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Female soccer players have been identified as presenting with low energy availability (LEA), though the prevalence of LEA may be overestimated given inaccuracies associated with self‐reporting dietary intakes. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) via the doubly labelled water (DLW) method, energy intake (EI) and energy availability (EA). Adolescent female soccer players (n = 45; 16 ± 1 years) completed a 9–10 day ‘training camp’ representing their national team. Absolute and relative TDEE was 2683 ± 324 and 60 ± 7 kcal kg−1 fat free mass (FFM), respectively. Mean daily EI was lower (P < 0.01) when players self‐reported using the remote food photography method (RFPM) (2047 ± 383 kcal day−1) over a 3‐day period versus DLW derived EI estimates accounting for body mass (BM) changes (2545 ± 518 kcal day−1) over 7–8 days, representing a mean daily Δ of 499 ± 526 kcal day−1 and 22% error when using the RFPM. Estimated EA was different (P < 0.01) between methods (DLW: 48 ± 14 kcal kg−1 FFM, range: 22–82; RFPM: 37 ± 8 kcal kg−1 FFM, range: 22–54), such that prevalence of LEA (<30 kcal kg−1 FFM) was lower in DLW compared with RFPM (5% vs. 15%, respectively). Data demonstrate the potential to significantly underestimate EI when using self‐report methods. This approach can therefore cause a misrepresentation and an over‐prevalence of LEA, which is the underlying aetiology of ‘relative energy deficiency in sport’ (REDs). What is the central question of this study? Do self‐reported dietary intakes (via remote food photography method, RFPM) overestimate low energy availability (LEA) prevalence in female soccer players compared with energy intake evaluation from the doubly labelled water (DLW) method? What is the main finding and its importance? Estimated energy availability is greater with the DLW method compared with RFPM, such that the prevalence of LEA is greater when self‐reporting dietary intakes. Accordingly, data demonstrate the potential to misrepresent the prevalence of LEA, an underlying factor in the aetiology of ‘relative energy deficiency in sport’ (REDs).

Introduction: Modern-day performance nutritionists are working more intimately with coaches and athletes in the field rather than in the consultation room. This requires a high level of soft skills that are rarely published in scientific literature and difficult to measure. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate through a thematic analysis process, what makes an effective performance nutritionist within elite sport, from the perceptions of athletes (n=2), multi-disciplinary colleagues (n=8) and performance nutritionists (n=9). Moreover, we will explore how nontechnical skills of performance nutritionists currently trained in the United Kingdom, and to investigate the development of a performance nutrition specific coaching model. Results: From the perspective of service users (n=9) and providers (n=8), the top five perceived traits of effective performance nutritionist are; 1) being able to flex (adapt) their communication style (80%); 2) good strategist (73%), 3) can influence behaviour (67%), 4) Builds good relationships (67%), and 5) Trustworthy (53%). Sixty-nine percent of undergraduate courses offer both work placements and non-technical skill development at undergraduate degree level. 23% of the courses offered either a work placement or integrated non-technical skills modules, but not both, and 8% offered none of these elements within their programme. 59% of postgraduate courses offer both work placements and nontechnical skill development at postgraduate degree level. 24% of the courses offered either a work placement or integrated non-technical skills modules, but not both, and 18% offered none of these elements within their programme. All performance nutritionists expressed the creation of an effectiveness checklist and coaching framework would have both positive and negative impacts on their practice. Conclusion: Strong non-technical skills are key determinants of effective performance nutritionists. There are varied opportunities for performance nutritionists to develop these areas at all levels of their development. The creation of specific coaching framework could be required for performance nutritionists who operate within high-performance environments.

Previous studies demonstrate that “under-fuelling” (i.e., reduced carbohydrate (CHO) and energy intake (EI) in relation to recommended guidelines) is prevalent within adult female soccer players, the consequence of which may have acute performance and chronic health implications. However, the dietary practices of adolescent female soccer players, a population who may be particularly at risk for the negative aspects of low energy availability (LEA), are not well documented. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify EI and CHO intake, physical loading and estimated energy availability (EA) in elite national team adolescent female soccer players (n = twenty-three; age, 17.9 ± 0.5 years) during a 10-day training and game schedule comprising two match days on day six (MDa) and nine (MDb). The players self-reported their EI via the remote food photography method, whilst the physical loading and associated exercise energy expenditure were assessed via GPS technology. The relative CHO intake was significantly greater (all p < 0.05) on the day before the first match (MD-1a) (4.1 ± 0.8 g·kg−1), on the day before the second match (MD-1b) (4.3 ± 1.1 g·kg−1), MDa (4.8 ± 1.2 g·kg−1) and MDb (4.8 ± 1.4 g·kg−1) in comparison to most other days (<4 g·kg−1). The mean daily measured EA over the 10-day period was 34 ± 12 kcal·kg FFM−1·day−1 (with six players, i.e., 34%, presenting LEA), though, when adjusting the energy intake for potential under-reporting, these values changed substantially (44 ± 14 kcal·kg FFM−1·day−1, only one player was classed as presenting LEA). Such data suggest that the prevalence of LEA amongst female team sport athletes may be over-estimated. Nonetheless, players are still likely under-fuelling for the work required in relation to the daily CHO recommendations (i.e., >6 g·kg−1) for intensive training and game schedules. These data provide further evidence for the requirement to create and deliver targeted player and stakeholder education and behaviour change interventions (especially for younger athletes) that aim to promote increased daily CHO intake in female soccer players.