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Journal Article Epublish 8 citations

PubMed: 39852612 DOI: 10.3390/sports13010016

Assessing Nutritional Knowledge and Physical Health Among Football Players: A Pilot Study from Three Sports Clubs in Western Romania.

Sports (Basel) 13(1)

Authors: Gabriel Roberto Marconi, Brigitte Osser, Gyongyi Osser, Caius Calin Miuța, Csongor Toth, Viorel Petru Ardelean, Anca Dicu, Corina Dalia Toderescu, Laura Ioana Bondar

Affiliations

  • Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, "Aurel Vlaicu" University of Arad, 310130 Arad, Romania.
  • School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.
  • Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism and Environmental Protection, "Aurel Vlaicu" University of Arad, 310130 Arad, Romania.
  • Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
  • Department of Biology and Life Sciences, "Vasile Goldiș" Western University of Arad, 310048 Arad, Romania.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Football players require optimal nutrition and physical fitness to enhance their performance and maintain their health. Understanding the relationships among nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, physical health, and substance use in athletes is essential for developing effective strategies. This study investigates these factors in male football players aged 16-33 years.

METHODS

The study involved 60 male football players from three teams in Liga4Arad. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating a self-developed pilot questionnaire and internationally validated instruments. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Guttman's λ2. The questionnaire assessed nutritional knowledge, eating habits, substance use, and physical health parameters, including body fat percentage and training frequency. Spearman's correlation was used to analyze the data and explore the interrelationships between these factors. It is important to note that the pilot questionnaire used in this study was self-developed and not previously validated in this specific context.

RESULTS

Nutritional knowledge was positively correlated with healthier eating habits ( = 0.675, < 0.001). Intensive training and higher physical activity levels were both associated with improved body composition and lower body fat ( = 0.341, = 0.006). Supplement use was moderately correlated with alcohol consumption ( = 0.548, < 0.001) and weakly correlated with smoking ( = 0.348, = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights a strong relationship between nutritional knowledge and healthier eating habits among football players, as well as the significant role of frequent intense training in reducing body fat percentages and enhancing physical fitness. Additionally, the findings suggest a moderate association between dietary supplement use and alcohol consumption, underscoring the need for tailored interventions to address substance use and its impact on players' health behaviors and performance.

MeSH

Pilot Projects, Pilots, Eating, Health Behavior, Physical Fitness, Feeding Behavior, Alcohol Drinking, Football, Sports

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