Exploring the level of awareness about sports nutrition knowledge among football players belonging to different ethnic groups of North Bengal, India

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of awareness about sports-nutrition knowledge among football players belonging to different ethnic groups living in North Bengal, India. Based on positivistic approach, the present study revealed that the football players of this region possess inadequate knowledge of nutrition both in terms of general nutrition knowledge and in terms of the timing and type of nutrients to be consumed before, during, and after competition. Moreover, the habit of consuming protein (meat) during and immediately after sports competition seems to be a traditionally perceived way of food consumption and practice, which is needed to be changed. And, such a low level of sports-nutrition knowledge among football players of present study highlights the importance to introduce special educational program on sports-nutrition to enhance their knowledge and thereby performance and health.