Measuring the sports nutrition knowledge of elite Australian athletes using the Platform to Evaluate Athlete Knowledge of Sports Nutrition Questionnaire

Evaluation of an Environmental Nutrition Intervention at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

There has been an increasing expectation that the food provided for athletes at major competition events meets the specific dietary and performance needs of athletes. The aim of this study was to map the range of food service nutrition schemes that were implemented prior to and during a major competition event (2018 Commonwealth Games) and evaluate these schemes through staff training satisfaction, athlete feedback, and quality assurance checks. This study followed a case study design with nutrition schemes as follows: informing (nutrition labelling), enabling (staff training, nutrition service), and engineering (modification to menus and recipes). Overall, participants reported that they easily found items on the menu that met their nutritional/dietary needs. When asked how useful the schemes were in helping them to identify items that meet their needs, the majority of participants found the nutrition cards (n = 227, 71%) and serving staff (n = 212, 66%) 'useful/very useful'. 'Good/very good' ratings were received by >90% of respondents for speed of service, staff politeness, and knowledge of the menu. Participants (n = 316) who rated the nutrition staff as 'useful/very useful' gave a higher median rating for the menu. Past events have focused on the impact of a single component in the food environment; however, taking a whole systems approach resulted in more suitable food provision to meet the dietary needs of athletes.

Products for Sportspeople Containing Constituents Derived from the Common Bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)-A Narrative Literature Review

The third-largest land plant family, Fabaceae (Papilionaceae), includes trees, shrubs, and perennial or annual herbaceous plants containing both numerous beneficial constituents (e.g., proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fibre) and antinutrients (e.g., saponins, tannins, phytic acid, gossypol, lectins). The consumption of leguminous plants allows sports people to complete their requirements for nourishment but, on the other hand, it contributes to digestive system ailments. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to review the experimental articles and patents referring to the application of common (kidney) bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)-based nutritional products for athletes. The survey of the literature was carried out according to PRISMA statements by browsing Scopus, PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases, as well as Google Scholar, Google Patents and Espacenet Patent Search engines using factorial combinations of the following keywords: ('common bean' or 'kidney bean' or 'Phaseolus vulgaris') and ('athlete' or 'sport') and ('food' or 'nutrition' or 'diet'). Altogether, 84 patents issued in the years 1995-2023 were noted. The majority of patents were developed by research teams consisting of at least four authors representing scientists affiliated in the United States of America and China. The patents refer to the production of food ingredients, nutritional products, and compositions: (i) for relieving fatigue, enhancing endurance, and increasing muscle mass and strength, (ii) for maintaining physical and mental health, and (iii) for controlling body weight. Moreover, the analysis of 19 original articles indicated the substantial acceptability of meals containing the common bean. To summarize, the performed investigations demonstrate the considerable use of Phaseolus vulgaris in sport nutrition and the growing acceptance of this trend.

Athlete Preferences for Nutrition Education: Development of and Findings from a Quantitative Survey

Nutrition education (NE) is one of several strategies aimed at enhancing the dietary intake of athletes. This study investigated NE preferences of New Zealand and Australian athletes competing nationally and internationally. Athletes (n = 124, 22 (18, 27) years, female 54.8%) from 22 sports completed an online survey, with responses analysed using descriptive statistics. Teaching techniques considered 'extremely effective' were life examples (47.6% of athletes), hands-on activities (30.6%), and discussions with a facilitator (30.6%). Setting personal nutrition goals was important to most athletes (83.9%), along with two-way feedback with a facilitator (75.0%). General nutrition topics considered 'essential' were energy requirements (52.9%), hydration (52.9%), and nutrient deficiencies (43.3%). Performance topics considered 'essential' were recovery (58.1%), pre-exercise nutrition (51.6%), nutrition during exercise (50.0%), and energy requirements for training (49.2%). Athletes preferred a 'combination of in-person group and one-on-one sessions' (25% of athletes), 'one-on one sessions' (19.2%) and 'in-person group sessions' (18.3%), with only 13.3% interested in 'exclusively online delivery'. Sessions of 31-60 min (61.3% of athletes) held monthly (37.5%) and undertaken with athletes of the same sporting calibre (61.3%) were favoured by the participants. The preferred facilitator was a performance dietitian or nutritionist (82.1% of athletes), who had knowledge of the sport (85.5%), experience in sports nutrition (76.6%), and credibility (73.4%). This research provides novel insights into the factors that need to be considered when designing and implementing nutrition education for athletes.

