Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players
Optimal athletic performance relies on meeting specific nutritional requirements, encompassing adequate calorie intake, macronutrient intake, and hydration. Misinformation or misconceptions about these necessities are prevalent among young athletes. This study investigated nutrition and hydration kn...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/533 |
| _version_ | 1797297289672261632 |
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| author | Shane Scanlon Catherine Norton |
| author_facet | Shane Scanlon Catherine Norton |
| author_sort | Shane Scanlon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Optimal athletic performance relies on meeting specific nutritional requirements, encompassing adequate calorie intake, macronutrient intake, and hydration. Misinformation or misconceptions about these necessities are prevalent among young athletes. This study investigated nutrition and hydration knowledge and practices among 28 male rugby union players aged 16 to 17, participating in Munster Rugby’s 2023 Summer Age-Grade Development Programme, specifically the U18′s Schools Squad. The Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire assessed nutrition knowledge, while the Hydration Assessment Questionnaire evaluated hydration knowledge. Urinalysis for hydration status utilised urine specific gravity measurements pre-exercise on five separate days (1.018 ± 0.008 U<sub>sg</sub>). Dietary intake was recorded using a 3-day estimated food intake record on the Libro App, analysed with Nutritics software(Version 9.50). Suboptimal nutrition knowledge (49.6 ± 8.2%) and dietary practices were observed, with incongruent nutrient intakes compared to recommendations for adolescent athletes. While superior hydration knowledge (79.0 (77.3, 83.6) %) was evident, pre-exercise urine specific gravity readings indicated significant variation (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and signs of dehydration (USG > 1.020 U<sub>sg</sub>). No statistically significant correlations were found between knowledge and practices. The study highlights suboptimal nutrition and hydration knowledge and practices in youth athletes, suggesting the need for tailored support and educational interventions to enhance their overall health and performance. Further investigation into barriers and facilitators to dietary adherence is recommended for more effective interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:18:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-baf8e067edf2448eb09921e515bb435e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:18:50Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-baf8e067edf2448eb09921e515bb435e2024-02-23T15:30:01ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432024-02-0116453310.3390/nu16040533Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union PlayersShane Scanlon0Catherine Norton1Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, IrelandDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, IrelandOptimal athletic performance relies on meeting specific nutritional requirements, encompassing adequate calorie intake, macronutrient intake, and hydration. Misinformation or misconceptions about these necessities are prevalent among young athletes. This study investigated nutrition and hydration knowledge and practices among 28 male rugby union players aged 16 to 17, participating in Munster Rugby’s 2023 Summer Age-Grade Development Programme, specifically the U18′s Schools Squad. The Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire assessed nutrition knowledge, while the Hydration Assessment Questionnaire evaluated hydration knowledge. Urinalysis for hydration status utilised urine specific gravity measurements pre-exercise on five separate days (1.018 ± 0.008 U<sub>sg</sub>). Dietary intake was recorded using a 3-day estimated food intake record on the Libro App, analysed with Nutritics software(Version 9.50). Suboptimal nutrition knowledge (49.6 ± 8.2%) and dietary practices were observed, with incongruent nutrient intakes compared to recommendations for adolescent athletes. While superior hydration knowledge (79.0 (77.3, 83.6) %) was evident, pre-exercise urine specific gravity readings indicated significant variation (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and signs of dehydration (USG > 1.020 U<sub>sg</sub>). No statistically significant correlations were found between knowledge and practices. The study highlights suboptimal nutrition and hydration knowledge and practices in youth athletes, suggesting the need for tailored support and educational interventions to enhance their overall health and performance. Further investigation into barriers and facilitators to dietary adherence is recommended for more effective interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/533rugby unionnutritionhydrationknowledgepracticeadolescent |
| spellingShingle | Shane Scanlon Catherine Norton Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players Nutrients rugby union nutrition hydration knowledge practice adolescent |
| title | Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players |
| title_full | Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players |
| title_fullStr | Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players |
| title_short | Investigating Nutrition and Hydration Knowledge and Practice among a Cohort of Age-Grade Rugby Union Players |
| title_sort | investigating nutrition and hydration knowledge and practice among a cohort of age grade rugby union players |
| topic | rugby union nutrition hydration knowledge practice adolescent |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/533 |
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