Figure 1 Projected Use of Registered Dietitian by Collegiate Athletes
Figure 1 Projected Use of Registered Dietitian by Collegiate Athletes
Figure 2Comparison of Perceived and Actual Nutrition Knowledge in Collegiate Athletes
(a) Perceived Nutrition Knowledge value as indicated by participant on survey instrument (1 = Not knowledgeable at all, 10 = Very knowledgeable, and * = unanswered).
(b) Actual Nutrition Knowledge value is shown as the mean percentage of nutrition knowledge questions answered correctly on survey instrument.
Sport |
Nutrition Knowledge Score |
Basketball (M) (n = 14) |
6.6 ± 2.0b |
Basketball (W) (n = 15) |
8.7 ± 1.8a |
Football (M) (n = 84) |
7.5 ± 2.1b |
Baseball (M) (n = 25) |
7.9 ± 1.9ab |
Ice Hockey (M) (n = 25) |
9.1 ± 1.6ab |
Gymnastics (W) (n = 13) |
9.9 ± 1.4a |
Volleyball (W) (n = 11) |
8.1 ± 2.1ab |
Golf (M) (n = 8) |
7.6 ± 2.1ab |
Golf (W) (n = 7) |
9.1 ± 1.9a |
Soccer (M) (n = 17) |
7.9 ± 1.6ab |
Soccer (W) (n = 29) |
8.7 ± 1.2a |
Cross Country (M) (n =11) |
9.2 ± 1.9a |
CC/Track & Field (W) (n = 26) |
9.2 ± 1.8a |
Softball (W) (n = 11) |
7.6 ± 2.0ab |
Swimming (W) (n = 16) |
8.4 ± 1.9ab |
Tennis (W) (n = 7) |
9.4 ± 1.4ab |
Table 1: Average total nutrition knowledge score of student-athletes per sport(mean ± SD)*
*Maximum score = 14
**Means with different superscripts are significantly different at p < 0.05.
***M = men’s sport, W = women’s sport
Topic of Interest |
Male (n = 184) |
Female (n = 135) |
Sports Drinks |
3.9 ± 1.1 |
3.5 ± 1.2 |
Energy Drinks |
2.8 ± 1.4 |
2.6 ± 1.5 |
Protein Supplements |
3.7 ± 1.4 |
2.8 ± 1.4 |
Pre-Post Workout Meals |
4.2 ± 0.9 |
4.3 ± 1.0 |
Energy Requirements |
3.8 ± 1.0 |
4.0 ± 1.0 |
General Nutrition |
3.7 ± 1.0 |
4.2 ± 0.9 |
Cheap, Healthy Meals |
3.7 ± 1.1 |
4.3 ± 1.0 |
Healthier Fast Food Alternatives |
3.7 ± 1.2 |
3.9 ± 1.3 |
Muscle Building |
4.3 ± 0.9 |
3.6 ± 1.2 |
Safe, Healthy Weight Loss |
3.1 ± 1.5 |
4.1 ± 1.3 |
Table 2: Nutrition topics of interest to student-athletes per gender (mean ± SD)*
*1 = low interest, 5 = high interest
| Topic of Interest | Sports Drinks | Energy Drinks | Protein Suppl. | Pre-Post Meal | Energy Req. | Gen. Nutr. | Cheap/Healthy Meal | Fast Food Alt. | Muscle Build. | Safe Wt. Loss | |
| Golf (M)(n = 8) | 3.6 ± 0.9 | 2.8 ± 0.7 | 3.4 ± 1.2 | 4.3 ± 0.7 | 3.6 ± 0.9 | 3.8 ± 1.0 | 3.9 ± 1.1 | 3.5 ± 1.3 | 4.0 ± 0.9 | 3.6 ± 1.4 | |
| Golf (W)(n = 7) | 3.4 ± 1.0 | 2.4 ± 1.3 | 2.7 ± 1.7 | 4.7 ± 0.5 | 3.7 ± 1.0 | 4.7 ± 0.5 | 4.6 ± 0.8 | 4.3 ± 1.1 | 3.9 ± 0.7 | 4.6 ± 1.1 | |
| Soccer (M)(n = 17) | 3.9 ± 1.1 | 3.2 ± 1.5 | 3.8 ± 1.3 | 4.2 ± 0.8 | 4.2 ± 0.9 | 4.2 ± 0.7 | 3.9 ± 1.3 | 3.5 ± 1.6 | 4.4 ± 0.9 | 3.7 ± 1.3 | |
