Department of Sports Tourism, Faculty of Physical Culture Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznan, Poland.
Nutrients. 2024 Oct 21;16(20):3568. doi: 10.3390/nu16203568.
The aim of this study was to analyze the needs and preferences of sports volunteers regarding nutritional education, with particular emphasis on the availability of educational materials and expectations towards event organizers. The methodology was grounded in a qualitative approach, employing detailed individual interviews (IDIs) with seventeen volunteers (n = 17) who were actively involved in various sporting events, including races, triathlons, and athletic competitions at local, national, and international levels. This sample size was justified as it was sufficient to achieve data saturation, meaning no new significant themes emerged after these interviews. The results indicate that most participants feel a lack of access to reliable information about nutrition, with 70% (n = 12) indicating a need for educational materials, which limits their ability to make informed dietary decisions. Volunteers expect event organizers to provide educational materials and prefer a variety of practical forms of education, such as interactive workshops and accessible online resources. While the volunteers expressed a desire for improved nutritional education, further investigation is needed to establish a direct link between this education and potential enhancements in their performance and well-being. For this reason, greater attention should be paid to the nutritional education of volunteers, which is a key element of their preparation to work in high-stress and physically intense conditions.
本研究旨在分析体育志愿者在营养教育方面的需求和偏好，特别关注教育材料的可用性以及对赛事组织者的期望。研究方法基于定性方法，对 17 名志愿者（n=17）进行了详细的个人访谈（IDIs），这些志愿者积极参与各种体育赛事，包括比赛、三项全能和地方、国家和国际级别的竞技比赛。这个样本量是合理的，因为它足以达到数据饱和，即这些访谈之后没有出现新的重要主题。研究结果表明，大多数参与者表示无法获得可靠的营养信息，其中 70%（n=12）表示需要教育材料，这限制了他们做出明智饮食决策的能力。志愿者期望赛事组织者提供教育材料，并喜欢各种实用的教育形式，如互动研讨会和可访问的在线资源。虽然志愿者表达了对营养教育的改善的渴望，但需要进一步研究以确定这种教育与他们的表现和健康状况的潜在改善之间的直接联系。出于这个原因，应该更加关注志愿者的营养教育，这是他们在高压力和高强度身体条件下工作准备的关键要素。
