Carbohydrates for Soccer: A Focus on Skilled Actions and Half-Time Practices

Abstract

Carbohydrate consumption is synonymous with soccer performance due to the established effects on endogenous energy store preservation, and physical capacity maintenance. For performance-enhancement purposes, exogenous energy consumption (in the form of drinks, bars, gels and snacks) is recommended on match-day; specifically, before and during match-play. Akin to the demands of soccer, limited opportunities exist to consume carbohydrates outside of scheduled breaks in competition, such as at half-time. The link between cognitive function and blood glucose availability suggests that carbohydrates may influence decision-making and technical proficiency (e.g., soccer skills). However, relatively few reviews have focused on technical, as opposed to physical, performance while also addressing the practicalities associated with carbohydrate consumption when limited in-play feeding opportunities exist. Transient physiological responses associated with reductions in activity prevalent in scheduled intra-match breaks (e.g., half-time) likely have important consequences for practitioners aiming to optimize match-day performance. Accordingly, this review evaluated novel developments in soccer literature regarding (1) the ergogenic properties of carbohydrates for skill performance; and (2) novel considerations concerning exogenous energy provision during half-time. Recommendations are made to modify half-time practices in an aim to enhance subsequent performance. Viable future research opportunities exist regarding a deeper insight into carbohydrate provision on match-day.

The Effects of Low- and High-Glycemic Index Sport Nutrition Bars on Metabolism and Performance in Recreational Soccer Players

“…The current study used skill performance that was quite different from these previous studies and more specific to soccer performance. The current study also used a dietary condition (i.e., sports nutrition bars) which is more likely to be used by soccer players before matches when less time is available for food consumption [5].…”

“…Thus, endurance and high-intensity intermittent exercise will be adversely affected by reduced glycogen stores. During soccer matches, this would most likely occur in the second half of a game [3][4][5]. Soccer players with lower levels of muscle glycogen cover less distance and run at lower speeds during the last 15 min of a match [6].…”

Regulation of Muscle Glycogen Metabolism during Exercise: Implications for Endurance Performance and Training Adaptations

“…As a general rule of thumb, it is suggested that 30–60 g·h −1 of CHO (glucose polymers e.g., maltodextrin) is consumed during events lasting < 60–150 min [ 78 ], whereas in events > 2.5–3 h, 60–90 g·h −1 (glucose/fructose blends) is the recommended rate [ 7 ]. Whilst beyond the scope of the present review, it is noteworthy that CHO ingestion (in either drink or gel format) during team sport type activity (i.e., <90 min duration) can also improve performance of technical skills (see reference [ 89 ] for an extensive review on this topic), thus providing further evidence for the ergogenic properties of CHO feeding during exercise.…”

Honey Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review

“…For this reason, research designs based around a regular feeding pattern throughout exercise (i.e., every 15 min) may be limited in their ecological validity. Moreover, when high GI carbohydrates, including those contained within most commercially available sports drinks, are ingested before and during team sport specific exercise, including at half-time, sharp declines in blood glucose concentrations are typically observed during the early stages of the second half [28,29,30,31]. Given the likely mechanisms involved (for a review of this topic, please see [29]), it has been proposed that altering the GI of carbohydrates consumed pre-match and at half-time, may help to counteract these responses in team sports athletes [29].…”

“…Moreover, when high GI carbohydrates, including those contained within most commercially available sports drinks, are ingested before and during team sport specific exercise, including at half-time, sharp declines in blood glucose concentrations are typically observed during the early stages of the second half [28,29,30,31]. Given the likely mechanisms involved (for a review of this topic, please see [29]), it has been proposed that altering the GI of carbohydrates consumed pre-match and at half-time, may help to counteract these responses in team sports athletes [29]. Theoretically, low GI carbohydrates produce a lower insulinaemic response and a slower delivery of glucose into the systemic circulation, thus helping to maintain blood glucose concentrations throughout the second half [29,31].…”