School of Sport Exercise and Nutrition, College of Health, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand.
School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia.
Nutrients. 2023 May 29;15(11):2519. doi: 10.3390/nu15112519.
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 ( = 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.
营养教育（NE）是旨在提高运动员饮食摄入的几种策略之一。本研究调查了新西兰和澳大利亚的全国性和国际性运动员对营养教育的偏好。22 项运动的 124 名运动员（年龄 22（18，27）岁，女性 54.8%）完成了在线调查，使用描述性统计方法分析了回复。被认为“非常有效”的教学技巧包括生活实例（47.6%的运动员）、实践活动（30.6%）和与指导者进行讨论（30.6%）。大多数运动员认为设定个人营养目标很重要（83.9%），与指导者进行双向反馈也很重要（75.0%）。一般认为“必不可少”的营养主题包括能量需求（52.9%）、水合作用（52.9%）和营养不足（43.3%）。被认为“必不可少”的表现主题包括恢复（58.1%）、运动前营养（51.6%）、运动期间的营养（50.0%）和训练的能量需求（49.2%）。运动员更喜欢“面对面小组和一对一课程的组合”（25%的运动员）、“一对一课程”（19.2%）和“面对面小组课程”（18.3%），只有 13.3%的运动员对“完全在线授课”感兴趣。参与者喜欢每月进行一次 31-60 分钟的课程（61.3%的运动员），并与具有相同运动水平的运动员一起进行（61.3%）。首选的指导者是运动营养师或营养学家（82.1%的运动员），他们具备运动知识（85.5%）、运动营养经验（76.6%）和可信度（73.4%）。这项研究为设计和实施运动员营养教育时需要考虑的因素提供了新的见解。
