Sports Nutrition Knowledge among in-coming Division I University Student-Athletes

Competitive athletes have goals to optimize performance and to maintain healthy body composition. Sports nutrition is a component of training programs often overlooked by student-athletes and their coaches. The purpose of this study was to examine student-athletes’ sports nutrition knowledge across sex, class level, team, and completion of prior nutrition coursework. Participants included 123 mid-major Division I university student-athletes (47 females and 76 males) from baseball, softball, men’s soccer, track and field, and tennis. The student-athletes completed a survey questionnaire to determine adequate sports nutrition knowledge (mean ≥ 75%). The overall mean sports nutrition knowledge score for the student-athletes was 56.9% which was considered inadequate sports nutrition knowledge (mean < 75%). Only 12 student-athletes achieved adequate sports nutrition knowledge score of 75% or higher. There were no differences by sex, class level, team, and completion of prior nutrition coursework. Student-athletes’ inadequate sports nutrition knowledge may place them at nutrition risk, lead to impaired performance, and affect their lean body mass and energy levels. Athletics personnel should not assume student-athletes have adequate sports nutrition knowledge. Athletic departments may make available a board certified Sports Dietitian or Registered Dietitian and offer classroom or online courses facilitating student-athletes to optimize nutrition knowledge and behaviors.

Download Full-text

Sports Nutrition Knowledge, Primary Sources of Nutrition Information, Perception of Nutrition for Athletic Performance and Advice Desired from a CSSD: A Survey of Student-Athletes at a DI Institution

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2019.08.166 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 119 (10) ◽

pp. A149

Author(s):

K. Kimmel ◽

T. Stoermann ◽

K. Pike ◽

K. Lee ◽

C. Friesen

Keyword(s):

Athletic Performance ◽

Student Athletes ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Sports Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Information ◽

Primary Sources

Download Full-text

Assessment of Sports Nutrition Knowledge of NCAA Division I Collegiate Athletes

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2020.06.051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 120 (9) ◽

pp. A75

Author(s):

J. Danh ◽

J. Kurtz ◽

A. Nucci ◽

J. Doyle ◽

R. Feresin

Keyword(s):

Ncaa Division I ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Sports Nutrition ◽

Division I

Download Full-text

Assessment of Sports Nutrition Knowledge, Sources and Recommendations of Coaches and Athletic Trainers at a Division I University and The Perceived Impact of a CSSD to an Athletic Team

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2019.08.079 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 119 (10) ◽

pp. A124

Author(s):

T. Stoermann ◽

K. Kimmel ◽

K. Pike ◽

K. Lee ◽

C. Friesen

Keyword(s):

Athletic Trainers ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Sports Nutrition ◽

Division I ◽

Knowledge Sources ◽

Athletic Team ◽

Perceived Impact

Download Full-text

Need for and Interest in a Sports Nutrition Mobile Device Application Among Division I Collegiate Athletes

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0305 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 43-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Krystle E. Zuniga ◽

Darcy L. Downey ◽

Ryan McCluskey ◽

Carley Rivers

Keyword(s):

Mobile Device ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Sports Nutrition ◽

Division I ◽

Nutrition Information ◽

Strength And Conditioning ◽

Device Application

The majority of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs do not have a sports nutritionist, leaving athletes to gather information from resources that vary in reputability. The objective of this study was to identify a need for the development of accessible and reputable resources of nutrition information by assessing the current use of nutrition information resources, dietary habits, and sports nutrition knowledge among Division I collegiate athletes. Seventy-two athletes across eight sports completed questionnaires concerning nutrition resources used, dietary habits, and sports nutrition knowledge. In addition, interest levels in a mobile device application for delivery of nutrition information and tools were assessed. Primary sources for nutrition information included parents and family, athletic trainers (AT), and the internet/media, and athletes felt most comfortable discussing nutrition with parents and family, ATs, and strength and conditioning specialists. Performance on a sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire indicated a general lack of nutrition knowledge, and the high frequency of “unsure” responses suggested a lack of confidence in nutrition knowledge. Athletes conveyed a high likelihood that they would use a mobile device application as a nutrition resource, but were more interested in access to nutrition topics than tools such as a food log. We found that college athletes possess minimal sports nutrition knowledge, obtain nutrition information from nonprofessional resources, and were interested in utilizing a mobile device application as a resource. Further research is needed to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of alternative resources, such as a mobile device application, to deliver nutrition information and improve nutrition knowledge.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Dietary Intake, Body Composition and Sports Nutrition Knowledge of NCAA Division I Female Collegiate Volleyball Players

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa066_006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1751-1751

Author(s):

Jessica Danh ◽

Anita Nucci ◽

J Andrew Doyle ◽

Rafaela Feresin

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Body Composition ◽

Ncaa Division I ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Sports Nutrition ◽

Division I ◽

Fat Intake ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Volleyball Players

Abstract Objectives To assess nutritional intake, body composition and sports nutrition knowledge of NCAA Division I female volleyball players. Methods Nutritional intake was assessed using three-day food records. Daily average energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and specific vitamins and minerals intakes were analyzed using Food Processor 11.1. These values were compared to the recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Sports nutrition knowledge was assessed using an 87-question validated nutrition for sports knowledge questionnaire (NSKQ). Athletes were also asked to state their sources for nutrition knowledge. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Descriptive data (mean ± SD) and Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated using SPSS 26.0 with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Results Fourteen female volleyball players (age: 19.6 ± 1.3 y, height: 174.9 ± 8.2 cm, weight: 73.2 ± 8.5 kg, BMI: 24.1 ± 2.5 kg/m2; body fat: 25.2 ± 3.4%) completed the study. Athletes’ mean energy intake was 24.7 ± 6.4 kcal/kg BW/day, while carbohydrate, protein and fat intake were 2.9 ± 0.92, 1.3 ± 0.44, and 0.88 ± 0.28 g/kg BW/day, respectively. Vitamin D intake was 137.1 ± 90.7 IU/day and calcium intake was 673.4 ± 352.5 mg/day. Energy and carbohydrate intake were lower than the ACSM recommendations (37–41 kcal/kg BW/day and 6–10 g/kg BW/day, respectively) while fat intake was higher. Protein intake fell within the recommended ranges (1.2–1.7 g/kg BW/day). Additionally, vitamin D and calcium were lower than the recommendations. The average NSKQ score was 45.4 ± 9.6% and was positively associated with weight (r = .738, P = 0.003) and vitamin D intake (r = .587, P = 0.027). Weight management score (51.8 ± 15.4%) was positively associated with weight (r = .676, P = 0.008). Four athletes included a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) as a source of nutrition information. In contrast, twelve athletes listed athletic trainers as a source. Conclusions The average NSKQ score suggests that NCAA Division I female volleyball players lack adequate sports nutrition knowledge which may be associated with inadequate energy and nutrient intakes. Athletes may benefit from nutrition education and counseling for improved performance and health from RDNs. Funding Sources There are no funding sources.

Download Full-text