Hydration And Nutrition Education With Division III Cross-country Runners

PURPOSE: NCAA Division III Cross-country runners (CC) often lack sport specific nutrition knowledge essential for maintaining energy balance, bone and muscle health, and enhancing performance. Previous studies have shown that sport nutrition education can lead to healthier food choices, better hydration practices and improved performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sport nutrition education intervention on food intake, hydration status, and body composition in CC. We hypothesized that evidence-based sports nutrition education would result in improved food choices, better hydration, and increased muscle mass-to-fat-mass ratios. METHODS: Nine athletes (64.44 ± 8.3 kg; 19.8 ± 1.4y/o; 4 male, 5 female; 2 African American, 7 white) volunteered to participate during the fall 2023 cross country season. Participants received an initial education session with a qualified sports nutritionist followed by reinforcement sessions once every three weeks. Pre- and post-season testing included three-day diet records, 24-hour urine collection, and body composition (via DXA). Data were analyzed with paired t-tests. RESULTS: Pre- (PRE) and post-intervention (POST) total caloric intake (1658 ± 612, 1741 ± 658, respectively vs 3,023 ± 371 kCal), carbohydrate (CHO) (219 ± 102, 216 ± 89 vs 470 ± 77 g) and protein (PRO) (65 ± 26, 66 ± 25 vs 135 ± 9 g) intake were significantly lower than recommended (p < 0.002). PRE and POST Fat intake were not different from recommended (63 ± 23, 63 ± 28 vs 67 ± 8 g). Hydration markers did not change PRE to POST: urine volume (1.58 ± 0.677, 1.15 ± 0.33 L), color (4.4 ± 1.4, 3.9 ± 1.6), specific gravity (1.014 ± 0.008, 1.015 ± 0.007) osmolality (564.3 ± 331.4, 559.3 ± 294.18 mmol·kg-1). There was no change in body composition. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a 12-week sport nutrition education program is insufficient to produce meaningful change in Division III athletes’ food choices and hydration practices due to time constraints and limited access to sport nutrition information. It is also likely that 12 weeks is insufficient to see changes in body composition for trained runners. Increased sport nutrition and hydration education resources are needed for long-term changes in athlete hydration and nutrition. Supported by: University of Hartford College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions Dean's Grant 2023-2024; New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Undergraduate Research Grant 2023