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abstract:
Review paper
Nutrition as a missing piece in the development of youth male
soccer players: a scoping review and future directions
Filipe Manuel Clemente
6, 7, 8
,
Vitor Hugo Teixeira
12, 13, 14
,
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal
- Interactive Technologies Institute, Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Funchal, Portugal
- Department of Communication and Education, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain
- Naufar, Wellness and Recovery Center, Qatar
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester,
UK
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial
de Nun’Álvares, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
- Universidade Lusófona, CIDEFES, Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física e Exercício e Saúde,
Lisboa, Portugal
- COD, Center of Sports Optimization, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto (FCNAUP), Porto, Portugal
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP),
Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, ITR, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Sport – National Research Institute, 01-982 Warsaw, Poland
- Polytechnic of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Dietetics and Nutrition, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Informatics Engineering and Interactive Media Design, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- WoWSystems Informática Lda, Funchal, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, CIPER, FCDEF, Coimbra, Portugal
Biol Sport. 2026;43:291–317
Online publish date: 2025/09/09
PlumX metrics:
The literature on nutrition in soccer has extensively focused on adult male and female soccer players, while knowledge regarding nutritional issues in youth soccer players remains limited. This review aims to summarize the findings related to nutritional habits and ergogenic aid practices among male youth soccer players. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist, four databases were consulted on September 17, 2024. Studies that included youth soccer players and examined daily energy intake or expenditure, as well as the effects of ergogenic aids on performance, met the eligibility criteria for this review. In total, 42 studies were considered. Among these, 22 studies focused on energy expenditure and dietary intake, while 20 studies investigated the effects of ergogenic aids on performance. Overall, a negative energy balance was observed; however, after adjusting for the underestimation of energy intake, an adequate intake compared to energy expenditure was found in this review. Additionally, carbohydrate intake tended to decrease with age, while protein intake remained stable throughout adolescence. The topic of macronutrient periodization in youth players requires further research, as no data is currently available regarding macronutrient intake. Additionally, data concerning the effects of ergogenic aids on performance is limited due to variability in methodological procedures. Nevertheless, caffeine and creatine appear to have a positive effect on physical capabilities. This review provides reference data for nutritionists working with youth soccer players and highlights the need for future research in this area.
keywords:
Carbohydrates, Energy, Dietary intake, Talent development, Soccer demands
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