Exploring General and Sports Nutrition and Food Knowledge in Elite Male Australian Athletes

• DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0259
• Publication Date: 2014-11-10T21:40:06Z
• Authors: Brooke L. Devlin; Regina Belski
• Keywords: Sports nutrition; Elite; Elite Athletes

Nutrition knowledge is believed to influence nutritional intake, which in turn influences performance elite athletes. There currently no published data on the nutrition of Australian Football (AF) players. The purpose this study was gain insight into current level general and sports male AF Forty six players (23.5 ± 2.8 years) answered 123 questions relating five areas knowledge: dietary recommendations, sources nutrients, choosing everyday foods, alcohol nutrition. Demographic details perceptions were collected for all participants. mean score 74.4 10.9 (60.5%). highest obtained section (17.9 3.0, 61.7%). dietitian selected as first source information by 98% athletes, with club trainer teammates second choice 45.7% 23.9% respectively. majority athletes correctly regarding recommendations increase fruit vegetable intake decrease fat (95.6%, 91.1% 93.3% correct respectively). While 80% aware should predominately be made up unsaturated fat, they less able identify food fats (35.6% 24.4% statements monounsaturated polyunsaturated fats, Broad messages appear well understood; however, gaps are evident. A better understanding will allow education interventions target need improvement.