Optimizing Body Composition in Soccer Players Through Caloric Restriction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2514Keywords:
Adiposity, Body Weight, Diet, Muscle Mass, Body Composition, SoccerAbstract
Introduction: Achieving optimal body composition can be advantageous for athletes in terms of competitive performance. To date, there is scarce research examining the effects of caloric restriction (CR) on body composition in male professional soccer players. This study aims to investigate the impact of 6 weeks of CR with protein supplementation on body composition and the maintenance of changes after stopping CR for the next 6 weeks. Methods: The study was a controlled, randomized, parallel-group, experiment involving 28 participants. Recommended energy intake (REI) was individually calculated. The experimental group received a CR diet (-25%; average REI 2650 kcal/d) and the control group received a normal caloric (NC) diet (average REI 3500 kcal/d). All participants received protein supplementation. The intervention lasted for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks without intervention and provision of ad libitum diet in both groups. Body composition was assessed using anthropometric measurements. Results: The study participants were aged 27.6 ± 4.4 year on average. After 12 weeks, the CR group showed a significant reduction in body weight compared with the NC group (−0.33 kg for CR vs. −0.08 kg for NC; p 0.028). Both groups experienced a reduction in adipose mass after 6 and 12 weeks. Intragroup analyses demonstrate that only CR group continued a significant reduction after 12 weeks (6w -1.06kg; 12w -1.4kg. p 0.045). Throughout the study, there was an increase in muscle mass, and no significant difference was observed between groups. Conclusions: CR with protein supplementation in male professional soccer players reduces weight and promotes sustained fat loss over time without losing muscle mass.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Gloria García, Gustavo Díaz, Alexander Niño, María-Paula Belalcázar-Monsalve, Felipe Ballesteros-Arbeláez, Angélica Cruz, Juan Del-Campo, Carlos Tejero-González
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