ESTIMATED DAILY ENERGY EXPENDITURES OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOOTBALLERS

The daily energy demands of 23 professional English League footballers were estimated. Indirect measurement was made of energy expended in training, match-play and nonoccupational activity. Mean duration of training was 75min day−1, mean heart rate 132beatsminMatch-play constituted the dominant source of occupational strain, mean heart rate being 157 beats min−1 in outfielders. Temporal commitment to work was 18·5 h week−1 during which mean work intensity could be described as moderate. Time spent inactive was 19·5 h day−1 and daily energy expenditure was estimated to be 14·442 MJ. It was concluded that physiological strain in this occupation was not excessive and no peculiar dietary requirements obtained. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.