Nutrition knowledge levels of basketball players: A systematic analysis of studies conducted in Turkey

Abstract

This study systematically reviewed academic research conducted from 2011 to 2021 on the "Nutritional Knowledge Levels of Basketball Players." The scope of the study included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies related to "Basketball and Nutrition" in the national literature. Inclusion criteria were established, and the terms "Nutrition" and "Basketball" were independently and jointly searched on relevant websites such as YÖK Thesis, Dergi Park, and Google Scholar. Ten articles were selected for the study, nine of which were Master's theses, and one was an article. The review's findings suggest that basketball players' nutritional knowledge levels are generally inadequate, particularly among adolescents, with potential adverse effects on athletes' performance and health, as researchers point out. Furthermore, it is important to consider individual nutritional requirements and for clubs to work with dietitians to develop customized nutrition plans for athletes. This study enhances the understanding of nutritional knowledge gaps among basketball players and emphasizes the necessity for increased education and awareness in this area. It is necessary to increase efforts to improve the nutrition of athletes, as this can lead to better performance and overall health maintenance.