Nutritional Intake in Australian Football Players: Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake

Elite Australian football players consumed an average of 14,140 kJ of energy, significantly higher than the 10,412 kJ average for sub-elite players.

• Elite players had a higher fat intake of 40% compared to 34% in sub-elite players.
• 77% of elite players and 68% of sub-elite players exceeded the recommended protein intake.
• Carbohydrate intake was below the recommended levels for 91% of elite players and 97% of sub-elite players.
• Both elite and sub-elite players exceeded sodium intake recommendations.
• Players answered only 51% of questions correctly on a sports nutrition knowledge quiz, with lower accuracy on supplement-related questions (27% for elite, 18% for sub-elite).
• Nutritional intake among players was inconsistent with current recommendations for macronutrients and some micronutrients.

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