Some investigations explored the association between body composition (namely body fat or adiposity) and physical performance in soccer [36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43]. Brocherie and collaborators [41] found that the sum of six skinfolds associated with adipose mass index was largely correlated with speed decrements in a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test in a group of 16 players from senior male Qatar national team. Furthermore, Silvestre and collaborators [44] showed that reduced body fat levels were associated with improved sprint performance and jump height in a sample of 27 male collegiate soccer players at the beginning of the season. When discussing their research in power testing, Nikolaidis and collaborators [42] found a positive correlation between body fat with mean and 20-m sprint times of a RSA test, in 36 male semi-professional Greek soccer players. More recently, a similar trend was seen [43] where the body fat level of 181 adult soccer players from third and fourth Greek national divisions positively correlated to 20-m sprint times. Together, these data seem to support an association between body fat levels and sprint performance (i.e., lower body fat associated with better sprint performance).
General Player Eng IS V2.11.4.R.
Anderson and colleagues [6] quantified the daily training and accumulative weekly load (reflective of both training and match play) in professional soccer players during a one, two and three match per week schedule and found evidences of training periodization. Specifically, results showed that training load was progressively reduced in the three days prior to match day (one match per week); that daily training load and periodization was similar in a one and two match per week schedule (although total accumulative distance was higher in a two-match week); and that daily training total distance was lower in a three-match week (although accumulative weekly distance was highest and more time was spent in high speed zones). As such, these authors suggested that CHO intake should also be periodized according to training periodization, suggesting high CHO availability on the day before match, on the day of the match and on the day after match on both one match and two match per week schedule, and a reduced CHO availability on the other days. Given the extreme frequency of match play on a three match per week schedule, these researchers do not advise adopting a low CHO availability in these conditions.
By analyzing Table 2, it is possible to conclude that some percentage of dehydration commonly occurs in soccer players, and a significant amount of fluid can be lost through sweating even when the match is played in a cold weather environment. Equally important but often neglected is the observation that a hypohydrated player at the beginning of a sport event has already a hydration deficit, which can more easily compromise sports performance. A study conducted by Maughan et al (2004) found high levels of urine osmolality in some players, suggesting that they began training sessions already in a hypohydrated state [136]. Opportunities for fluid intake during match period are limited, and the ability to empty ingested fluid from the stomach may be compromised, so it is of great importance for players to ensure they are fully hydrated before beginning either training or match-play [136].
To ensure sufficient intake, soccer players are encouraged to consume nutrient-dense foods [187]. In special circumstances, such as for players who are following a negative energy balance for weight management purposes or for players who avoid or eliminate large food groups, or consume poorly chosen diets, micronutrient intake may be sub-optimal and thus supplementation may be beneficial [12]. In these situations, the use of a standard multivitamin supplement that is batch tested under the guidance of a qualified sports nutritionist or dietitian may be appropriate to ensure that 100% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for all micronutrients is met [13]. However, as with all nutrients, the focus should first be on nutrient-rich foods, and then a supplement if indicated.
In a classic study by Hoffman et colleagues [255] college football players ingested 4.5 g of beta-alanine or placebo for 30 days. Beta-alanine supplementation began three weeks before preseason training camp and continued for an additional nine days during camp. Anaerobic performance, training volume, and ratings of soreness and fatigue were assessed pre- and post-intervention and included a 60-s Wingate anaerobic power test and three line drills. At the end of the 30-day investigative period, only the beta-alanine group showed a trend toward lower fatigue rates during the anaerobic performance test. More interestingly for team sports, beta-alanine supplementation allowed for higher training volumes and lower subjective feelings of fatigue, indicated that as duration of supplementation continued, the efficacy of beta-alanine supplementation in highly trained athletes became apparent (training logs were used to record resistance training volumes). Earlier, the effects of creatine and beta-alanine supplementation on performance and endocrine responses in strength/power athletes had been analyzed and it was found that beta-alanine + creatine did not produce further strength increments when compared to creatine alone but the co-supplementation elicited greater changes in lean body mass and percent body fat [256].
The effects of acute creatine supplementation have been investigated. Ostojic and colleagues found that creatine supplementation for seven days (3 10 g/day) improved performance in a soccer-specific battery of tests, including a dribble test, a sprint-power test, an endurance test, and a vertical jump test [269]. Another study revealed that six days of creatine supplementation (4 5 g/day) improved repeated sprint performance and jumping ability after an intermittent exercise test in 17 highly trained male soccer players [270]. The same creatine supplementation protocol produced improved results on repeated sprint and agility tasks in elite female soccer players [271].
Longer creatine supplementation protocols have also been implemented. A 13 weeks of creatine supplementation (2 7.5 g/day in the first week and 5 g/day throughout the rest of the protocol) improved the muscle strength of collegiate female soccer players [272]. Claudino and colleagues found that creatine monohydrate supplementation prevented the decrement in lower-limb muscle power in elite soccer players during a 7-week pre-season progressive training [273]. Here, subjects from the creatine group received 20 g/day of creatine monohydrate for 1 week divided into four equal doses (loading phase), followed by single daily doses of 5 g for the next six weeks (maintenance phase). More recently, Ramirez-Campillo and colleagues investigated the effects of a six-week plyometric training and creatine supplementation intervention (4 5 g/day in the first week followed 5 g/day in the next five weeks) on maximal-intensity and endurance performance in female soccer players during in-season training and found that creatine produced improved results in the jumps and repeated sprinting performance tests [270].
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ,[9] is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. His biography on the official National Basketball Association (NBA) website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time."[10] He played fifteen seasons in the NBA, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA and of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was integral in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s,[11] becoming a global cultural icon in the process.[12]
One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation,[11] Jordan is known for his product endorsements.[24] He fueled the success of Nike's Air Jordan sneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular today.[25] Jordan also starred as himself in the 1996 live-action animation hybrid film Space Jam and is the central focus of the Emmy Award-winning documentary miniseries The Last Dance (2020).[26] He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats (now named the Hornets) in 2006,[25] and bought a controlling interest in 2010. In 2016, Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history.[27] That year, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.[28] As of 2022, Jordan's net worth is estimated at $1.7 billion.[29]
Jordan was selected by consensus to the NCAA All-American First Team in both his sophomore (1983) and junior (1984) seasons.[48][49] After winning the Naismith and the Wooden College Player of the Year awards in 1984, Jordan left North Carolina one year before his scheduled graduation to enter the 1984 NBA draft. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986,[50] when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.[51] In 2002, Jordan was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team honoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history.[52]
The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft after Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets) and Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers). One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of a center.[53] Trail Blazers general manager Stu Inman contended that it was not a matter of drafting a center but more a matter of taking Bowie over Jordan, in part because Portland already had Clyde Drexler, who was a guard with similar skills to Jordan.[54] Citing Bowie's injury-laden college career, ESPN named the Blazers' choice of Bowie as the worst draft pick in North American professional sports history.[55] 2ff7e9595c