Investigation of the relationship between nutritional knowledge and nutritional supplement belief levels and athletic performances of elite cross-country skiers

Authors : Neslihan AKÇAY, Mehmet Emin YELKEN, Hilal DOĞAN GÜNEY, Pınar GOBEL, Mustafa Şakir AKGÜL

Pages : 186-194

Doi:10.31459/turkjkin.1327233

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Publication Date : 2023-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The use of nutritional supplements provides support to the athlete, while the use of wrong and inappropriate supplements may adversely affect the performance of the athlete. This study investigated the relationship between the nutritional knowledge and nutritional supplement belief levels and athletic performances of elite cross-country skiers. A total of 19 elite cross-country skiers, 8 females and 11 males insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(mean age of 16.1±1.00 years); competing in the U-16 and U-18 categories, participated in the study. Inbody 120, 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprint, agility, 20m shuttle run and hand grip tests were used to assess physical and psychological factors. Moreover, the Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NSKQ); and the Sports Supplements Belief Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SSBS); were applied to the athletes. No significance was found in the comparison of the athletes in terms of Body Mass Index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BMI); classification insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p>0.05);. A positive relationship was found between the NSKQ and age insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.466; p=0.044);, body fat percentage insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.505; p=0.027);, and body fat mass insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.642; p=0.003); values. On the other hand, a positive relationship was found between the SSBS scale and body weight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.136; p=0.009);, body muscle mass insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.681; p=0.001);, total body water insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.647; p=0.003);, hand grip strength insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(right hand r=0.621; p=0.005; left hand r=0.635; p=0.003);, while a negative relationship was found between the SSBS scale and 10m sprint insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=-0.589; p=0.008);, 20m sprint insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=-0.606; p=0.006);, 30m sprint insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=-0.480; p=0.037); and agility values insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=-0.533; p=0.019);. These findings demonstrate that the sports nutrition knowledge level does not have a positive effect on athletic performance, but it has a positive effect on body muscle mass, strength, sprint, and agility values that affect athletes’ athletic performances as athletes’ nutritional supplements belief levels increase.
Keywords : Athletic performance, cross country skiing, nutritional knowledge level, supplements