Athlete Preferences for Nutrition Education: Development of and Findings from a Quantitative Survey

Author:

Solly Hayley1,Badenhorst Claire E.1ORCID,McCauley Matson1,Slater Gary J.23ORCID,Gifford Janelle A.4,Erueti Bevan5,Beck Kathryn L.1

Affiliation:

1. School of Sport Exercise and Nutrition, College of Health, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand

2. School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia

3. Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia

4. Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

5. School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Massey University, Palmerston North 4472, New Zealand

Abstract

Nutrition education (NE) is one of several strategies aimed at enhancing the dietary intake of athletes. This study investigated NE preferences of New Zealand and Australian athletes competing nationally and internationally. Athletes (n = 124, 22 (18, 27) years, female 54.8%) from 22 sports completed an online survey, with responses analysed using descriptive statistics. Teaching techniques considered ‘extremely effective’ were life examples (47.6% of athletes), hands-on activities (30.6%), and discussions with a facilitator (30.6%). Setting personal nutrition goals was important to most athletes (83.9%), along with two-way feedback with a facilitator (75.0%). General nutrition topics considered ‘essential’ were energy requirements (52.9%), hydration (52.9%), and nutrient deficiencies (43.3%). Performance topics considered ‘essential’ were recovery (58.1%), pre-exercise nutrition (51.6%), nutrition during exercise (50.0%), and energy requirements for training (49.2%). Athletes preferred a ‘combination of in-person group and one-on-one sessions’ (25% of athletes), ‘one-on one sessions’ (19.2%) and ‘in-person group sessions’ (18.3%), with only 13.3% interested in ‘exclusively online delivery’. Sessions of 31–60 min (61.3% of athletes) held monthly (37.5%) and undertaken with athletes of the same sporting calibre (61.3%) were favoured by the participants. The preferred facilitator was a performance dietitian or nutritionist (82.1% of athletes), who had knowledge of the sport (85.5%), experience in sports nutrition (76.6%), and credibility (73.4%). This research provides novel insights into the factors that need to be considered when designing and implementing nutrition education for athletes.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Food Science,Nutrition and Dietetics

Reference57 articles.

1. American College of Sports Medicine, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada (2016). Joint Position Statement: Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Med. Sci. Sport. Exerc., 48, 543–568.

2. Relationship between general nutrition knowledge and dietary quality in elite athletes;Spronk;Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab.,2015

3. Burkhart, S.J., and Pelly, F.E. (2016). Dietary intake of athletes seeking nutrition advice at a major international competition. Nutrients, 8.

4. Dietary intakes of elite 14- to 19-year-old English academy rugby players during a pre-season training period;Smith;Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab.,2016

5. Nutritional habits of Flemish adolescent sprint athletes;Aerenhouts;Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab.,2008

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