Journals Information
International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 13(6), pp. 1173 - 1181
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130601
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Nutrition Knowledge and Perception of Dietary Supplements regarding Athletic Performance among Amateur and Professional University-Level Athletes
Siraphatthra Thongsawang 1, Techid Lersanekwattana 2, Sukanya Chorcharoenying 3,*
1 College of Integrative Medicine, Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand
2 Faculty of Sports Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
3 Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University, Thailand
ABSTRACT
The principal role of athletes' dietary goals is to achieve high performance. However, the nutritional practices of athletes are influenced by their level of nutrition knowledge, which enables them to make positive changes in their dietary intake, thereby eventually resulting in their maximized exercise capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional knowledge and perception of dietary supplements regarding athletic performance among amateur and professional university-level athletes. A cross-sectional study was performed with 139 university athletes as either amateur (n = 74) or professional (n = 65) athletes. The participants completed a questionnaire about information on their baseline characteristics and sports experience, followed by reporting their consumption behavior, perceptions of dietary supplements, and nutritional knowledge. The results showed that 74% of participants were likely to take dietary supplements on workout day without differences between sport levels. A higher consumption of whey protein was found in professionals than in amateurs, whereas 12% of participants reported never taking any supplements. Professionals considered the use of dietary supplements for recovery and improving strength more than amateurs. Furthermore, greater odds of providing correct responses to the protein and hydration questions were shown in professionals when compared to amateurs (p < 0.05). However, the overall nutritional knowledge demonstrated scores that were below the 75th percentile, with no differences between the groups. Thus, the evaluation of dietary decisions in athletes depends on their basic nutritional knowledge. However, practical sports nutrition is recommended for all levels of athletes and coaches to promote their health and physical fitness.
KEYWORDS
Nutrition Knowledge, Perception, Dietary Supplements, Workout
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Siraphatthra Thongsawang , Techid Lersanekwattana , Sukanya Chorcharoenying , "Nutrition Knowledge and Perception of Dietary Supplements regarding Athletic Performance among Amateur and Professional University-Level Athletes," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 1173 - 1181, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130601.
(b). APA Format:
Siraphatthra Thongsawang , Techid Lersanekwattana , Sukanya Chorcharoenying (2025). Nutrition Knowledge and Perception of Dietary Supplements regarding Athletic Performance among Amateur and Professional University-Level Athletes. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(6), 1173 - 1181. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2025.130601.