Why Athletes Need Nutrition Education
It should come as no surprise that nutrition education from a qualified professional provides significant benefits for athletes.
Learn why ACES Nation combines nutrition education with all athletic performance training programs.
Nutrition Education from a Sports Dietitian Provides Significant Benefits for Division 1 Collegiate Athletes
Sports Dietitians are an integral part of a sports performance team. They provide up-to-date, evidence-based nutrition education and practical nutrition interventions to holistically help athletes to optimize both their health and performance.
Research shows that athletes who work with sports dietitians not only increase their nutrition knowledge but make lasting, positive behavioral changes as it relates to dietary choices. In turn, these choices improve performance and recovery.
Availability of a Sports Dietitian Improves Performance and Recovery in Collegiate Baseball Players
A 2017 study surveyed the dietary habits and nutrient timing practices of baseball student-athletes from three NCAA Division 1 universities.
Two of the institutions had a sports dietitian and one did not. The aim of the survey was to compare the nutritional practices of baseball student-athletes who got most of their nutritional information from sports dietitians versus a strength and conditioning coach.
The athletes who had access to a sports dietitian found it easier to eat before exercise, consumed less fast food, prepared their own meals more often, and took a daily multivitamin. Additionally, these athletes ate breakfast before training/lifting sessions more often compared to the athletes without access to a sports dietitian. The athletes who did not have access to a sports dietitian and got most of their nutritional advice from a strength and conditioning coach ate more fast food before competition and reported that most of their coaches were less aware of healthy food options.
The findings of this survey show that a sports dietitian is a valuable asset to athletes. Not only did it find that athletes who had access to a sports dietitian consumed more nutrient-dense foods, they better understood nutrient timing and employed nutrient timing fueling strategies.
The knowledge a sports dietitian possesses, and the evidence-based strategies they provide can lead to improved performance and recovery.
Nutrition Education from a Registered Dietitian Improves Dietary Intake and Nutrition Knowledge of an NCAA Volleyball Team
11 female Division 1 NCAA volleyball players were evaluated for adequate energy and macronutrient intake across 2 offseasons. Dietary intervention conducted by a sports dietitian was employed during the second off-season regarding individual dietary needs in addition to a pre- and post-intervention nutrition knowledge survey.
Significant, positive changes were seen post-dietary intervention in total energy intake, carbohydrate intake and protein intake. Additionally, sports nutrition knowledge increased significantly. 66% of participants maintained these positive changes upon completion of the study.
The outcomes of dietary intervention indicate that dietary education from a sports dietitian is useful in improving dietary intake and nutrition knowledge in Division 1 female volleyball players.
Takeaway:
These studies provide positive data supporting the importance of sports dietitians to an athlete’s overall health and performance. In both studies, improving nutrition knowledge by working with a sports dietitian directly improved dietary habits. We know that by implementing sports nutrition strategies, athletes can improve their performance. These improvements can manifest as physical changes such as building muscle, becoming more powerful, or increasing speed, or mental changes such as improved concentration or faster reaction time. These data should be taken into account when athletes are assembling their sports performance team.
-Claire Igoe, MS RD LD
ACES Nation Sports Nutrition Specialist
Sources:
- DOI 10.1186/s12970-017-0187-6
- DOI 10.3390/nu4060506
