Publication Date

1997

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Schlabach, Gretchen A.

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Physical Education

LCSH

Northern Illinois University--Sports; College athletes--Illinois--De Kalb--Nutrition

Abstract

Athletes need appropriate nutritional support. Yet, inadequate diets are common among athletes due to nutrition misinformation, dietary fads, and obsessions with weight and food. The purpose of this study was threefold: (a) to determine the nutritionknowledge scores of college athletes competing at a midwestem state university, (b) to compare the nutrition-knowledge scores of male and female athletes, and (c) to compare the nutrition-test scores between athletes who use credible versus noncredible nutrition information sources. The knowledge test was developed by the investigator, and it consisted of items pertaining to the following subcategories: (a) energy nutrients, (b) ergogenic aids, (c) minerals/vitamins/fiber, (d) fluid intake, (e) weight control/training styles, and (f) Food Guide Pyramid/general nutrition. Demographic information was also included. A pilot test was given to 14 Certified Athletic Trainers and 19 college students enrolled in a general education sociology course to develop acceptable construct validity and internal consistency. Based on the item analysis, a few items were modified. One hundred sixty-one male (n=76) and female (n=85) college athletes, who were currently competing on 10 sports teams (softball, baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, cross country, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, wrestling, men’s swimming, and women’s swimming), participated in the study by completing the revised nutrition-knowledge test. A 2x2 (source x sex) analysis of variance of the test scores w ^ performed. There was no significant difference between source of information on test scores (credible: M = 38.8, SD = 3.7; noncredible: M = 38.3, SD = 5.0; F[sub 1,144] = 0.3, p = 0.6). However, the females (40.7±4.3) had significantly higher test scores than the males (36.4±4.4) (F[sub 1,144]=20.1, p< 0001). Eighty-five percent was set as an acceptable level of knowledge as measured by this test. None of the teams met this standard of 85%, but one team, cross country, did average a team score of 84% (Min =59%, Max= 93%). No interaction existed between sex of athlete and source of their nutritional information (F[sub 1,144] = 1.4, p = 0.3). Based on the results of this study, it is evident that nutrition knowledge is lacking among college athletes, especially males, competing at this midwestem state university.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [25]-29)

Extent

v, 70 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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