An Evaluation of Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Influencing Factors in NCAA Division III Athletes

Introduction: This study evaluated the sports nutrition knowledge of NCAA Division III (DIII) athletes, examining the influence of demographic and sport-specific factors. Nutrition is a critical component of athletic performance, recovery, and overall health, yet prior research indicates collegiate athletes often lack adequate nutrition knowledge. Methods: A total of 412 athletes, representing 17 different sports across endurance, power, and skill categories, completed the validated Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ). The sample included freshmen through fifth-year senior athletes, predominantly Caucasian (85%). Results: The average A-NSKQ score was 17.1 out of 35 (48.9%), indicating suboptimal knowledge. Significant differences were found across multiple variables including sex (p=0.0018), class rank (p=0.0023), sport played (p<0.0001), and previous nutrition education (p=0.0011). A multiple regression analysis identified sport played (54%), class rank (16%), sex (13%), and prior nutrition education (11%) as significant predictors of A-NSKQ scores (R2 = 0.26, p < 0.01). Conclusions: These results highlight the need for targeted, evidence-based nutrition education in DIII programs. Future research should explore how improved knowledge influences dietary practices, athletic performance, and effective delivery of nutritional education.