| Soccer (W)(n = 29) | 3.9 ± 1.0 | 2.9 ± 1.4 | 2.5 ± 1.5 | 3.9 ± 1.0 | 3.9 ± 0.8 | 4.1 ± 0.8 | 4.4 ± 0.9 | 4.0 ± 1.2 | 3.2 ± 1.2 | 4.2 ± 1.1 | |
| Cross Country (M)(n = 11) | 4.1 ± 0.8 | 2.3 ± 1.6 | 3.1 ± 1.8 | 4.3 ± 0.9 | 4.2 ± 0.9 | 3.6 ± 1.2 | 4.1 ± 0.7 | 3.7 ± 1.4 | 4.4 ± 0.9 | 2.5 ± 1.6 | |
| CC/Track & Field (W)(n = 26) | 4.0 ± 0.9 | 2.9 ± 1.6 | 3.1 ± 1.5 | 4.6 ± 0.7 | 4.2 ± 1.0 | 4.5 ± 0.8 | 4.5 ± 1.0 | 3.7 ± 1.3 | 3.9 ± 1.3 | 3.5 ± 1.7 | |
| Softball (W)(n = 11) | 2.9 ± 1.3 | 2.1 ± 1.5 | 2.4 ± 1.4 | 3.7 ± 1.0 | 3.4 ± 1.3 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | 3.8 ± 1.3 | 3.1 ± 1.5 | 3.5 ± 1.7 | 4.4 ± 1.3 | |
| Swimming (W)(n = 16) | 3.4 ± 1.9 | 2.6 ± 1.4 | 3.2 ± 1.1 | 4.6 ± 0.6 | 3.9 ± 1.2 | 4.1 ± 0.9 | 4.1 ± 1.1 | 3.1 ± 1.4 | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 3.6 ± 1.3 | |
| Tennis (W)(n = 7) | 3.3 ± 1.4 | 2.6 ± 1.5 | 2.4 ± 1.0 | 4.7 ± 0.5 | 4.6 ± 0.5 | 4.7 ± 0.5 | 4.4 ± 0.5 | 5.0 ± 0.0 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | 4.3 ± 1.0 | |
| Basketball (M)(n = 14) | 3.1 ± 1.0 | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 2.9 ± 1.2 | 3.4 ± 0.7 | 3.3 ± 0.7 | 3.3 ± 0.9 | 3.4 ± 1.1 | 3.7 ± 1.2 | 3.9 ± 1.0 | 2.9 ± 1.2 | |
| Basketball (W)(n = 15) | 3.4 ± 1.1 | 2.4 ± 1.4 | 2.3 ± 1.4 | 4.2 ± 1.2 | 3.7 ± 0.9 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | 4.4 ± 0.6 | 4.1 ± 0.9 | 3.5 ± 1.4 | 4.4 ± 0.9 | |
| Football (M)(n = 84) | 4.1 ± 1.1 | 2.9 ± 1.3 | 3.7 ± 1.4 | 4.3 ± 0.9 | 3.9 ± 1.0 | 3.8 ± 1.0 | 3.7 ± 1.2 | 3.8 ± 1.1 | 4.4 ± 0.9 | 3.2 ± 1.5 | |
| Baseball (M)(n = 25) | 4.0 ± 1.1 | 3.0 ± 1.4 | 4.1 ± 1.1 | 4.4 ± 0.8 | 3.8 ± 1.0 | 3.7 ± 0.9 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | 3.7 ± 1.2 | 4.5 ± 0.8 | 3.2 ± 1.5 | |
| Ice Hockey (M)(n = 25) | 3.4 ± 1.2 | 2.1 ± 1.2 | 3.5 ± 1.2 | 4.1 ± 0.8 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3.4 ± 0.9 | 3.5 ± 1.0 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 4.1 ± 0.7 | 2.5 ± 1.3 | |
| Gymnastics (W)(n = 13) | 2.9 ± 1.5 | 2.5 ± 1.7 | 2.6 ± 1.6 | 4.2 ± 1.0 | 4.2 ± 0.9 | 4.4 ± 0.8 | 4.2 ± 0.9 | 3.9 ± 1.2 | 3.9 ± 1.0 | 4.7 ± 0.5 | |
| Volleyball (W)(n = 11) | 3.0 ± 1.3 | 2.0 ± 1.4 | 3.4 ± 1.0 | 4.4 ± 1.3 | 3.9 ± 1.5 | 4.3 ± 0.9 | 4.0 ± 1.2 | 4.3 ± 0.8 | 4.2 ± 0.9 | 4.1 ± 1.3 |
Table 3: Nutrition topics of interest to student-athletes per sport (mean ± SD)*
*1 = lowest interest, 5 = highest interest
**M = men’s sport, W = women’s sport
Education Preferences |
Male (n = 184) |
Female (n = 135) |
Group Sessions |
2.9 ± 1.3 |
3.2 ± 1.3 |
Individual Counseling |
3.1 ± 1.4 |
3.2 ± 1.4 |
Newsletters |
2.5 ± 1.3 |
3.1 ± 1.3 |
Independent Study Modules |
2.5 ± 1.2 |
2.4 ± 1.2 |
Computer Training |
2.5 ± 1.3 |
2.4 ± 1.2 |
Conferences |
2.5 ± 1.1 |
2.5 ± 1.2 |
Academic Courses |
