Western Kentucky University
Impact of Nutrition Knowledge on Performance Supplement Use in General Athletic Populations
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Hospitality Management and Dietetics and Exersize Science
2nd Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Hospitality Management and Dietetics
Institution 23-24
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Ann E. Embry
Department
Applied Human Sciences
Abstract
The use of performance supplements among athletic populations continues to grow. This study was conducted to investigate how individual nutritional knowledge impacts performance supplement use among athletic populations. An electronic survey was sent through a student-all email at a university in south-central Kentucky as well as through flyers posted in different gyms. Participants had to confirm their engagement in intentional physical activity (i.e. strength training, running, sports, etc.) for a minimum of two hours per week to qualify for the study. A total of 95 participants between the ages of 18 and 60 years old (mean age = 25.4 years old) qualified for and completed the survey. Among the 95 participants, 44 (46.32%) were male, 48 (50.53%) were female, 2 (2.11%) were non-binary, and 1 (1.05%) did not specify. The survey assessed each participant’s nutrition knowledge through a standardized nutrition questionnaire developed by Parmenter and Wardle (1999). Additionally, participants responded to eight open-response questions relating to their supplement use and knowledge of supplements. The average score on the general nutrition knowledge questionnaire was 67.21% ± 10.10%. Meanwhile, 67.48% ± 11.01% of participants reported the use of at least one performance supplement. Protein powder (67.86%), stimulants (41.07%), and creatine (41.07%) were the three most used supplements. The internet (41.07%), scholarly journals (16.07%), and product labels (10.71%) were the top three stated sources for information regarding performance supplements. The top three reasons noted by participants for taking performance supplements included: to gain muscle (46.43%), improve performance (30.36%), and improve muscle recovery (26.79%). The results of the survey indicated no significant relationship between nutrition knowledge and performance supplement use; however, it is worth noting that over half of the participants chose to use some type of nutritional supplement.
Impact of Nutrition Knowledge on Performance Supplement Use in General Athletic Populations
The use of performance supplements among athletic populations continues to grow. This study was conducted to investigate how individual nutritional knowledge impacts performance supplement use among athletic populations. An electronic survey was sent through a student-all email at a university in south-central Kentucky as well as through flyers posted in different gyms. Participants had to confirm their engagement in intentional physical activity (i.e. strength training, running, sports, etc.) for a minimum of two hours per week to qualify for the study. A total of 95 participants between the ages of 18 and 60 years old (mean age = 25.4 years old) qualified for and completed the survey. Among the 95 participants, 44 (46.32%) were male, 48 (50.53%) were female, 2 (2.11%) were non-binary, and 1 (1.05%) did not specify. The survey assessed each participant’s nutrition knowledge through a standardized nutrition questionnaire developed by Parmenter and Wardle (1999). Additionally, participants responded to eight open-response questions relating to their supplement use and knowledge of supplements. The average score on the general nutrition knowledge questionnaire was 67.21% ± 10.10%. Meanwhile, 67.48% ± 11.01% of participants reported the use of at least one performance supplement. Protein powder (67.86%), stimulants (41.07%), and creatine (41.07%) were the three most used supplements. The internet (41.07%), scholarly journals (16.07%), and product labels (10.71%) were the top three stated sources for information regarding performance supplements. The top three reasons noted by participants for taking performance supplements included: to gain muscle (46.43%), improve performance (30.36%), and improve muscle recovery (26.79%). The results of the survey indicated no significant relationship between nutrition knowledge and performance supplement use; however, it is worth noting that over half of the participants chose to use some type of nutritional supplement.