Football is a very demanding high intensity intermittent sport requiring you work hard right through to the final whistle. Dehydration and a reduction in the body’s carbohydrate stores are known to be two key causes of fatigue in football.
Did you know?
- Top class players will cover 10-13 km in distance during competitive fixtures and average 85% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax).
- The typical energy costs of training or match-play in elite players are approximately 1500 kcal in men and about 1000 kcal in women.
- Work rate, especially the high intensity activities, decreases towards the latter stages of a match - a time recognised for a large portion of goals scored.
- The amount of high intensity activity completed separates top-class players from players of a lower standard.
- Carbohydrate intake is proven to increase the work rate of football players, allowing them to maintain speed in the latter stages and cover greater distances.
Barclays Premier League football players ensure they consume sufficient fluid and carbohydrate before and during matches. The need to run further and quicker towards the end of a match is too much of an advantage to ignore.
Want more?
Find out more about the science of physical endurance on the Sports Science website.