Perceptions and Determinants of Eating for Health and Performance in High-Level Male Adolescent Rugby Union Players

Abstract

Sports nutrition recommendations provide guidance on dietary strategies to optimise sports performance. However, research indicates that young athletes often find it difficult to follow these guidelines in practice. Limited research exists on the determinants that influence adherence to sports nutrition guidelines. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and determinants of eating for health and performance in high-level male adolescent rugby union players. Determinants were explored using semi-structured individual interviews in New Zealand high-level male rugby union players (n = 20, 16–18 years). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then underwent thematic analysis. Perceptions of eating for health and performance included balance and variety, appropriate portions, and specific foods. Both adolescent- and sport-specific determinants influenced the food choices of participants. Determinants relevant to adolescent lifestyles included the influence of significant others such as peers and family but also included the taste, cost, convenience, and availability of food. Sports-specific determinants revolved around the desire to enhance sports performance, motivation to perform, and team culture. The media (mainstream and social media), physical appearance, and feeling good were identified as both adolescent- and sport-specific factors influencing food choice. These findings highlight the importance of having support and positive role modelling to help young athletes make optimal food choices for health and performance. Strategies to further enable healthy eating practices should aim to strengthen the support available to young athletes in the home, school, and sporting environments and should include education on appropriate social media use to inform eating for health and performance.

Understanding food choices and eating practices of Brazilian and Spanish athletes in aesthetics and weight class sports

“…Few studies detail athletes' food choices and eating practices from a qualitative perspective 5,11,12,[17][18][19][20][21] . However, those available have brought valuable insights to expand the understanding about athletes' choices and practices as they investigate beyond what athletes eat, bringing reasons why and how athletes think and behave in relation to food.…”

Dietary Intakes, Knowledge and Perceptions of Semi-Professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland.

“…A questionnaire on demographics and APC was developed in agreement with previously published studies (Alaunyte et al 2015;Trakman et al 2017;Stokes et al 2018). Dietary intakes were assessed using the EPIC-Norfolk Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) that lists UK-speci c food items (Bingham et al 2001).…”

“…Adequate dietary intake (DI) is crucial for athletes for overall health as well as for enhancing performance and recovery after training (Heaney et al 2011). Despite an increasing number of athletes aiming to fuel performance through optimal nutrition, research shows that many athletes have suboptimal DI and inadequate dietary knowledge which may translate into poorer food choices (Alaunyte et al 2017;Stokes et al 2018). Evidence of a relationship between nutrition and sports performance has raised awareness amongst athletes on effective nutritional practices to gain a competitive edge (Devlin et al 2017;Stokes et al 2018).…”

“…Previous research has shown that players were not aware of carbohydrate recommendations regardless of NK (Alaunyte et al 2015). Moreover, men's magazines often cite "protein needs" and lack messages which accurately translate to a healthy balanced diet (Ellison et al 2011;Stokes et al 2018). This may re ect players' lack of awareness of the sport nutrition guidelines and/or it could be argued that athletes perceive that the national dietary recommendation for the general population is not applicable to them ).…”

“…It has been long established that there are multiple factors that in uence dietary intake such as cost, food preferences, convenience, availability, skills, media, social, cultural and religious beliefs (Nestle et al 1998). More recent research has suggested that education status may in uence food choices and energy intake (Jenner et al 2018) in addition to physiological, social, psychological and economic factors (Birkenhead and Slater 2015;Stokes et al 2018). Semi-professional athletes may be presented with additional factors which may in uence dietary choices such as access to nutritional advice and time constraints while managing work and family commitments with busy training schedules.…”