🎙️ Episode Focus

The episode centers on a study titled: “NutritionEducation Curriculum Promotes Adolescent Runners’ Self-Efficacy, Knowledge, andIntake of Nutrient-Rich Carbohydrate Foods.”

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07315724.2021.2019139

👩‍⚕️ Guest: Dr.Michelle Barrack

• Assistant Professor at Cal State Long Beach and a sports dietitian.• Passionate about working with high school endurance runners.• Her research focuses on nutrition’s role in energy availability, bone health, and injury prevention.

🧑‍🏫 Guest:Coach Brian Jefferson

• Head boys track and field coach at Monona Grove High School, Wisconsin.• Emphasizes the importance of “little things” like nutrition in athlete development.• Interested in applying research findings to improve team performance.

🧪 Study Overview

• Purpose: Evaluate a 4-week nutrition education program for adolescent runners.• Focus: Quality, quantity, and timing of nutrient-rich carbohydrate intake.• Participants: Male and female high school distance runners from two Southern California schools.• Sessions Included:1. Role of carbohydrates in training.2. How much carbohydrate runners need.3. Building performance plates.4. Nutrient timing for performance and recovery.

📊 Key Findings

• Increased Knowledge: Significant gains in nutrition knowledge after the first two sessions.• Improved Self-Efficacy: Confidence in applying nutrition strategies increased across all four sessions.• Behavioral Changes: Athletes reported real-life changes like enhancing meals with more carbs (e.g., adding bananas to yogurt).• Engagement: High schoolers responded well to interactive, hands-on learning with food models and take-home activities.

🧠 Concept Highlight:Energy Availability

• Defined as the energy left for normal body functions after accounting for exercise.• Critical for bone health, hormonal balance, and injury prevention.• Carbohydrates were identified as the most commonly lacking macronutrient in adolescent runners.

🏃‍♂️ Coach’sPerspective

• Coach Jefferson found the term “energy availability” more relatable than “nutrition.”• Plans to integrate findings into team meetings and weekly updates.• Sees value in simple, actionable changes like post-practice snacks during cool-downs.

🚧 Barriers toImplementation

• Time constraints for athletes (school, jobs, family responsibilities).• Coaches’ varying comfort levels with nutrition education.• Limited access to sports dietitians in some regions.

💡 Recommendations

• Coaches can start small: provide snacks post-practice, reinforce nutrition messages.• Include parents in education efforts to support athletes at home.• Use resources from:• American Sports and Performance Dietitian Association• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Sports Nutrition Practice Group)

🧾 Final Takeaways

• Nutrition education can be impactful even in short interventions.• Building self-efficacy is key to long-term behavior change.• Coaches play a vital role in reinforcing healthy habits.• Collaboration between researchers, coaches, and parents enhances success.

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