Validation of a sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire for athletes in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Sound general and sports nutrition knowledge in athletes is essential for making appropriate dietary choices. Assessment of nutrition knowledge enables evaluation and tailoring of nutrition education. However, few well-validated tools are available to assess nutrition knowledge in athletes. The objective of the present study was to establish the validity of the Platform to Evaluate Athlete Knowledge Sports - Nutrition Questionnaire (PEAKS-NQ) for use in the United Kingdom and Irish (UK-I) athletes. To confirm content validity, twenty-three sports nutritionists (SNs) from elite, UK-I sports institutes provided feedback on the PEAKS-NQ via a modified Delphi method. After minor changes, the UK-I version of the PEAKS-NQ was administered to UK-I SN from the British Dietetic Association Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register, and elite athletes (EA) training at elite sports institutes in the UK and Ireland. Independent samples t-test and independent samples median tests were used to compare PEAKS-NQ total and subsection scores between EA and SN (to assess construct validity). Cronbach's alpha (good ≥ 0⋅7) was used to establish internal consistency. The SN achieved greater overall [SN (n 23) 92⋅3 (9⋅3) v. EA (n 154): 71⋅4 (10⋅0)%; P < 0⋅001] and individual section scores (P < 0⋅001) except Section B, Identification of Food Groups (P = 0⋅07). Largest knowledge differences between SN and EA were in Section D, Applied Sports Nutrition [SN: 88⋅5 (8⋅9) v. EA: 56⋅7 (14⋅5)%; P < 0⋅00]. Overall ES was large (2⋅1), with subsections ranging from 0⋅6 to 2⋅3. Cronbach's alpha was good (0⋅83). The PEAKS-NQ had good content and construct validity, supporting its use to assess nutrition knowledge of UK-I athletes.

Athlete experiences of communication strategies in applied sports nutrition and future considerations for mobile app supportive solutions

Aim

This study aimed to explore athletes' experiences and opinions of communication strategies in applied sports nutrition, as well as capture suggestions for future mobile app supportive solutions.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used for this research. Data was generated from semi-structured focus groups (n = 9) with a purposive sample of 41 (male = 24, female = 17) full time professional athletes (mean age 24 ± 4.59) from five sports (football, rugby union, athletics, cycling, and boxing). Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The analysis identified four higher order themes and five sub themes. Athletes appear dissatisfied with the levels of personalization in the nutrition support they receive. Limited practitioner contact time was suggested as a contributing factor to this problem. Athletes acknowledged the usefulness of online remote nutrition support and reported a desire for more personalized technology that can tailor support to their individual needs.

Conclusion

Athletes experienced a hybrid human-computer approach that combines in-person and remote digital methods to communicate with and receive information from practitioners. Mobile technology may now afford sports nutritionists with new opportunities to develop scalable solutions to support practice.

Recent Developments in the Assessment of Nutrition Knowledge in Athletes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adequate nutrition knowledge may influence dietary behaviour, and the performance and health of athletes. Assessment of the nutrition knowledge of athletes can inform practice and provide a quantitative way to evaluate education interventions. This article aims to review nutrition knowledge questionnaires published in the last 5 years to identify advances, possible improvements in questionnaire development and design, and challenges that remain.

RECENT FINDINGS

Twelve new or modified questionnaires were identified. All had undergone validity and reliability testing. Advancements included quantitative measures of content validity and Rasch analysis. Online questionnaires were common, with at least seven using this format. Advances included use of images (n = 2), automated scored feedback (n = 1), and use of applied questions. While advancements have been made in validation and reliability testing and electronic delivery, new questionnaires would benefit from interactive and attractive features including images, provision of electronic feedback, and applied questions.

Olympic Cycle Comparison of the Nutritional and Cardiovascular Health Status of an Elite-Level Female Swimmer: Case Study Report from Slovenia

Monitoring the many aspects that are crucial to an athlete’s performance progress is vital for further training planning and for the development of performance and the sport. We evaluated a four-year change (2018 vs. 2022) in the current nutritional and cardiovascular health status of the most successful elite-level female swimmer in Slovenia. Body composition and dietary intake were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and a standardized food questionnaire. The concentration of blood lipids, blood pressure, and serum micronutrients (B₁₂, 25(OH)D), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron) were measured. The four-year comparison showed an improved body composition status (i.e., increased body mass and decreased body fat (percentage and mass), increased lean soft tissue and total bone mineral density (BMD) (i.e., significantly decreased BMD of a left femoral neck and increased BMD of a spine and head)). We also measured an improvement in the cardiovascular health status of some markers (i.e., decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure but increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), most likely due to the differences in assessed dietary intake (i.e., lower carbohydrate intake, higher total and saturated fat intake, and lower sodium intake). Notably, nutrient intakes that are generally of concern (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin B₁₂ and D, calcium, iron, and zinc (except for fiber intake)) were all within recommended ranges. However, the athlete’s vitamin K and potassium intake were not adequate. Furthermore, in 2018, the athlete did not consume dietary supplements, while she now regularly uses several dietary supplements, including EPA and DHA omega-3, vitamin D, multivitamins, carbohydrate powder, and sports drink. Moreover, from the micronutrient serum, only iron levels deviated from the reference values (37 μmol/L vs. 10.7–28.6 μmol/L). The presented screening example using valid, sensitive, and affordable methods and with rapid organizational implementation may be a viable format for regular monitoring.