UNIVERSITY OF BENIN’S COACHES KNOWLEDGE OF SPORTS NUTRITION IN SPORTS COACHING

ABSTRACT

This study examines the University of Benin’s Coaches knowledge of Sports Nutrition in Sports Coaching as Predictor for Achieving Top Performance Athletes. The population of the study was made up of Two hundred and Sixty athletes and coaches in the University of Benin. A sample size of Two hundred (200) respondents consisting of coaches and athletes of the University of Benin involved in either football, handball or track and field events, with an experience in sports between 1-5 years, 6-9 years, and 10 years and above, within the faculties of Engineering, Life Science, Education and Law was used. The instrument for the study was a self-developed questionnaire titled “University of Benin’s Coaches knowledge of Sports Nutrition in Sports Coaching as Predictor for Achieving Top Performance Athletes”. The instrument was validated by the supervisor of the researcher as well as two experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science, Faculty of Education, University of Benin. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to analyze the data gotten from the instrument. It was concluded that nutrition is essential for athletes participating in physical activity, sport and exercise for health, and that coach’s knowledge on sports nutrition has an influence in achieving top performance athletes.