Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region
Abstract Background Athletes’ nutrition knowledge depends on the sources of nutrition information they are exposed to and their social status. Currently, there is a dearth of literature on the nutrition knowledge of Ugandan athletes. This study assessed endurance athletes’ sports nutrition knowledge...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01157-8 |
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| author | Joshua Musau Oluyemisi F. Folasire Nonhlanhla S. Mkumbuzi |
| author_facet | Joshua Musau Oluyemisi F. Folasire Nonhlanhla S. Mkumbuzi |
| author_sort | Joshua Musau |
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| description | Abstract Background Athletes’ nutrition knowledge depends on the sources of nutrition information they are exposed to and their social status. Currently, there is a dearth of literature on the nutrition knowledge of Ugandan athletes. This study assessed endurance athletes’ sports nutrition knowledge, sources of nutrition information, and their dietary consumption patterns. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study including 100 purposively selected (middle and long distance) athletes from four Athletic Management camps was conducted in Kapchorwa district, Uganda. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, trained research assistants collected athletes’ demographic information, knowledge, practices, sources of nutrition information and consumption patterns. ANOVA, Independent t-test, Chi-square analysis, and Binary logistic analyses were done using SPSS® software version 23.0. Results Most athletes n = 74 (74.0%) in this study were aged between 15 and 17 years with at least 2 years’ experience in athletics. Majority n = 68 (68.0%) of the athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge while n = 32 (32.0%) showed poor knowledge. About n = 88 (88.0%) knew that vitamin consumption can enhance recovery after training. Athletic trainers n = 49 (49.0%) and family/parents n = 28 (28.0%) were primary sources of nutrition information, while nutritionists/dietitians n = 5 (5.0%) and the internet n = 4 (4.0%) were less consulted. Cereals were the most consumed food group n = 72 (72.0%), followed by legumes and nuts n = 67 (67.0%) while the least consumed foods were milk/egg n = 33 (33.0%)), fish n = 25 (25.0%) and meat/poultry n = 13 (13.0%). Good sports nutrition knowledge was associated with adequate dietary practices (p = 0.009). Sports nutrition knowledge differed significantly with age group (F = 4.566, p = 0.013), and between female and male (F = 21.884, p < 0.000) athletes. Age group was a significant predictor (β = 1.925, Ex(β) = 6.853, C. I = 0.882–36.096, p = 0.023) of sports nutrition knowledge. Conclusions In this study endurance athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge, and relied primarily on their coaches/trainers for sports nutrition information. It is recommended that athletic trainers be offered supplementary training in sports nutrition to ensure proper nutrition knowledge dissemination among athletes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-354f4e49b86e4c61af8a6298fb5d2a9d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2052-1847 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj-art-354f4e49b86e4c61af8a6298fb5d2a9d2025-08-20T01:47:29ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-05-0117111310.1186/s13102-025-01157-8Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-regionJoshua Musau0Oluyemisi F. Folasire1Nonhlanhla S. Mkumbuzi2Sports Management and Policy Development Program, The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health and Agriculture– PAULESI)Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Medicine, University of IbadanDepartment of Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria UniversityAbstract Background Athletes’ nutrition knowledge depends on the sources of nutrition information they are exposed to and their social status. Currently, there is a dearth of literature on the nutrition knowledge of Ugandan athletes. This study assessed endurance athletes’ sports nutrition knowledge, sources of nutrition information, and their dietary consumption patterns. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study including 100 purposively selected (middle and long distance) athletes from four Athletic Management camps was conducted in Kapchorwa district, Uganda. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, trained research assistants collected athletes’ demographic information, knowledge, practices, sources of nutrition information and consumption patterns. ANOVA, Independent t-test, Chi-square analysis, and Binary logistic analyses were done using SPSS® software version 23.0. Results Most athletes n = 74 (74.0%) in this study were aged between 15 and 17 years with at least 2 years’ experience in athletics. Majority n = 68 (68.0%) of the athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge while n = 32 (32.0%) showed poor knowledge. About n = 88 (88.0%) knew that vitamin consumption can enhance recovery after training. Athletic trainers n = 49 (49.0%) and family/parents n = 28 (28.0%) were primary sources of nutrition information, while nutritionists/dietitians n = 5 (5.0%) and the internet n = 4 (4.0%) were less consulted. Cereals were the most consumed food group n = 72 (72.0%), followed by legumes and nuts n = 67 (67.0%) while the least consumed foods were milk/egg n = 33 (33.0%)), fish n = 25 (25.0%) and meat/poultry n = 13 (13.0%). Good sports nutrition knowledge was associated with adequate dietary practices (p = 0.009). Sports nutrition knowledge differed significantly with age group (F = 4.566, p = 0.013), and between female and male (F = 21.884, p < 0.000) athletes. Age group was a significant predictor (β = 1.925, Ex(β) = 6.853, C. I = 0.882–36.096, p = 0.023) of sports nutrition knowledge. Conclusions In this study endurance athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge, and relied primarily on their coaches/trainers for sports nutrition information. It is recommended that athletic trainers be offered supplementary training in sports nutrition to ensure proper nutrition knowledge dissemination among athletes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01157-8AthleteNutritionSportsKnowledgeEnduranceAfrican athletes |
| spellingShingle | Joshua Musau Oluyemisi F. Folasire Nonhlanhla S. Mkumbuzi Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Athlete Nutrition Sports Knowledge Endurance African athletes |
| title | Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region |
| title_full | Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region |
| title_fullStr | Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region |
| title_short | Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region |
| title_sort | sports nutrition knowledge source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of ugandan endurance athletes a cross sectional study of the sebei sub region |
| topic | Athlete Nutrition Sports Knowledge Endurance African athletes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01157-8 |
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