Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland
Background Adequate nutritional intake plays a pivotal role in optimizing performance, recovery, and body composition goals. This study aimed to investigate the dietary intakes (DIs); nutritional knowledge (NK); and attitudes, perceptions, and challenges (APC) of semiprofessional rugby players in Sc...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2036436 |
| _version_ | 1797678999059562496 |
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| author | Sonam Hitendre Rebecca Jordan Christos Theodorakopoulos Lois White |
| author_facet | Sonam Hitendre Rebecca Jordan Christos Theodorakopoulos Lois White |
| author_sort | Sonam Hitendre |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Adequate nutritional intake plays a pivotal role in optimizing performance, recovery, and body composition goals. This study aimed to investigate the dietary intakes (DIs); nutritional knowledge (NK); and attitudes, perceptions, and challenges (APC) of semiprofessional rugby players in Scotland. Methods Dietary intakes and NK of 24 male semiprofessional rugby players of a Super6 club were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Players were categorized as having good or poor NK according to NK scores. Diet-related APCs were assessed using researcher-developed questionnaires and 1-1 semi-structured interviews. Results Mean ± SD total NK% was poor, 53.7 ± 11.9%. The ‘Good’ NK group scored significantly higher in the Weight Management (p = 0.014), Macronutrients (p < 0.001), Micronutrients (p = 0.001), and Sports Nutrition (p < 0.001) sections. Mean DIs from food sources were 26.3 ± 9.2 kcal/kg/day energy, 1.4 ± 0.4 g/kg/day protein, and 21.7 ± 10.1 g/day fibre. Median (25th,75th) carbohydrate intake was 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) g/kg/day, and 6.3 (2.3, 10.6) units/week alcohol. Mean ± SD fat and saturated fat (SFA) % total energy intake (EI) were 36.2 ± 3.7% and 12.8 ± 1.9%, respectively, and SFA %EI exceeded recommendations (p < 0.001). The ‘Good’ NK group had significantly higher intakes of all macronutrients (p < 0.05). Total NK% positively correlated with intakes of meat (r = 0.556, p = 0.011), cereals (r = 0.458, p = 0.042), dietary fat (r = 0.477, p = 0.034), vegetables (r = 0.487, p = 0.030), and alcoholic beverages (r = 0.541, p = 0.014). Supplement use was 68%. Players felt diet affected performance (94%) but 31% of them were unaware of any specific nutritional strategies. A healthy diet was perceived to be ‘balanced’ with ‘variety from all food groups. Lack of time for preparation was described as the main barrier to healthy eating. Conclusions Overall, players had poor NK, their fibre and carbohydrate intake was suboptimal, whereas saturated fat intake exceeded recommendations. Many lacked awareness of current sports nutrition guidelines. Further nutrition education may be needed to improve diet quality and aid performance goals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:08:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-00d2033cba11415fa742177fcb160b8a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:08:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-00d2033cba11415fa742177fcb160b8a2023-09-21T12:43:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832022-12-01191496910.1080/15502783.2022.20364362036436Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in ScotlandSonam Hitendre0Rebecca Jordan1Christos Theodorakopoulos2Lois White3Queen Margaret UniversityQueen Margaret UniversityQueen Margaret UniversityQueen Margaret UniversityBackground Adequate nutritional intake plays a pivotal role in optimizing performance, recovery, and body composition goals. This study aimed to investigate the dietary intakes (DIs); nutritional knowledge (NK); and attitudes, perceptions, and challenges (APC) of semiprofessional rugby players in Scotland. Methods Dietary intakes and NK of 24 male semiprofessional rugby players of a Super6 club were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Players were categorized as having good or poor NK according to NK scores. Diet-related APCs were assessed using researcher-developed questionnaires and 1-1 semi-structured interviews. Results Mean ± SD total NK% was poor, 53.7 ± 11.9%. The ‘Good’ NK group scored significantly higher in the Weight Management (p = 0.014), Macronutrients (p < 0.001), Micronutrients (p = 0.001), and Sports Nutrition (p < 0.001) sections. Mean DIs from food sources were 26.3 ± 9.2 kcal/kg/day energy, 1.4 ± 0.4 g/kg/day protein, and 21.7 ± 10.1 g/day fibre. Median (25th,75th) carbohydrate intake was 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) g/kg/day, and 6.3 (2.3, 10.6) units/week alcohol. Mean ± SD fat and saturated fat (SFA) % total energy intake (EI) were 36.2 ± 3.7% and 12.8 ± 1.9%, respectively, and SFA %EI exceeded recommendations (p < 0.001). The ‘Good’ NK group had significantly higher intakes of all macronutrients (p < 0.05). Total NK% positively correlated with intakes of meat (r = 0.556, p = 0.011), cereals (r = 0.458, p = 0.042), dietary fat (r = 0.477, p = 0.034), vegetables (r = 0.487, p = 0.030), and alcoholic beverages (r = 0.541, p = 0.014). Supplement use was 68%. Players felt diet affected performance (94%) but 31% of them were unaware of any specific nutritional strategies. A healthy diet was perceived to be ‘balanced’ with ‘variety from all food groups. Lack of time for preparation was described as the main barrier to healthy eating. Conclusions Overall, players had poor NK, their fibre and carbohydrate intake was suboptimal, whereas saturated fat intake exceeded recommendations. Many lacked awareness of current sports nutrition guidelines. Further nutrition education may be needed to improve diet quality and aid performance goals.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2036436nutritional knowledgeathletesrugbydietary intakeperformance enhancing supplementsdietary goalsnutritional strategiesperceptionschallenges |
| spellingShingle | Sonam Hitendre Rebecca Jordan Christos Theodorakopoulos Lois White Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition nutritional knowledge athletes rugby dietary intake performance enhancing supplements dietary goals nutritional strategies perceptions challenges |
| title | Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland |
| title_full | Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland |
| title_fullStr | Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland |
| title_short | Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland |
| title_sort | dietary intakes knowledge and perceptions of semi professional rugby athletes in scotland |
| topic | nutritional knowledge athletes rugby dietary intake performance enhancing supplements dietary goals nutritional strategies perceptions challenges |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2036436 |
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