2.8 ± 1.2 |
3.1 ± 1.3 |
Nutrition Graduate Student |
2.9 ± 1.2 |
3.1 ± 1.2 |
Table 4:Nutrition education preferences of student-athletes per gender (mean ± SD)*
*1 = low interest, 5 = high interest
| Education Preference | Group Sessions | Ind. Counseling | Newsletters | Study Modules | Comp. Training | Conferences | Academic Courses | Nutr. Grad. Student | |
| Basketball (M)(n = 14) | 2.9 ± 1.1 | 3.2 ± 1.4 | 3.2 ± 1.1 | 3.1 ± 1.2 | 2.8 ± 1.4 | 2.8 ± 1.3 | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 3.4 ± 1.2 | |
| Basketball (W)(n = 15) | 3.2 ± 1.2 | 3.1 ± 1.3 | 2.5 ± 1.1 | 2.0 ± 1.0 | 2.1 ± 1.1 | 2.3 ± 1.2 | 2.6 ± 1.2 | 3.3 ± 1.0 | |
| Football (M)(n = 84) | 2.8 ± 1.4 | 3.4 ± 1.4 | 2.3 ± 1.2 | 2.4 ± 1.2 | 2.5 ± 1.3 | 2.5 ± 1.1 | 2.7 ± 1.3 | 2.7 ± 1.3 | |
| Baseball (M)(n = 25) | 3.0 ± 1.4 | 3.0 ± 1.2 | 3.0 ± 1.3 | 2.9 ± 1.1 | 3.1 ± 1.2 | 3.0 ± 1.1 | 3.4 ± 1.0 | 3.4 ± 1.1 | |
| Ice Hockey (M)(n = 25) | 2.6 ± 1.1 | 2.5 ± 1.1 | 1.9 ± 1.1 | 1.9 ± 0.9 | 2.0 ± 1.1 | 2.0 ± 0.9 | 2.7 ± 0.9 | 2.3 ± 1.1 | |
| Gymnastics (W)(n = 13) | 3.0 ± 1.6 | 3.0 ± 1.5 | 3.3 ± 1.2 | 2.7 ± 1.1 | 2.5 ± 1.3 | 2.6 ± 0.8 | 2.9 ± 1.4 | 3.6 ± 1.2 | |
| Volleyball (W)(n = 11) | 3.6 ± 1.2 | 3.5 ± 1.7 | 3.3 ± 1.4 | 2.7 ± 1.3 | 2.2 ± 1.0 | 2.6 ± 1.5 | 3.1 ± 1.7 | 3.7 ± 1.4 | |
| Golf (M)(n = 8) | 2.6 ± 1.4 | 2.6 ± 1.6 | 2.6 ± 1.4 | 2.3 ± 1.3 | 2.3 ± 1.0 | 2.4 ± 1.2 | 2.4 ± 1.3 | 3.4 ± 0.7 | |
| Golf (W)(n = 7) | 3.3 ± 1.4 | 3.7 ± 1.1 | 3.0 ± 1.2 | 2.0 ± 0.8 | 2.3 ± 0.8 | 2.4 ± 1.0 | 3.3 ± 1.0 | 3.6 ± 1.4 | |
| Soccer (M)(n = 17) | 3.2 ± 1.4 | 3.3 ± 1.2 | 2.5 ± 1.2 | 2.3 ± 0.9 | 2.4 ± 1.2 | 2.6 ± 1.1 | 2.8 ± 1.1 | 2.6 ± 1.2 | |
| Soccer (W)(n = 29) | 2.5 ± 1.4 | 2.7 ± 1.5 | 2.8 ± 1.2 | 2.0 ± 1.2 | 2.0 ± 1.2 | 2.0 ± 1.2 | 3.2 ± 1.4 | 2.6 ± 1.2 | |
| Cross Country (M)(n = 11) | 3.1 ± 1.6 | 2.3 ± 1.6 | 2.6 ± 1.4 | 2.6 ± 1.4 | 2.8 ± 1.4 | 2.7 ± 1.5 | 2.7 ± 1.6 | 3.1 ± 1.4 | |
| CC/Track & Field (W)(n = 26) | 3.5 ± 1.4 | 3.6 ± 1.5 | 3.3 ± 1.6 | 2.4 ± 1.5 | 2.6 ± 1.3 | 2.6 ± 1.3 | 3.5 ± 1.3 | 3.0 ± 1.4 | |
| Softball (W)(n = 11) | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 2.3 ± 1.1 | 2.8 ± 1.7 | 2.2 ± 0.8 | 2.2 ± 1.1 | 2.6 ± 1.5 | 2.9 ± 1.5 | 2.6 ± 1.2 | |
| Swimming (W)(n = 16) | 3.4 ± 1.2 | 3.7 ± 1.0 | 3.4 ± 0.9 | 3.0 ± 1.0 | 2.8 ± 1.1 | 2.8 ± 0.8 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3.2 ± 0.8 | |
| Tennis (W)(n = 7) | 3.4 ± 1.0 | 2.9 ± 1.1 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3.0 ± 0.8 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3.0 ± 0.6 | 3.3 ± 1.4 | 3.3 ± 0.8 |
Table 5: Nutrition education preferences to student-athletes per sport (mean ± SD)*
*1 = lowest interest, 5 = highest interest
**M = men’s sport, W = women’s sport