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Australian team sports athletes prefer dietitians, the internet and nutritionists for sports nutrition information
Trakman, Gina L. Forsyth, Adrienne Hoye, Russell Belski, Regina
Trakman, Gina L.
Forsyth, Adrienne
Hoye, Russell
Belski, Regina
Abstract
Aim
To evaluate the information sources that are used and preferred by Australian athletes and to assess if preferences influence nutrition knowledge (NK).
Methods
Elite and non-elite Australian team sport athletes, playing Australian football (AF), cricket, lawn bowls, soccer or hockey, were recruited via the sporting organisations' qualified sports dietitians or club presidents. Athletes completed one of two online, validated sports NK questionnaires. Frequency analysis on previous sources of advice, preferred sources of information and preferred type of support were assessed. Differences in NK scores (%) based on previous sources of dietary advice and preferences for obtaining information were assessed using t test or Mann-Whitney U test.
Results
Demographic and information source questions were completed by 410 athletes; 331 also completed NK questions. Athletes were mostly non-elite (76%) and AF players (79%). Forty-four per cent of athletes reported having previously received advice from a dietitian. Twenty per cent, 19% and 16% of athletes chose “dietitian,” “internet” and “nutritionist” as their preferred source of nutrition information, respectively. Athletes preferred information on sports nutrition (35%), individual consultations (33%), and information on general healthy eating (33%), over cooking classes (4%) and group presentations (3%). There were no significant associations between preferred and previous information sources and NK scores.
Conclusions
Australian athletes prefer dietitians, the internet and nutritionists for sports nutrition information. There is an interest in and need for access to a qualified sports dietitian and reputable internet-based nutrition information. Education programs and advice given to athletes need to be evaluated.
Keywords
athlete, counselling, dietitian, education, information source, sports nutrition
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Book
Volume
76
Issue
4
Page Range
428-437
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Open
Controlled
Controlled