PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF SPORTS NUTRITIONISTS

A three-part questionnaire was used to identify professionals in sport s nutrition and survey their recommendations on various aspects of spo rts nutrition. The majority of respondents were women. Over half of th e sample reported working in sports nutrition for 6 years or less, and 72% indicated that 40% or less of their job is dedicated to sports nu trition. A portion of the questionnaire assessed the subjects' opinion s on various sports nutrition topics. Statements on water and electrol ytes generated the most agreement while statements on protein generate d the least agreement. There was a positive correlation (p<0.004) betw een level of education and whether or not the respondents recommended glycogen loading, and a positive correlation (p<0.008) between the sub jects' use of dietary supplements and the fact that they recommended s upplements to the athletes they counseled. The majority of professiona ls in this study worked with recreational athletes and were more conce rned about encouraging a healthy diet than improving athletic performa nce.