Nutrition knowledge, supplementation practices and access to nutrition supports of collegiate student athletes in Ireland.

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive assessment of nutrition knowledge, supplementation practices and access to nutrition supports in third-level/university student athletes in Ireland.

METHODS

Nutrition knowledge was assessed using the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ), with additional questions on nutrition information sources, access to nutritional supports and supplement use.

RESULTS

138 student athletes completed the online questionnaire. Participants had a mean (± SD) Total Nutrition Knowledge (TNK) score of 51.6 ± 13.7%, classed as "average". Scores were higher in the General Nutrition Knowledge (GNK) (61.4 ± 15.4%) sub-section, while Sports Nutrition Knowledge (SNK) scores (47.2 ± 15.5%) were considered "poor". Athletes that studied nutrition/dietetics at university level had higher GNK (69.9 ± 12.3% vs. 60.3 ± 15.5%), SNK (61.5 ± 13.7% vs. 45.3 ± 14.8%) and TNK (64.1 ± 11.8% vs. 50.0 ± 13.1%) scores than other students (all p < 0.05). Athletes with prior nutrition education/training also had significantly better TNK, GNK and SNK scores than those with no previous education/training (p < 0.001). Dietary supplements were used by 62.4% of participants, 64.0% of whom used 3 or more supplements. The most popular supplements were protein (77.9%), vitamin D (47.7%) and multivitamins (47.7%). Only 49.3% of participants had previous access to nutrition supports, but 80.4% of participants wanted more support.

CONCLUSIONS

Student athletes demonstrated inadequate levels of nutrition knowledge, particularly in the areas of sports nutrition, coupled with a high prevalence of nutritional supplement use. Athletes with higher education levels and prior nutrition education/training demonstrated greater nutrition knowledge, although a high desire for more nutrition supports was reported by the athletes in this cohort.