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Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes
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Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2026) | Viewed by 34215

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Filipa Vicente

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Applied Nutrition Research Group (GENA), Nutrition Lab, CIIEM—Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Interests: medical and health sciences; nutrition and dietetics; sports nutrition
Dr. Paula C. Pereira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Applied Nutrition Research Group (GENA), Nutrition Lab, CIIEM—Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, 2829-511 Almada, Portugal
Interests: foods; nutrition education; food intake assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports practice in childhood and adolescence is recommended not only as part of a healthy lifestyle but also for its importance in youth development. In addition to school physical activity classes, youth often adhere to organized sports outside the school environment, and in spite this, at an amateur level, it is often competitive. This involves regular and intensive practice as well as an increasing demand on physical effort and a paradigm change in the role of exercise in these age groups.

Therefore, there is a growing concern in the sports nutrition area for young athletes. 

This Special Issue explores the latest scientific advancements in sports nutrition tailored for active young individuals.

It aims to provide evidence-based insights into the adequacy of food and nutrient intake in several sports practices at young ages (e.g., soccer, swimming, volleyball) as well as the characterization of body composition and growth, adherence to healthy dietary patterns and knowledge assessment on sports nutrition topics.

The ultimate question is whether young athletes are meeting the energy and nutrient requirements for proper growth and development, and we aim to build evidence on future research about sports nutrition knowledge and food education programs tailored for these age groups.

Dr. Filipa Vicente
Dr. Paula C. Pereira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • young athletes
  • sports nutrition
  • nutrition education
  • nutrient requirements
  • food intake
  • dietary patterns
  • youth sports

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3278 KB  
Article
Effects of Rhodiola rosea on Physical and Decision-Making Performance in Football Players: A Randomised Controlled Trial
by Yue Dou, Yaqing Wang, Wei Zhang, Yuewei Jiang, Jiyao Zhang, Tao Yang, Ziqi Han, Yaotong Li, Chang Liu and Dingmeng Ren
Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050724 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1096
Abstract
Objectives: To determine whether four weeks of Rhodiola rosea (RHO) supplementation improves intermittent exercise performance, post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, and decision-making under fatigue in competitive football players. Methods: Twenty-four male competitive football players completed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week intervention (RHO vs. [...] Read more.
Objectives: To determine whether four weeks of Rhodiola rosea (RHO) supplementation improves intermittent exercise performance, post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, and decision-making under fatigue in competitive football players. Methods: Twenty-four male competitive football players completed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week intervention (RHO vs. placebo). Outcomes included Yo-Yo IR2, repeated-sprint ability (RSA), post-RSA blood lactate (0, 3, 5 min), football-specific technical tests (passing and shooting), a video-based decision-making task (reaction time and accuracy), GPS-derived match running metrics, countermovement jump (CMJ), foot tapping (TAP), and haematological markers. Results: Yo-Yo IR2 performance significantly improved in the RHO group (p = 0.012) and was superior to the placebo group (p = 0.046). For RSA, mean sprint time improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention in the RHO group (p = 0.017), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Post-intervention, mean sprint time was significantly better in RHO than placebo (p = 0.041), with no between-group difference observed at baseline. Best sprint time showed no between-group difference (p = 0.723). Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were significantly lower in RHO than placebo at 0, 3, and 5 min (all p < 0.05). Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (p = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (p = 0.049) than placebo. Additionally, the RHO group showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in passing and shooting performance (p < 0.05), with between-group differences observed only for short-pass performance. Match total and high-speed running distances were higher in RHO, accompanied by increases in haemoglobin and haematocrit (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Four weeks of Rhodiola rosea supplementation enhanced high-intensity intermittent performance and decision-making under fatigue, with findings suggesting improved performance maintenance rather than increased peak sprint capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes)
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11 pages, 578 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of a Nutrition Education Programme on Nutritional Knowledge in Young Football Players: A Pilot Study
by Filipa Vicente, Leandro Anastácio, Andreia Monteiro, José Brito, Renata Ramalho and Paula Pereira
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2404; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152404 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3182
Abstract
Background: Adequate nutrition is fundamental to the health and performance of young athletes. However, many fail to meet nutritional recommendations. Nutrition education programmes are promising, cost-effective strategies for improving dietary habits. However, research gaps persist, coupled with notable variability amongst the intervention programmes [...] Read more.
Background: Adequate nutrition is fundamental to the health and performance of young athletes. However, many fail to meet nutritional recommendations. Nutrition education programmes are promising, cost-effective strategies for improving dietary habits. However, research gaps persist, coupled with notable variability amongst the intervention programmes targeting youth athletes. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional knowledge of Portuguese youth athletes and to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education programme in improving football players’ understanding of a healthy diet. Methods: Participants were recruited from a local football club through public announcement. Male youth football players aged 13 to 18 years, training at least 3 times per week and competing regularly over the past six months, were eligible. The baseline assessment included anthropometric measurements, an assessment of the adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the KIDMED questionnaire, and an assessment of general and sports nutrition knowledge via a structured questionnaire. Following the intervention—comprising three face-to-face educational sessions and two digital infographics—the KIDMED and nutrition knowledge questionnaires were re-administered. Results: A sample of 38 male footballers were eligible for this study. Most participants exhibited a healthy body weight, with a corresponding adequate body composition. The mean KIDMED score indicated moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet with no statistically significant difference between the baseline and post-intervention (6.79 ± 1.52 versus 6.97 ± 2.01, p > 0.05). There was a significant enhancement in overall nutrition knowledge, accompanied by notable improvements in the comprehension of macro- and micronutrient sources and sports nutrition principles. Conclusions: This pilot programme proved effective in enhancing young football players’ knowledge of nutrient sources and sports nutrition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes)
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Review

