Assessment of knowledge and dietary practices of football players at football clubs in Hawassa city, Ethiopia

Sports Nutrition and Ortho Congress

December 08-09, 2016 | Philadelphia, USA

Addisalem Mesfin

Hawassa University, Ethiopia

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Sports Med Doping Stud

Abstract :

Most nutrition related studies done in developing countries like Ethiopia focuses on women and children. In Ethiopia, there is no trend of hiring nutrition consultant for football clubs even at national football team level. Currently, no published research is available to enforce the federation as well the sport club managements. A cross sectional study was conducted on a total of 76 football players out of three clubs. Almost all interviewed players believe that nutrition is important for soccer players. When qualifying questions on their nutrition knowledge is forwarded answers given by the players were varied and they have limited knowledge on soccer focused nutrition. Almost all (94.8%) believe it is good if they have a nutritionist in their club. Almost half (53.2%) reported they usually seek nutrition related information from different sources. Only 13% reported they took football focused nutrition training. Almost three fourth of the players reported that they have a habit of reading nutrition related information on packed foods. Majority (74%) reported that they don�t have a habit of consuming soft drinks and bottled water is reported as the most consumed fluid before, during and after training/competition. Around 1/3 reported they have a habit eating 2hrs before training/competition, 26% before 3hrs and 19.5% before 4hrs mostly (80.6%) pasta and after training 46.8% usually eat meat, 41.6% pasta and 6.5% banana. All the results support that players have limited knowledge and suboptimal nutrition practices so there is a need for a soccer focused nutrition follow up based intensive training.

Biography :

Email: addisemesfin@yahoo.com