Identifying Nutrition Knowledge Gaps and Intervention Methods Among Collegiate Athletes
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
sports nutrition, nutrition knowledge, collegiate athletes, nutrition education, education methods
Department
Nutritional Science
Major
Nutritional Science
Abstract
Collegiate athletes endure extreme physical, mental, and emotional demands where nutrition is critical not only for performance, but also long-term health. Previous research indicates that many athletes lack sports nutrition knowledge, which may lead to fatigue and injury, therefore identifying knowledge gaps is critical for designing effective education within athletic programs.
This study aimed to identify nutrition knowledge gaps in collegiate athletes and form an intervention to better support the athletic program. A total of 26 athletes (9 male and 17 female) completed the initial online Qualtrics survey addressing baseline nutrition knowledge. A pre-post intervention design was then implemented, with a total of 62 participants randomized into either an in-person intervention group (n=45) or a video module group (n=17). Participants completed the survey before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to assess changes in nutrition knowledge. Results indicated significant improvements in overall nutrition knowledge post-intervention. While both educational groups were effective, participants in the online video module group showed slightly greater improvements in nutrition knowledge scores compared to those in the in-person education group. Future research should explore long-term retention of knowledge and include larger sample groups, exploring additional intervention methods. These findings suggest that both in-person and online education can effectively improve sports nutrition knowledge among collegiate athletes, with online delivery showing potential for greater accessibility.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Delano
Location
Black Family Plaza Classroom 191
Start Date
10-4-2026 3:45 PM
End Date
10-4-2026 4:15 PM
Identifying Nutrition Knowledge Gaps and Intervention Methods Among Collegiate Athletes
Black Family Plaza Classroom 191
Collegiate athletes endure extreme physical, mental, and emotional demands where nutrition is critical not only for performance, but also long-term health. Previous research indicates that many athletes lack sports nutrition knowledge, which may lead to fatigue and injury, therefore identifying knowledge gaps is critical for designing effective education within athletic programs.
This study aimed to identify nutrition knowledge gaps in collegiate athletes and form an intervention to better support the athletic program. A total of 26 athletes (9 male and 17 female) completed the initial online Qualtrics survey addressing baseline nutrition knowledge. A pre-post intervention design was then implemented, with a total of 62 participants randomized into either an in-person intervention group (n=45) or a video module group (n=17). Participants completed the survey before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to assess changes in nutrition knowledge. Results indicated significant improvements in overall nutrition knowledge post-intervention. While both educational groups were effective, participants in the online video module group showed slightly greater improvements in nutrition knowledge scores compared to those in the in-person education group. Future research should explore long-term retention of knowledge and include larger sample groups, exploring additional intervention methods. These findings suggest that both in-person and online education can effectively improve sports nutrition knowledge among collegiate athletes, with online delivery showing potential for greater accessibility.