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20 pages, 328 KB  
Review
Optimizing Performance Nutrition for Adolescent Athletes: A Review of Dietary Needs, Risks, and Practical Strategies
by Sotiria Everett
Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2792; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172792 - 28 Aug 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 25907
Abstract
Adolescent athletes face unique nutritional challenges due to the simultaneous demands of growth, development, and athletic performance. This review synthesizes current evidence on energy and macronutrient requirements, hydration strategies, and key micronutrients, including iron, calcium, and vitamin D, which are essential for supporting [...] Read more.
Adolescent athletes face unique nutritional challenges due to the simultaneous demands of growth, development, and athletic performance. This review synthesizes current evidence on energy and macronutrient requirements, hydration strategies, and key micronutrients, including iron, calcium, and vitamin D, which are essential for supporting health and performance in youth sport. It explores the physiological risks associated with low energy availability (LEA), while emphasizing the importance of carbohydrate and protein timing, quality, and distribution. The review also evaluates the role of dietary supplements and ergogenic aids, including creatine and energy drinks, highlighting safety concerns and advocating for a food-first approach. Practical strategies for nutrition education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and individualized care are presented to guide healthcare professionals, coaches, and caregivers in fostering sustainable, performance-supportive eating habits. By aligning intake with training demands and developmental needs, adolescent athletes can optimize performance, recovery, and long-term well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

51 pages, 1851 KB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Low-Carbohydrate and Ketogenic Diets on Aerobic Performance in Trained Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Mateusz Gawelczyk, Magdalena Kaszuba, Adam Zając and Adam Maszczyk
Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050740 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 2560
Abstract
Background/Objectives: While traditional sports nutrition emphasizes high carbohydrate intake for endurance athletes, trained athletes may achieve metabolic adaptation to low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets with maintained or improved performance outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize evidence on the effects of low-carbohydrate (≤130 g·day [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: While traditional sports nutrition emphasizes high carbohydrate intake for endurance athletes, trained athletes may achieve metabolic adaptation to low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets with maintained or improved performance outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize evidence on the effects of low-carbohydrate (≤130 g·day−1 or ≤25% total energy) and ketogenic (<50 g·day−1 or <10% total energy) diets on aerobic performance variables in trained athletes. Methods: A comprehensive search of five electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) identified 33 aerobic-focused studies meeting comprehensive inclusion criteria. Selected studies examined trained athletes (≥6 months structured training, age 18–45 years) randomized to low-carbohydrate, ketogenic, or high-carbohydrate control conditions with outcome data on aerobic performance variables (VO2max, time trial performance, time to exhaustion, and exercise economy) and metabolic markers (fat oxidation and substrate utilization). Quality assessment employed Newcastle-Ottawa Scale methodology. Results: Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) was preserved in 50.0% of studies, with 11.1% documenting improvements. Submaximal exercise economy showed the greatest sensitivity, with 50.0% documenting impaired efficiency. Time to exhaustion demonstrated context-dependent effects, with 69.2% maintaining performance. All 30 studies measuring fat oxidation demonstrated consistent increases (+28% to +200%). Critically, temporal analysis identified a 1-week adaptation threshold: studies measuring outcomes within ≤7 days documented performance impairment, while studies measuring at >1 week consistently demonstrated maintained or improved performance. Conclusions: Low-carbohydrate diets reliably induce metabolic adaptation characterized by dramatically increased fat oxidative capacity. However, aerobic performance responses are nuanced, with preserved maximal aerobic power, transient submaximal efficiency impairments, and context-dependent endurance effects. Adaptation involves initial acute-phase decrements (≤7 days) followed by recovery. Evidence supports periodized carbohydrate strategies balancing metabolic adaptation benefits from low-carbohydrate training phases with carbohydrate requirements during competition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fueling the Future: Advances in Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes)
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