Free-sugar, total-sugar, fibre and micronutrient intake within elite youth British soccer players: a nutritional transition from schoolboy to fulltime soccer player.

It is recommended that soccer players consume a high carbohydrate (CHO) diet to augment performance. However, growing evidence suggests that there is a link between high free-sugar (FS) intake (>5% total energy intake; TEI) and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, foods that are often high in sugar, such as processed foods, are typically lacking in nutrient quality. We therefore analysed total- and FS, dietary fibre and micronutrient intake of players from an English Premier League academy under(U) 18 (n=13); U15/16 (n=25); U13/14 (n=21) using a 7-day food diary. Data was compared to current UK dietary reference value (DRV) for free-sugar via a t-test. The U13/14s (1018 %) and U15/16s (1130 %) both consumed higher amounts of free-sugar in comparison to the UK DRV of 5% TEI 5% (P<0.01), conversely, the U18s did not exceed the DRV (513 %). Furthermore, FS intake of the U18s was significantly lower than the U13/14s and U15/16s (P<0.01). Dietary fibre was below the DRV (25g/d for U13/14 & U15/16s; 30g/d for U18s) for all squads (19.04.7; 19.68.3; 17.14.2 g/d, respectively), but not different between squads. Additionally, micronutrient reference intakes were generally met. In conclusion, we provide novel data on dietary sugar, fibre and micronutrient intake within elite youth soccer players. We report an apparent 'nutritional transition' from schoolboy to fulltime soccer player, with U18s showing a significantly lower intake of sugar in comparison to younger squads, and a similar intake of FS to the UK DRVs. Practitioners should target improving player education around sugar and fibre consumption

Planning Framework Options for The Massachusetts Ocean Plan (DRAFT)

The Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) Planning Frameworks Team, in consultation with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and based on collective experience and a review of ocean, coastal and resource management programs from the US and other countries, suggests that nine elements are essential components of the framework for the Massachusetts Ocean Plan and its implementation. While management plans and programs generally have these elements in common, there are a range of options for carrying out each program component. These options were presented to structure and inform the development of the Massachusetts Ocean Plan. For the most part, the range of options represents those that were considered to be appropriate under the Commonwealth’s existing legal and administrative structure and responsive to the requirements of the Massachusetts Ocean Act. However, the general concepts these options represent are likely to be transferable to other jurisdictions (especially in the United States) and can inform future ocean management and planning in Massachusetts. Additionally, options or their core elements can be combined to create additional alternatives within one of the nine planning components

Unilateral jumps in different directions: a novel assessment of soccer-associated power?

Objectives We aimed to determine whether countermovement jumps (CMJs; unilateral and bilateral) performed in different directions assessed independent lower-limb power qualities, and if unilateral CMJs would better differentiate between elite and non-elite soccer players than the bilateral vertical (BV) CMJ. Design Elite (n = 23; age, 18.1 ± 1.0 years) and non-elite (n = 20; age, 22.3 ± 2.7 years) soccer players performed three BV, unilateral vertical (UV), unilateral horizontal-forward (UH) and unilateral medial (UM) CMJs. Methods Jump performance (height and projectile range), kinetic and kinematic variables from ground reaction forces, and peak activation levels of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris (BF) muscles from surface electromyography, were compared between jumps and groups of players. Results Peak vertical power (V-power) was greater in BV (220.2 ± 30.1 W/kg) compared to UV (144.1 ± 16.2 W/kg), which was greater than UH (86.7 ± 18.3 W/kg) and UM (85.5 ± 13.5 W/kg) (all, p < 0.05) but there was no difference between UH and UM (p = 1.000). Peak BF EMG was greater in UH compared to all other CMJs (p ≤ 0.001). V-power was greater in elite than non-elite for all CMJs (p ≤ 0.032) except for BV (p = 0.197). Elite achieved greater UH projectile range than non-elite (51.6 ± 15.4 vs. 40.4 ± 10.4 cm, p = 0.009). Conclusions We have shown that UH, UV and UM CMJs assess distinct lower-limb muscular power capabilities in soccer players. Furthermore, as elite players outperformed non-elite players during unilateral but not BV CMJs, unilateral CMJs in different directions should be included in soccer-specific muscular power assessment and talent identification protocols, rather than the BV CMJ

Patellar tendon properties distinguish elite from non-elite soccer players and are related to peak horizontal but not vertical power

Purpose: The aims of our study were to investigate differences in tendon properties between elite and non-elite soccer players, and to establish whether tendon properties were related to power assessed during unilateral jumps in different directions. Methods: Elite (n=16; age, 18.1 ± 1.0yrs) and non-elite (n=13; age, 22.3 ± 2.7yrs) soccer players performed three repetitions of each type (unilateral vertical, unilateral horizontal-forward and unilateral medial) of countermovement jump (CMJ) on a force plate. Patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area (CSA), elongation, stiffness and Young’s modulus (measured at the highest common force interval) were assessed with ultrasonography and isokinetic dynamometry. Results: Elite soccer players demonstrated greater PT elongation (6.83±1.87 vs. 4.92±1.88 mm, P=0.011) and strain (11.73±3.25 vs. 8.38±3.06 %, P=0.009) than non-elite. Projectile range and peak horizontal power during unilateral horizontal-forward CMJ correlated positively with tendon elongation (r=0.657 and 0.693, P<0.001) but inversely with Young’s modulus (r=-0.376 and -0.402, P=0.044 and 0.031). Peak medial power during unilateral medial CMJ correlated positively with tendon elongation (r=0.658, P=<0.001) but inversely with tendon stiffness (r=-0.368, P=0.050). No tendon property correlated with unilateral vertical CMJ performance (r≤0.168; P≥0.204). Conclusions: Patellar tendon strain was greater in elite vs. non-elite soccer players and can therefore be considered an indicator of elite soccer playing status. Moreover, a more compliant patellar tendon appears to facilitate unilateral horizontal-forward and medial, but not vertical CMJ performance in soccer players. These findings should be considered when prescribing the detail of talent selection and development protocols related to direction-specific power in elite soccer players

