Intercollegiate female distance runners' nutrition knowledge and dietary practices

Abstract

Sixty-eight collegiate female distance runners in the state of Virginia responded to a questionnaire and completed four-day dietary records designed to assess their dietary practices and understanding of human nutrition as it relates to athletic performance. Sixty-four percent of the runners had been competing competitively for five or more years. Questions were concerned with their understanding of the basic food groups, energy substrates. fluid-electrolyte replacement, vitamin and mineral supplements and the pregame meal. The responses indicated that female distance runners had a limited understanding of nutrient energy sources. The runners' score on questions pertaining to carbohydrate foods and carbohydrate as a source of energy for athletic performance were higher than scores on questions pertaining to protein and fat. Approximately one-third of the females believed that drinks containing electrolytes were more beneficial than water in replacing fluids. Vitamin and mineral supplements were believed to enhance performance by sixty percent of the athletes. Analysis of the four-day dietary records indicate that of the 11 vitamins and minerals evaluated only B6 and iron intakes were lower than two-thirds of the recommended levels. Analysis of their diets using a Food Group score based on the Four Food Group Guide suggested that their relatively high nutrient intakes were not based on a selection of food for their nutrient values, but were due to higher than average calorie intakes. The results indicated no apparent relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary practice. This study indicated that athletes need more information on sound nutritional practices as they relate to performance.