Dietary behaviours in Gaelic football: a mixed-methods exploration of players’ capability, opportunity, and motivation

Abstract Background Gaelic football is a high-intensity, intermittent team sport played at an amateur level, though its training demands often resemble those of professional sport. Previous research has indicated suboptimal energy and carbohydrate intake among players, which may impair performance and recovery. Objective This study aimed to (a) assess the dietary intake of Gaelic football players and (b) explore the factors that influence their dietary behaviours, using the COM-B model to identify modifiable targets to inform future nutrition interventions. Methods A mixed-methods, cross-sectional design was used. An online questionnaire captured sociodemographic data, nutrition knowledge, and cooking and food skills confidence. Semi-structured interviews explored dietary influences, and a 5-day estimated food diary assessed dietary intake. Data were integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of dietary behaviours. Results A purposive sample of 20 players (mean age 27.1 ± 5.5 years) participated. The mean nutrition knowledge score was 54.7 ± 10.5%, cooking skills confidence was 63.6% ± 19.3%, and average daily energy intake was 2482 ± 788 kcal·day⁻¹. Carbohydrate intake averaged 3.8 ± 0.9 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, protein 1.9 ± 0.5 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, and fat 31.7 ± 4.8%TDEI. Only three of seventeen participants met the recommended carbohydrate intake of ≥ 5.0 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, all of whom were male elite-level players; in contrast, all participants met the minimum protein recommendation of 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, with five exceeding the upper limit of 2.0 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹. Reflexive thematic analysis generated six themes: (1) ‘Athlete’s Motivations – A Double-Edged Sword’; (2) ‘Knowledge Is Power – But Only If You Apply It’; (3) ‘Cooking & Food Skills – Failing to Prepare Is Preparing to Fail’; (4) ‘An Athlete’s Social Dilemma’; (5) ‘Nutrition Support – More Than a Tick-Box Exercise’; and (6) ‘We Are All Products of Our Environment – Athletes Are No Exception’. Conclusions Improving dietary behaviours in Gaelic football requires holistic, context-sensitive strategies that strengthen capability (cooking and meal-planning skills, and the behavioural regulation needed to act on them), expand opportunity (food provision after late training sessions and away fixtures, adequate preparation facilities, credible and continuous nutrition support, and squad norms that counter conflicting dietary messages), and broaden motivation beyond short-term performance to include recovery and long-term health. Future research should pilot-test these recommendations and evaluate their feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness across athlete levels and contexts.