Nutrition intake plays a crucial role in improving athletic performance, enhancing adaptations to training, and augmenting recovery from exercise. However, research has reported that Gaelic footballers consistently fail to meet energy and carbohydrate recommendations. Sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) can influence the dietary intake of athletes, and therefore has the potential to have a significant impact on athletic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the current level of SNK in elite Gaelic footballers (n = 100). An online version of the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (NSKQ) was used to assess sports SNK. The overall mean SNK scores for Gaelic footballers and practitioners were 47.6 ± 12.3% and 78.1 ± 8.3%, respectively. There were no differences in knowledge between age groups, education level or divisional status. The top three sources of nutrition information identified by participants were team dietitian/nutritionists (84.0%), athletic trainers/strength and conditioning coaches (73%), and social media (37%). The results show that there is a major gap in the SNK of Gaelic footballers, while practitioners demonstrated a promising SNK, that could support Gaelic footballers. There is a need for development of interventions and knowledge transfer partnerships, including more effective methods of educating Gaelic footballers and translating sports nutrition principles to players. Developing appropriate nutritional education strategies using online resources and mobile applications could help to improve nutritional knowledge and practice of Gaelic footballers.

While early weightbearing protocols have been advocated after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, early weightbearing after fibular (lateral) collateral ligament reconstruction has not been well defined. (1) To determine if early partial controlled weightbearing after fibular collateral ligament (FCL) reconstruction resulted in an objective difference in laxity on varus stress radiographs at postoperative 6 months as compared with nonweightbearing, and (2) to determine if there was a difference in pain, edema, range of motion, and subjective patient-reported outcomes between these groups at 3 time points. Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Patients were prospectively enrolled from January 2014 to April 2017. Patients who underwent isolated FCL reconstruction or combined ACL and FCL reconstructions were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (nonweightbearing for 6 weeks) or a treatment group (partial controlled weightbearing at 40% body weight with crutches for 6 weeks). Patient-related data, including knee pain, edema, and range of motion, were collected for all patients at postoperative day 1, 6 weeks, and 6 months. Subjective outcomes were collected preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. The primary objective endpoint was varus stability, evaluated by bilateral varus stress radiographs obtained preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in the study, with 6-month follow-up obtained for 36 (92%). There was a significant improvement between the preoperative side-to-side difference (SSD) (2.4 ± 1.0) and postoperative SSD (0.2 ± 1.0) for lateral compartment laxity on varus stress radiographs among all patients (P < .001). Clinical and statistical equivalence was found between groups in terms of SSD on varus stress radiographs (P < .001). The SSD in knee edema was significantly lower in the partial early weightbearing group (beta = −0.6 cm, P = .001), but there were no significant group differences in knee pain, flexion, or extension. All patients demonstrated significant improvements in subjective outcome scores between the preoperative and 6-month postoperative conditions (P < .001 for every score measured). Clinical and statistical equivalence was found at postoperative 6 months between the early partial weightbearing and nonweightbearing groups among patients undergoing either an isolated FCL reconstruction or a combined ACL and FCL reconstruction. There were no significant differences observed between the groups regarding knee stability, pain, swelling, range of motion, or subjective outcomes. Given these findings, the authors recommend early partial weightbearing after isolated FCL reconstruction or combined ACL and FCL reconstruction.

There is currently a lack of research into the energy demands and associated nutritional intakes of elite Gaelic football players during the pre-season period, which is a crucial time of year for physical development. The aim of the current study was to investigate the dietary intake and energy expenditure (EE) of elite Gaelic football players during a typical pre-season week. Over a seven-day period, which included four training days and three rest days, dietary intake (validated self-reported estimated food diary) and EE (Sensewear Pro armband) were recorded in 18 male players from a single elite inter-county Gaelic football team. Average energy intake (EI) (3283 ± 483 kcal) was significantly (p = 0.002) less than average EE (3743 ± 335 kcal), with a mean daily energy deficit of −460 ± 503 kcal. Training days elicited the greatest deficits between intake and expenditure. The mean carbohydrate (CHO) intake was 3.6 ± 0.7 g/kg/day, protein intake was 2.1 ± 0.5 g/kg/day, and fat intake was 1.6 ± 0.2 g/kg/day. These findings indicate that the dietary practices of the sampled players were inadequate to meet EE and CHO recommendations. Training days are of particular concern, with the players not altering energy and CHO intake to encounter increased energy demands. Education on nutritional strategies for elite Gaelic footballers should be considered in relation to training demands to avoid detriments to performance and health.

Background: Previous research has reported that elite Gaelic football players’ carbohydrate (CHO) intakes are sub-optimal, especially, in the lead up to competitive matches. Despite clear decrements in running performance across elite Gaelic football matches, there are no studies that have investigated nutrition interventions on match-related Gaelic football performance. The aim of this study was to determine whether a higher-CHO diet in line with sports nutrition guidelines can improve Gaelic football-related performance compared to lower CHO intakes previously observed in Gaelic footballers. Methods: Twelve Gaelic football players completed a Gaelic football simulation protocol (GFSP) on two occasions after consuming a high-CHO diet (7 g·kg⁻¹) (HCHO) or an energy-matched lower-CHO diet (3.5 g·kg⁻¹) (L-CHO) for 48 h. Movement demands and heart rate were measured using portable global positioning systems devices. Countermovement jump height (CMJ) and repeated-sprint ability (RSA) were measured throughout each trial. Expired respiratory gases were collected throughout the trial using a portable gas analyser. Blood samples were taken at rest, half-time, and post-simulation. Results: There was no significant difference in total distance (p = 0.811; η² = 0.005) or high-speed running distance (HSRD) covered between both trials. However, in the second half of the HCHO trial, HSRD was significantly greater compared to the second half of the LCHO trial (p = 0.015). Sprint distance covered during GFSP was significantly greater in HCHO (8.1 ± 3.5 m·min⁻¹) compared with LCHO (6.4 ± 3.2 m·min⁻¹) (p = 0.011; η² = 0.445). RSA performance (p < 0.0001; η² = 0.735) and lower body power (CMJ) (p < 0.0001; η² = 0.683) were significantly greater during the HCHO trial compared to LCHO. Overall CHO oxidation rates were significantly greater under HCHO conditions compared to LCHO (3.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.7 ± 0.6 g·min⁻¹) (p < 0.001; η² = 0.798). Blood lactate concentrations were significantly higher during HCHO trial versus LCHO (p = 0.026; η² = 0.375). There were no significant differences in plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol concentration between trials. In both trials, all blood metabolites were significantly elevated at half-time and post-trial compared to pre-trial. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a higher-CHO diet can reduce declines in physical performance during simulated Gaelic football match play.