Nutritional Knowledge of College Coaches

Abstract Nutrition is recognized as an integral component to achieving optimal athletic performance. Even with the increase in sports nutrition research, athletes continually exhibit a lack of knowledge, which is cause for concern (Jacobson & Aldana, 1992; Jacobson, Sobonya, & Ransone, 2001; Rosenbloom, Jonnalagadda, & Skinner, 2002; Torres-McGehee et al., 2012). Moreover, coaches are a primary source of information to their athletes, but research is limited regarding the adequacy of their nutritional knowledge. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional knowledge of college coaches using the validated 88 item Sports Nutrition Questionnaire by Caryn Zinn. Twentyone coaches from a Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institution in the southeastern United States participated. The sample consisted of 16 males and five females. Sports represented were basketball (n=5), cross country and track (n=5), football (n=6), soccer (n=2), softball (n=1), and volleyball (n=2). Results revealed college coaches do not have adequate nutritional knowledge. Only one participant obtained a score about 70% (M=55%). Results indicate coaches may not be an appropriate source of information to their athletes but more research needs to be conducted in the area to further assess collegiate coaches’ nutritional knowledge.