Sports Nutrition Knowledge of Volleyball Players

The study of nutrition and its effects on athletic performance has increased in recent years and its importance to exercise and sport performance is well documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the sports nutrition knowledge of volleyball players. There were 77 participants (13 male, 64 female) who were currently playing collegiate indoor or sitting Paralympic volleyball. Sports nutrition knowledge was assessed using the Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (SNKQ) by Zinn, Schofield, and Wall (2005). The mean SNQ raw score was 40.22 ± 8.39 out of a possible score of 88.00. The mean percentile score was 46 ± 9%. No athlete scored above the 70% established passing score. A univariate ANOVA was calculated evaluating nutritional knowledge based on school/level of competition, prior nutrition course taken, grade point average (GPA), and gender. Significance was established at p ≤ 0.05. Findings indicated no significant differences in SNKQ scores for any of the independent variables. Results clearly indicate collegiate athletes need further support, training, and education related to sport nutrition knowledge.