These players eat more protein than most people need — about 1.9 grams per kg of body weight — but they might not need that much, especially if they’re not eating enough carbs.
Scientific Claim
Professional female football players consume an average of 1.9 ± 0.4 g/kg body mass of protein daily, which exceeds common general population recommendations but may be higher than necessary relative to their energy expenditure and training demands.
Original Statement
“Weighted mean protein intake was 1.9 ± 0.4 g/kg body mass.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The abstract reports the protein intake value without claiming it is excessive or inadequate. The interpretation of 'too high' is implied by the conclusion but not directly stated in the results — thus, the claim remains descriptive and appropriately worded.
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.
Randomized Controlled TrialLevel 1bWhether reducing protein intake from 1.9 g/kg to 1.6 g/kg (while increasing carbs) maintains muscle mass, recovery, and performance in female footballers.
Whether reducing protein intake from 1.9 g/kg to 1.6 g/kg (while increasing carbs) maintains muscle mass, recovery, and performance in female footballers.
What This Would Prove
Whether reducing protein intake from 1.9 g/kg to 1.6 g/kg (while increasing carbs) maintains muscle mass, recovery, and performance in female footballers.
Ideal Study Design
A double-blind RCT of 50 professional female football players randomized to either 1.9 g/kg protein (current) or 1.6 g/kg protein + increased carbohydrate intake (target: 6 g/kg on match days) for 12 weeks, measuring lean mass (DXA), muscle protein synthesis (stable isotope), and training performance.
Limitation: Cannot determine long-term effects on bone health or hormonal balance.
Prospective Cohort StudyLevel 2bWhether higher protein intake (>1.8 g/kg) is associated with better muscle retention or recovery outcomes in female footballers over a season.
Whether higher protein intake (>1.8 g/kg) is associated with better muscle retention or recovery outcomes in female footballers over a season.
What This Would Prove
Whether higher protein intake (>1.8 g/kg) is associated with better muscle retention or recovery outcomes in female footballers over a season.
Ideal Study Design
A 10-month prospective cohort of 100+ players tracking daily protein intake (food logs) and outcomes: muscle mass (DXA), creatine kinase (recovery marker), and injury incidence, adjusting for total energy intake and training load.
Limitation: Cannot prove causation — higher protein may reflect higher overall intake or better nutrition awareness.
Cross-Sectional StudyLevel 3In EvidenceThe prevalence of protein intake above 1.8 g/kg among professional female football players and its association with dietary patterns.
The prevalence of protein intake above 1.8 g/kg among professional female football players and its association with dietary patterns.
What This Would Prove
The prevalence of protein intake above 1.8 g/kg among professional female football players and its association with dietary patterns.
Ideal Study Design
A multicenter cross-sectional study of 250+ professional female football players across 15 leagues, measuring protein intake via 7-day food diaries and classifying intake as low (<1.6), moderate (1.6–1.8), or high (>1.8 g/kg), and correlating with total energy intake and macronutrient distribution.
Limitation: Cannot determine if high intake is intentional, beneficial, or wasteful.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The study found that female pro soccer players eat about 1.9 grams of protein per kg of body weight, just like the claim says, and also found that they don’t actually need that much protein — they should focus more on eating carbs instead.