg-1 BM) 1.9 ± 0.8 2.2 ± 0.8 2.0 ± 0.7 1.2–2.0
Fat (% total Kcal) 35.6 ± 6.8 38.5 ± 6.4 35.9 ± 5.4 20–35
Saturated fat (% total Kcal) 12.4 ± 2.9* 14.2 ± 5.1* 12.7 ± 3.5* 10
*Indicates a significant difference from the recommendation.

IJSNEM Vol. 27, No. 6, 2017

 Energy Intake and Expenditure in Touch Players   503

competition and 2) to determine whether players were nutrient intakes might explain some of the differences
meeting the current sports nutrition recommendations. between studies (Slimani et al., 2007).
Our results indicate players’ mean daily EI was not No difference was observed between mean TDEE and
different from their TDEE during an international com- EI (Days 1–3), contrasting with studies reporting a short-
petition. CHO intake was below and saturated fat intake fall in energy intake compared with expenditure in female
above current sports nutrition recommendations. This athletes (Noack et al., 2016; Zourdos et al., 2015; Mullinix
information has immediate practical application to inform et al., 2003). However, large individual variation in energy
nutritional intervention or educational targets for female balance (-19.1–16.9 Kcal·kg-1 BM) was observed in this
international touch players. study. Differences in number of matches played, as well
Daily EI (39.9 ± 9.4 Kcal·kg-1 BM) of elite female as nutrition knowledge, tournament preparation and food
touch players was comparable with that observed in availability might have contributed to large individual
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multimatch tournaments for elite netball (39.6 Kcal·kg-1 variation. Consideration of individual nutritional practices
BM; Heaney et al., 2010) and volleyball players (40.7 is important (Figure 2) to identify those athletes who
Kcal·kg-1; Zourdos et al., 2015). However, EI is greater require nutrition support. An acute energy deficit might
than values reported in elite soccer players (30.9 Kcal·kg-1 lead to poorer performance in tournaments (Bradley et
BM; Martin et al., 2006) during single match events al., 2015), while long-term energy deficits could result
where less emphasis may be on EI due to longer times in a loss of body and lean mass (Martin et al., 2006) as
between training and competition. Furthermore, despite well as consequences for health (Mountjoy et al., 2014).
a 7-day food diary being a valid method for capturing Energy intake was lower than EE on day four. This
participants’ habitual intakes, it is possible that the could be because of an early match on day four (0830)
7-day food and activity diary employed by Martin and resulting in players eating less before the final, potentially
colleagues (2006) resulted in participant burden and impacting on performances at a crucial time. The data col-
consequently under-reporting (Shim et al., 2014). It is lection period on Day 4 does not represent a 24-hr period
possible that the higher mean EI reported compared with due to equipment availability and access to participants.
previous studies (Noack et al., 2016; Clark et al., 2003), Meals and snacks consumed outside of this time were
was a consequence of thorough familiarization before therefore not accounted for and may have made up the
the tournament and support from the researcher during deficit incurred in the first half of the day.
the data collection period. It is, however, important to Whist current CHO recommendations (6–10 g·kg-1
note that the use of different nutrient databases to assess BM) are not specific to touch; the observed CHO intakes

Figure 2 — Individual average EE and EI (kcal·kg-1 BM) for each participant assessed over Days 1–3 of the tournament.

IJSNEM Vol. 27, No. 6, 2017

 504  Marsh et al.

might be inadequate to replete and maintain players’ Given the nature of the environment in which data
glycogen reserves, possibly compromising performance were collected, this study is not without limitations. While
and recovery (Burke et al., 2011). In other multiple sprint a metabolic power approach has been used previously in
sports muscle glycogen decreases by ~40% during an other sports (Polglaze et al., 2017; Coutts et al., 2015),
80–90 min match (Bradley et al., 2016; Bangsbo et al., we acknowledge the possible underestimation of EE
2007), resulting in a reduction in high-intensity running during match play by employing this method (Highton
and sprinting (Krustrup et al., 2006; Bradley et al., 2016). et al., 2016; Buchheit et al., 2015). Furthermore, data
It is likely touch places a lower demand on glycogen were gathered from a small sample size from one female
stores given a match is shorter in duration (40 min cf. international touch squad during a single tournament.
90 min) and total distance covered is less compared with Further research is required using data from multiple
soccer (~2,300 m cf. ~9,500–11,000 m). No studies have teams of both sexes to better understand the nutritional
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investigated changes in muscle glycogen during multi- requirements of elite touch players.
match, multiday tournaments. However, touch match- In conclusion, elite female touch players can bal-
play, comprising multiple repeated-sprint matches over ance energy requirements and energy intake during a
4 days with as little as <2 hr recovery between matches is tournament as no significant difference was observed.
likely to result in some degradation of muscle glycogen Although the unique structure of touch tournaments
(Williams & Rollo, 2015). (multiple-matches over consecutive days) questions the
Lower CHO intakes reported by participants might applicability of sports nutrition recommendations to
partly explain the lowest high-intensity distance observed inform nutritional practices of other team sports (Brad-
in matches 6 (19.3 ± 6.6 m·min-1) and 7 (18.2 ± 6.9 ley et al., 2016), players studied here were not meeting
m·min-1), with a reduction in mean high-intensity dis- recommendations for daily CHO intakes. This, along
tance observed between Days 1–3. Notwithstanding the with large individual variability suggests that individual
contribution of an additional match on Day 3, food diary nutrition support is warranted. Elite female touch players
analysis revealed players had lowest CHO intakes on Day are meeting recommended intakes for protein and total fat
2 (4.1 g·kg-1 BM), which was below (p < .05) current but exceeded recommendations for saturated fat. These
sports nutrition recommendations (6–10 g·kg-1 BM) and findings have immediate practical application as players
may have been inadequate preparation for the congested might benefit from education of adequate CHO as an
fixtures on Day 3. These findings raise interesting ques- important substrate for energy production.
tions regarding optimal CHO requirements for athletes
participating in multiple matches over consecutive days. Acknowledgments
Unlike other team sports where nutrition support for
competition occurs around a single match, touch players The authors would like to thank England Touch Association,
must consider eating and drinking around a three to four players and coaches for their support. We also acknowledge
day multimatch tournament (Dziedzic & Higham, 2014). the support of Catapult and Perform Better for providing the
Further research is therefore required to optimize CHO GPS units. This study was designed by NM and CC, data were
intake for multimatch, multiday tournaments and how collected and analysed by NM and ND, data interpretation and
best to periodise this for touch players. manuscript preparation were undertaken by NM, ND, CT and
Protein intakes were above minimum recommenda- CC. All authors approved the final version of the paper. The
tions necessary for maintaining nitrogen balance and authors reported no potential conflict of interest.
stimulating muscle protein synthesis (Phillips & van
Loon, 2011). Timing and types of protein ingested by
players was not reported, but is an important consid- References
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IJSNEM Vol. 27, No. 6, 2017

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