Perceptions of Nutrition and Athletic Performance

Project Overview

Many athletes struggle to maintain the proper diet or lack a good foundation of knowledge about nutrition which have both been major contributors to them not reaching their full potential in their sport. My research focuses on student athletes, in particular, and the effects that a lack of nutritional or health-conscious based knowledge on what a healthy diet should consist of in all forms as well as the effects on mental health that they may encounter due to stress from classes, pressure from coaches/fans, time management, etc and how both factors together contribute to and can be improved upon in order to maximize athletic performance. I will be conducting a survey that asks questions ranging from one’s lifestyle choices, their dieting preferences, and their overall mental health to analyze how these factors affect their athletic performance. I am focusing on the University of Colorado - Boulder student athlete population who play any D1 or club level sport. I believe that my research and findings will benefit the student athletes at CU Boulder as well as trainers, coaches, and students overall who are trying to improve upon their nutrition and overall wellbeing.