Evaluating ROTC Cadets’ Knowledge Of General And Sport Nutrition

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets regularly undergo highly stressful and physically demanding training, making adequate nutrition knowledge and eating habits essential for optimal health and physical performance. However, there is a paucity of data on ROTC cadets’ general and sports nutrition knowledge. PURPOSE: We evaluated ROTC cadets' general and sports nutrition knowledge. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 206 ROTC cadets regarding sports performance and nutrition supplementation knowledge via the validated paper-based questionnaire, Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Athletes (NKQA). The questionnaire data were analyzed using SPSS version 29 software. Shapiro-Wilk Test was used to assess normality. The correct responses (as percentages) for the overall NKQA and its subsections are reported as mean and standard deviations. Independent sample T-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests (if normality was violated) evaluated differences in NKQA responses between sexes and commission status. RESULTS: Cadets averaged 33.9 ± 17.1% overall correct responses on the NKQA, wherein scores for each subsection were as follows: carbohydrates = 29.0 ± 17.1%, protein = 47.4 ± 24.9%, fat = 36.8 ± 25.9%, vitamins = 31.8 ± 24.3%, general nutrition = 28.2 ± 14.1%, fluid = 25.8 ± 21.1%, and sports nutrition = 32.5 ± 19.8%. We did not find differences in ROTC commission status for the NKQA responses; however, we did find differences for the protein (p = 0.002, d = 0.568) and sports nutrition (p = 0.038, d = 0.358) NKQA sections; female ROTC cadets reported lower nutrition knowledge compared to male cadets within these subsections. CONCLUSION: ROTC cadets have low general and sports nutrition knowledge, whereas female ROTC cadets demonstrated lower protein and sports nutrition guidelines knowledge. These data suggest that ROTC cadets may require educational interventions to improve their nutrition knowledge, especially regarding sports nutrition.