Eat and Run: A cross-sectional study of the nutrition knowledge of UK-based ultramarathon runners. Can their nutrition knowledge help predict performance?
By James Ellis - Nutrition Science and Practice
Abstract
Background
Ultramarathon running (running more than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles) is a fast-growing sport where sound nutrition to provide the energy needed to complete the distance covered is key. Despite this, there are conflicting strategies about how best to fuel the body for endurance and little is known about the nutrition knowledge and practices of participants.
Aims and objectives
This study assesses the nutrition knowledge of 97 UK-based ultramarathon runners who have completed a 100km race in the three years prior to September 1, 2018. Using statistical analysis of said nutrition knowledge, it also attempts to see if that can be used to predict runners’ performance.
Methodology
The 97 respondents were asked to complete an 86-question Nutrition Knowledge for Sports Questionnaire developed at an Australian university. The questionnaire was administered using an online e-survey platform. Respondents were also asked to complete a number of supplementary demographic questions and queries about items such as their key sources of nutrition information, from whom they sought nutrition advice and how they would describe their diets. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics release 23.0.0.2.
Findings
From a potential total score of 88, mean nutrition knowledge score of UK-based 100km runners was 50.03 (±9.88) or 57% (±11.27). In the questionnaire subsections, the highest mean score of 70.31% (±14.84) was recorded in the section on Macronutrients; the lowest mean of 38.05% (± 22.01) was recorded in the section on Supplementation. Regression analysis showed that a model using gender, BMI, age and nutrition knowledge score could significantly explain almost a quarter (24.9%) of the variance in race times. Gender and BMI proved to be significant predictors in the model, while age and nutrition knowledge were not.
Conclusion
UK-based ultramarathon runners have low-to-moderate sports nutrition knowledge. In a model alongside gender, BMI and age, such knowledge can be used to predict performance. Interventions to increase the nutrition knowledge of athletes are recommended.
