Yousri Elghoul, Ben Mwesigwa, Maurice Douryang, Ralph Frimpong, Carol B Mahachi, Sidney-Rich Acquaye, Nonhlanhla S Mkumbuzi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: This study assessed sports nutrition knowledge, nutrition-related beliefs, and dietary practices among African football players across all six Confederation of African Football zones and examined how age, sex, education, and competitive level relate to sports nutrition knowledge.
Methods: A total of 1310 players (758 men/boys; 552 women/girls) completed a validated questionnaire adapted from previous literature and the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U; Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn-Holm correction), Chi-square tests, and Spearman correlations were used to examine group differences and associations.
Results: Overall, sports nutrition knowledge was low. Fewer than half of players correctly identified macronutrient content in common foods (carbohydrates 45-53%; protein 23-41%; fat 50-57%). Knowledge of optimal nutrient timing (34-39%) and hydration strategies (<33%) was similarly limited. Belief misconceptions were widespread: 75% endorsed routine supplement use, and nearly half believed iron tablets should be taken for fatigue and pallor. Only 8.5% reported high confidence in their sports nutrition knowledge, most of which originated from internet sources (34%). Although 68% consumed three meals daily, only 26-32% reported daily fruit or vegetable intake, while ∼40% consumed daily fast food, sweetened beverages, and supplements. Sports nutrition knowledge differed significantly by age, education, and competition level (p < 0.001, respectively), with senior players and those with higher education scoring higher. Women/girls had higher sports nutrition knowledge than men/boys (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for context-specific, evidence-based nutrition education strategies to support healthy and performance-enhancing dietary behaviours among developing and elite football players across Africa.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport is the official journal of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) and is an an international refereed research publication covering all aspects of sport science and medicine.
The Journal considers for publication Original research and Review papers in the sub-disciplines relating generally to the broad sports medicine and sports science fields: sports medicine, sports injury (including injury epidemiology and injury prevention), physiotherapy, podiatry, physical activity and health, sports science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control and learning, sport and exercise psychology, sports nutrition, public health (as relevant to sport and exercise), and rehabilitation and injury management. Manuscripts with an interdisciplinary perspective with specific applications to sport and exercise and its interaction with health will also be considered.
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