Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6664
Title: Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region
Authors: Joshua Musau
Oluyemisi F Folasire
Nonhlanhla S Mkumbuzi
Sports Management and Policy Development Program, The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health and Agriculture– PAULESI), 200132 Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, 200284 Ibadan, Nigeria
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, 200285 Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Family Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH), 200285 Ibadan, Nigeria
Department of Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa; Department of Rehabilitation, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe; NtombiSports (PTY) Ltd, Cape Town, South Africa
Keywords: Athlete
Nutrition
Sports
Knowledge
Endurance
African athletes
Issue Date: 2025
Publisher: BioMed Central
Abstract: Background Athletes’ nutrition knowledge depends on the sources of nutrition information they are exposed to and their social status. Currently, there is a dearth of literature on the nutrition knowledge of Ugandan athletes. This study assessed endurance athletes’ sports nutrition knowledge, sources of nutrition information, and their dietary consumption patterns. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study including 100 purposively selected (middle and long distance) athletes from four Athletic Management camps was conducted in Kapchorwa district, Uganda. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, trained research assistants collected athletes’ demographic information, knowledge, practices, sources of nutrition information and consumption patterns. ANOVA, Independent t-test, Chi-square analysis, and Binary logistic analyses were done using SPSS® software version 23.0. Results Most athletes n = 74 (74.0%) in this study were aged between 15 and 17 years with at least 2 years’ experience in athletics. Majority n = 68 (68.0%) of the athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge while n = 32 (32.0%) showed poor knowledge. About n = 88 (88.0%) knew that vitamin consumption can enhance recovery after training. Athletic trainers n = 49 (49.0%) and family/parents n = 28 (28.0%) were primary sources of nutrition information, while nutritionists/dietitians n = 5 (5.0%) and the internet n = 4 (4.0%) were less consulted. Cereals were the most consumed food group n = 72 (72.0%), followed by legumes and nuts n = 67 (67.0%) while the least consumed foods were milk/egg n = 33 (33.0%)), fish n = 25 (25.0%) and meat/poultry n = 13 (13.0%). Good sports nutrition knowledge was associated with adequate dietary practices (p = 0.009). Sports nutrition knowledge differed significantly with age group (F = 4.566, p = 0.013), and between female and male (F = 21.884, p < 0.000) athletes. Age group was a significant predictor (β = 1.925, Ex(β) = 6.853, C. I = 0.882–36.096, p = 0.023) of sports nutrition knowledge. Conclusions In this study endurance athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge, and relied primarily on their coaches/trainers for sports nutrition information. It is recommended that athletic trainers be offered supplementary training in sports nutrition to ensure proper nutrition knowledge dissemination among athletes.
URI: https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6664
Appears in Collections:Research Papers

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