Effect of Nutrition Education on Sports Nutrition Knowledge among Women Athletes

Abstract

Lack of nutritional knowledge and dietary behavior may hinder health status and athletic performance. Research indicates that general nutritional knowledge is vital to lead a healthy life and to improve the achievements in sports field. The study compared the effects of six months nutrition education intervention on the sports nutrition knowledge of women athletes. Ninety physical education students, 18-22 years of age were randomly selected. Nutrition education was imparted for 30 minutes each week for six months through power point presentation, poster and formal classes. The initial nutrition knowledge was assessed using a pretested questionnaire which included 40 questions to assess nutrition knowledge, sports nutrition, macro and micro nutrients and hydration. The average nutrition knowledge before giving nutrition education was 55% which increased to 75% after intervention. These students lacked basic nutrition awareness. After imparting nutrition education, their knowledge increased significantly (t<37.858). This study suggests that nutrition education intervention positively influences the nutrition knowledge of the athletes’ improvement in nutrition knowledge of the women athletes could improve their interest in nutrition and provide insights into good eating practices and information to the right food choices and thus improve the sports performance. The nutrition education thus contributes most effectively to better understanding of nutritional concepts and could improve health and nutritional status.