A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Influencing the Dietary Intakes of Professional Australian Football Players

Sarah Jenner, Regina Belski, Brooke Devlin, Aaron Coutts, Thomas Kempton and Adrienne Forsyth
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Sarah Jenner: School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Regina Belski: School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Brooke Devlin: School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Aaron Coutts: Human Performance Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, NSW 2007, Australia
Thomas Kempton: Carlton Football Club, Carlton, VIC 3054, Australia
Adrienne Forsyth: School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: (1) Background: Many professional Australian Football (AF) players do not meet recommended sports nutrition guidelines despite having access to nutrition advice. There are a range of factors that can influence players? ability to meet their nutrition goals and awareness of the barriers players face is essential to ensure that dietary advice translates into practice. Therefore, this qualitative research study aimed to explore the factors influencing AF players’ dietary intakes and food choice. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve professional male AF players. (3) Results: Less experienced players restricted their carbohydrate intake to meet body composition goals, particularly during preseason and surrounding body composition assessment. During the competition season players had a greater focus on performance and placed more emphasis on carbohydrate intake in the lead up to matches. Players felt nutrition goals were easier to achieve when dietary choices were supported by their families and peers. One-on-one consultations provided by a sports dietitian were players? preferred mode of nutrition intervention. Individualized nutrition advice is required for less experienced AF players who may be vulnerable to unsustainable dietary habits. Experienced AF players can support junior teammates by promoting positive team culture related to body composition, nutrition and performance.

Keywords: carbohydrate; body composition; Australian football; qualitative; education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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