Body composition assessment of English Premier League soccer players: a comparative DXA analysis of first team, U21 and U18 squads

Professional soccer players from the first team (1st team, n = 27), under twenty-one (U21, n = 21) and under eighteen (U18, n = 35) squads of an English Premier League soccer team were assessed for whole body and regional estimates of body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Per cent body fat was lower in 1st team (10.0 ± 1.6) compared with both U21 (11.6 ± 2.5, P = 0.02) and U18 (11.4 ± 2.6, P = 0.01) players. However, this difference was not due to variations (P = 0.23) in fat mass between squads (7.8 ± 1.6 v 8.8 ± 2.1 v 8.2 ± 2.4 kg, respectively) but rather the presence of more lean mass in 1st team (66.9 ± 7.1 kg, P < 0.01) and U21 (64.6 ± 6.5 kg, P = 0.02) compared with U18 (60.6 ± 6.3 kg) players. Accordingly, fat mass index was not different (P = 0.138) between squads, whereas lean mass index was greater (P < 0.01) in 1st team players (20.0 ± 1.1 kg · m−2) compared with U18 players (18.8 ± 1.4 kg · m−2). Differences in lean mass were also reflective of higher lean tissue mass in all regions, for example, upper limbs/lower limbs and trunk. Data suggest that training and nutritional interventions for younger players should therefore be targeted to lean mass growth as opposed to body fat loss

Ovine tracheal epithelial cell cultures display stable barrier function and junctional integrity.

<p>(A) Ovine tracheal epithelial cell cultures were grown at ALI for the indicated number of days (relative to establishment of the ALI) and tissue layers were fixed and immunostained using an anti-ZO1 antibody at the indicated time points (relative to establishment of the ALI). (B) Orthogonal representation of ALI culture at 24 days post-ALI. (C) 3-dimensional model of the Z-stack shown in panel B. (D) TEER measurements from four independent cell culture inserts at each time-point. Results for ALI cultures derived from three independent animals are shown (mean +/- standard deviation).</p

Ovine tracheal epithelial cells differentiate optimally at sub-ambient oxygen tension.

<p>Ovine tracheal epithelial cells were cultured in an atmosphere of 7, 14 or 21% O₂. (A) Immunofluorescent staining with anti-β-tubulin (green), rhodamine-phalloidin (red) and DAPI (blue). (B) Scanning electron microscopy. (C) Immunofluorescent staining with anti-ZO-1 (green) and DAPI (blue). (D) Haematoxylin and eosin-stained histological sections. (E) Quantitation of ciliation as percentage of total area from β-tubulin staining. (F) Trans-epithelial electrical resistance measurements. Data shown are from a single representative animal with mean +/- standard deviation from three inserts displayed. (G) Quantitation of ciliation by counting ciliated cells in H&E-stained sections. (E, G) Five images from each of three inserts were analysed and data displayed is mean +/- standard deviation from four animals. Statistical significance was assessed by Student’s <i>t</i>-test (E and G) or one-way ANOVA with Dunnet’s post-test (F). Significance values are indicated by one (<i>P</i><0.05), two (<i>P</i><0.01) or three (<i>P</i><0.001) asterisks.</p

Mucus production by differentiated ovine tracheal epithelial cell cultures.

<p>(A) Ovine tracheal epithelial cell cultures were grown at ALI for the indicated number of days (relative to establishment of the ALI), fixed and processed for SEM. (B) Ovine tracheal epithelial cell cultures were grown for the indicated number of days, fixed and stained with jacalin-FITC (green), rhodamine-phalloidin (red) and DAPI (blue). Mucus globules are indicated by white arrows, carpets of amorphous mucus are indicated by white arrowheads and jacalin-labelled mucin-positive cells are indicated by yellow arrows.</p

Retinoic acid is required for <i>in vitro</i> differentiation of ovine tracheal epithelial cells.

<p>Ovine tracheal epithelial cells were cultured at ALI for 21 days with the indicated concentrations of retinoic acid. (A) Immunofluorescent staining with anti-β-tubulin (green), rhodamine-phalloidin (red) and DAPI (blue). (B) Scanning electron microscopy. (C) Immunofluorescent staining with anti-ZO-1 (green) and DAPI (blue). (D) Haematoxylin and eosin-stained histological sections. (E) Quantitation of ciliation as percentage of total area from β-tubulin staining. (F) Trans-epithelial electrical resistance measurements. Data shown are from a single representative animal with mean +/- standard deviation from three inserts displayed. (G) Cell layer thickness measured from three points per field in H&E-stained sections. (H) Cell layer thickness as determined by counting nuclei at three points per field in H&E-stained sections. (I) Quantitation of ciliation by counting ciliated cells in H&E-stained sections. (E, G, H, I) Five images from each of three inserts were analysed and data displayed is mean +/- standard deviation from four animals. Statistical significance was assessed by Student’s <i>t</i>-test (E, G, H and I) or one-way ANOVA with Dunnet’s post-test (F). Significance values are indicated by one (<i>P</i><0.05), two (<i>P</i><0.01) or three (<i>P</i><0.001) asterisks. Black asterisks indicate all samples were significantly different to untreated control in panel F.</p