The Impact of a ‘Remotely-Delivered’ Sports Nutrition Education Program on Dietary Intake and Nutrition Knowledge of Junior Elite Triathletes

Abstract

Triathlon is a physically demanding sport, requiring athletes to make informed decisions regarding their daily food and fluid intake to align with daily training. With an increase in uptake for online learning, remotely delivered education programs offer an opportunity to improve nutritional knowledge and subsequent dietary intake in athletes. This single-arm observational study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a remotely delivered nutrition education program on sports nutrition knowledge and the dietary intake of junior elite triathletes (n = 21; female n = 9; male n = 12; 18.9 ± 1.6 y). A total of 18 participants completed dietary intake assessments (4-day food diary via Easy Diet DiaryTM) and 14 participants completed an 83-question sports nutrition knowledge assessment (Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (SNKQ)) before and after the 8-week program. Sports nutrition knowledge scores improved by 15% (p < 0.001, ES = 0.9) following the program. Male participants reported higher energy intakes before (3348 kJ, 95% CI: 117–6579; p = 0.043) and after (3644 kJ, 95% CI: 451–6836; p = 0.028) the program compared to females. Carbohydrate intake at breakfast (p = 0.022), daily intakes of fruit (p = 0.033), dairy (p = 0.01) and calcium (p = 0.029) increased following nutrition education. Irrespective of gender, participants had higher intakes of energy (p < 0.001), carbohydrate (p = 0.001), protein (p = 0.007), and fat (p = 0.007) on heavy training days compared to lighter training days before and after the program with total nutrition knowledge scores negatively correlated with discretionary food intake (r = −0.695, p = 0.001). A remotely delivered nutrition education program by an accredited sports nutrition professional improved sports nutrition knowledge and subsequent dietary intake of junior elite triathletes, suggesting remote delivery of nutrition education may prove effective when social distancing requirements prevent face-to-face opportunities.

The effect of nutrition education sessions on energy availability, body composition, eating attitude and sports nutrition knowledge in young female endurance athletes

“…Our study employed a nutrition education intervention consisting of six physical sessions totaling 360 min, a strategy proven effective in similar studies with contact time ranging from 90 min ( 38 ) to 390–490 min ( 39 ) and the total number of sessions ranging from one ( 40 ) to ten ( 39 ). This approach resulted in a 7.2% improvement in SNK, which is consistent (8.3%) with a similar study conducted with adolescent swimmers ( 41 ). Previous studies investigating the effectiveness of nutrition education approaches have reported similar improvements in athlete nutrition scores, ranging from 6.4–25.2% ( 42 – 44 ).…”