Nutrition Education and the Effects on Athletic Performance in Collegiate Athletes with Low Energy Availability

Current research suggests that collegiate athletes lack nutritional knowledge needed for optimal athletic performance. The absence of basic nutritional knowledge in college athletes puts them at an increased risk for RED-S and its sports performance consequences. The objective of this narrative review is to evaluate the literature on low energy availability in collegiate athletes and determine if nutrition education can improve athletic performance. Multiple studies concluded that nutrition education may improve dietary intake in collegiate athletes, while there was one contradicting study that found that athletes improved nutritional knowledge but did not improve dietary intake. 3 studies found that low energy availability results in negative effects on athletic performance. The research is limited on how nutrition education and knowledge influences athletic performance. It can be predicted that increased knowledge may improve low EA thus improving athletic performance in collegiate athletes. Future research should focus on the relationship between having a registered dietitian as part of the athletic team and nutrition knowledge, behaviors, and athletic performance in athletes. Additionally, interventions provided by a registered dietitian may fill the knowledge gap and improve health and performance in athletes