Differences Between Perceived and Recommended Nutritional Needs Among Three Division I Female Sports Teams Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: This study evaluated the discrepancy between perceived and recommended nutritional needs among NCAA Division I female athletes (soccer, softball, and volleyball). While proper nutrition is vital for performance, many athletes lack the knowledge to meet guidelines. This research specifically investigated whether these knowledge gaps vary by sport.

Methods: Fifty-six athletes completed surveys of their perceived daily requirements for total calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Perceived needs were then compared against American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) for low, medium, and high activity levels. Researchers calculated difference scores and utilized repeated measures ANOVAs to identify discrepancies based on sport and intensity.

Results: A significant main effect of activity level existed across all nutrients (p < .001, η²p = 0.984) showing that discrepancies between perceived and recommended intakes worsened as training intensity increased. While interactions between activity level and sport were significant for all metrics (p < .001), specific differences between soccer, softball, and volleyball were minimal. Follow-up tests for kilocalories and protein showed general sport effects at various activity levels, but Tukey-adjusted pairwise comparisons were not significant. For carbohydrates and fats, no sport-specific effects were detected. Essentially, athletes across all sports consistently struggled to accurately estimate their increasing nutritional demands.

Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest a need for targeted nutrition education in sports where athletes tend to underestimate their dietary requirements.