Knowledge level and nutritional intake of triathlon athletes from a sports consulting company in the city of Ponta Grossa - Paraná

Abstract

Triathlon is a sport that combines swimming, cycling, and running, and requires not only physical fitness but also proper nutrition to achieve performance. The lack of nutritional strategies represents a significant challenge for athletes, as it influences their performance. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and nutritional intake of triathletes from a sports consultancy in the city of Ponta Grossa, seeking to understand how nutrition can directly influence athletes' performance. A descriptive and quantitative-qualitative field research was conducted, using a Google Forms questionnaire to evaluate the nutritional status of each athlete. The questionnaire was sent to 50 athletes from the training program, and 27 chose to participate. Data collection occurred from May 23, 2024, to June 30, 2024. Upon completion, the data was analyzed and reviewed, revealing that 70.4% were men and 29.6% were women, with ages ranging from 18 to 55 years. It was also found that 40.7% of athletes do not have nutritional guidance, negatively impacting their sports performance. In addition to data collection, a Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) approach was conducted to promote knowledge about diet and sports, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition in sports. The results indicate the need for greater awareness of the importance of nutrition for athletes. The study hopes to contribute to a better understanding and appreciation of nutritional strategies in triathlon and sports in general.