Author(s): MULLEN, T., DOBBIN, N., Institution: MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY , Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 2365

INTRODUCTION:
Academy soccer players are exposed to unique and interacting performance, developmental and psychological demands which can increase energy requirements. Inadequate energy intake relative to exercise energy expenditure may result in low energy availability (LEA), characterised, in part, by changes in physiological function and psychological wellbeing. Despite these recognised contributing factors to LEA, data describing energy availability and associated physiological and psychological markers in male academy team sport athletes are limited.
METHODS:
Using a cross-sectional design, 33 elite male academy soccer players (age=19±2 y) completed a three-day food and activity diary to estimate energy intake, macronutrient intake and exercise energy expenditure. A 22% correction factor was applied to energy intake to account for underreporting. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured via pulmonary gas exchange and estimated (Hannon et al., 2023) to calculate RMRratio. Whole-body fat free mass (FFM) was estimated from skinfold thickness. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing wellbeing, training distress, burnout and eating disorder risk.
RESULTS:
Mean energy intake, exercise energy expenditure and energy availability over three days were 2445±493 kcal·d-1, 757±266 kcal·d-1 and 26±9 kcal·kgFFM·d-1, respectively. Twenty participants (63%) reported average energy availability below commonly used thresholds (<30 kcal·kgFFM·d-1), with three demonstrating an RMRratio below 0.90. Mean carbohydrate, protein and fat intake were 3.1±1.1 g/kg, 1.5±0.7 g/kg and 29.4±7.5% of total energy intake, respectively. Mean RMR and RMRratio were 2183±306 kcal·d-1 and 1.10±0.15, respectively. Mean wellbeing score was 22±7 AU, training distress 9±7 AU, physical and emotional exhaustion 11±3 AU, personal accomplishment 9±3 AU, sport devaluation 7±2 AU, total burnout 27±6 AU, and BEDA-Q 12.8±14.7%. Energy availability was moderately correlated with physical and emotional exhaustion (r=-0.412, p=0.019) and total burnout (r=-0.548, p=0.001). Small correlations were observed for personal accomplishment (rs=-0.395, p=0.025) and sport devaluation (rs=-0.350, p=0.050). A moderate positive correlation was found between energy availability and RMRratio (r=0.436, p=0.013). Trivial associations were observed with overall wellbeing (r=-0.121, p=0.508), training distress (rs=0.195, p=0.284) and eating disorder risk (rs=0.100, p=0.586).
CONCLUSION:
A substantial proportion of players demonstrated a mean energy availability below commonly used thresholds, with some indications of metabolic suppression. Lower energy availability was associated with greater physical and emotional exhaustion and overall burnout. These findings support routine monitoring of energy availability within academy soccer environments, particularly during periods of heightened performance, developmental and psychological demand.