Association between dietary intake, energy availability, and recovery in young sub-elite Moroccan football players

Abstract

Abstract Background Energy availability is recognized as an important factor for health and performance in athletes, yet data in male football players and its relationship with post-exercise recovery remain limited. This study aimed to examine the associations between daily energy intake, energy availability, and recovery outcomes in football players. Methods Nineteen outfield U21 players (n = 19) from a national championship in Morocco were monitored over four in-season weeks. On one training day, one rest day and one official match day per week, players completed 24-h dietary recalls, from which energy intake and macronutrient intake were quantified using Nutrilog software. Exercise energy expenditure was estimated and energy availability was calculated. Internal load was assessed using session rating of perceived exertion, subjective recovery with the Perceived Recovery Status scale 24-h post-session, and neuromuscular recovery via countermovement jump height. Results Mean daily EI did not differ significantly between match, training, and rest days (p = 0.066), whereas EA was significantly lower on training days compared with match and rest days (both p ≤ 0.003). Higher EA was strongly associated with lower RPE (ρ = −0.597, p < 0.001) and modestly with higher PRS (ρ = 0.273, p = 0.001), while its association with CMJ was small and non-significant (ρ = 0.124, p = 0.132). Higher EI showed a moderate inverse correlation with RPE (ρ = −0.404, p < 0.001) and a small positive correlation with PRS (ρ = 0.173, p = 0.035), but no significant association with CMJ. Across EA categories, RPE, PRS and CMJ all differed significantly (p ≤ 0.014). Conclusion Inadequate fueling relative to training demands leads to reduced EA, particularly on training days, and is associated with a lower recovery profile. Monitoring EA alongside simple field-based markers such as RPE and PRS may help practitioners identify periods of suboptimal fueling and adjust nutritional strategies accordingly.