Nutrition knowledge (NK) has a positive significant relationship with dietary intake in athletes. Many studies have evaluated education tools or programs to improve nutrition knowledge in athletes. However, it is unclear if these tools/programs have developed education content based on established gaps in knowledge (1). Knowledge gaps within Australian university student-athletes at any level of competition have not been well explored previously (2). The aim of this study is to identify gaps in nutrition knowledge amongst university student-athletes.
Cross-sectional study in athletes, aged 18+ years, enrolled in tertiary education and competing in sport at any level. Online surveys were used to collect demographics and nutrition knowledge scores (ANSKQ). Descriptive statistics were used to explore mean total, general, and sport NK scores, across the total group. NK gaps were identified by the frequency of incorrect response for each question and via proportion of incorrect responses within the following categories: macronutrients, micronutrients, alcohol, fuel for competition, hydration, supplementation, and recovery. Percentage of incorrect responses were calculated within each category.
Ninety-one student-athletes completed the general NK questions; 83 also completed the sports NK questions. Overall median [IQR] scores were 51% [17.1] (total), 54 % [18.2] (general), and 50% [20.8] (sport). Of the 35 included NK questions, 16 had 40% or more incorrect responses (five in general NK out of 11 questions, 11 in sport NK out of 24 questions). For each category, the percentage of incorrect responses were as follows: 39% macronutrients, 71%micronutrients, 50% alcohol, 38% fuel for competition, 74% hydration, 37% supplementation, and 37% recovery.
These scores indicate the median NK level amongst student-athletes met the rating of average (50-64%, as categorised by the ANSKQ tool). These scores indicate that there are many topics that may be knowledge gaps for student-athletes. However, some topics have much higher numbers of items with incorrect responses. To improve the nutrition knowledge of this group of Australian university student-athletes, future nutrition education tools should focus on addressing knowledge gaps specific to this athlete group, including micronutrients, alcohol, and hydration.