KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE ATHLETES INSTITUTE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, UBTH, TOWARDS THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND RECOVERY

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate athletes Institute of Health Technology, UBTH, towards the role of nutrition in exercise performance and recovery. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of study consisted of 101 student athletes of the Institute of Health in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (IHT; UBTH). A structured questionnaire was used as the research instrument and it was administered to fifty (50) respondents. Findings of this study revealed that nutrition behaviors of undergraduate athletes, is influenced by external factors, such as time constraints, budget, and availability of food options with limited access to proper nutrition education. This study was also able to discover that undergraduate athletes often have busy schedules that include classes, practices, and games, leaving them with limited time to prepare healthy meals. Also, through the findings of this study, it was discovered that there is a significant relationship between nutrition knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of undergraduate athletes with their exercise performance and recovery outcomes. It is therefore recommended that undergraduate athletes plan ahead for their meals, set a realistic budget for their nutrition, seek professional advice from a qualified sports nutritionist or dietitian if they have specific nutrition needs or goals, and also educate themselves on the basics of nutrition and how it affects their exercise performance and recovery