Effects Of Nutrition, Hydration, Exertion, And Sleep On Injury And Illness In Female Collegiate Soccer Players

ABSTRACT Injury and illness rates in collegiate athletics continue to rise. Women’s soccer tends to have high numbers of injuries because it is a contact sport. Research has shown that there are several contributing factors to injury and illness rate in collegiate athletics. This study will provide an in depth look at female athletes, more specifically female collegiate soccer players and several factors – including dietary intake, hydration status, exertion and sleep that may attribute to injury and illness in this population. Researchers utilized weekly 3-day diet records, daily urine specific gravity, training load and self-reported sleep quantity to establish a relationship with injury and illness. Twenty-four NCAA Division I college soccer players were recruited to provide data throughout the course of pre- and competition season. Statistical analysis shoa statistically significant effect of hydration and sleep on injury and illness. A statistically significant effect was not found between training load and injury and illness. Data from the 3-day diet records shoa statistical imbalance and violated assumptions, therefore no relationship was found between caloric intake and injury and illness. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that hydration and sleep play a significant contributing role in the occurrence of injury and illness in female collegiate soccer players. Based on this finding it is recommended that athletes sleep a minimum of 8 hours per night and properly hydrate before, during and after competition