Sports nutrition is an important aspect of any athlete’s training and performance. With the 2014 NCAA policy change in regards to providing student-athletes snacks and meals, many organizations have providing resources and services to meet this need. These facilities help provide the macronutrients and encourage proper nutrient timing to help student-athletes enhance their performance and fuel their recovery. However, there is little to no research done on the effectiveness or impact these programs have had on student-athletes and their training and performance.
The aim of this study was to determine the average amount of points being spent by student-athletes per week, to determine the most popular items purchased before and after exercise, and to determine if student-athletes were using the fueling station to replace traditional meals. Data on the amount of points spent by student-athletes over the course of 14 weeks was collected from the Fueling Stations data base. Subjects participated in a short survey asked questions regarding student-athlete purchasing habits, the amount of points they spend per week, items they purchase typically, and if they used the fueling station to replace traditional meals and why.
Data from the Fueling Station consisted of 256 student-athletes and 90 of 115 that completed the survey were included in the analysis. 25 survey participants were excluded because they were injured or held redshirt status. Results found that on average student-athletes did not spend their total allotted 40 points per week. The most popular items purchased before exercise were Uncrustables®, bananas, and Chewy Bars. While the most popular items purchased after practice were Uncrustables®, Greek yogurt, and chocolate milk. The data showed that over one half of the student-athletes surveyed used the Fueling Station to replace traditional meals, mainly breakfast and lunch.
These results suggest that student-athletes have an adequate amount of points to purchase whatever items they need before and after exercise. Student-athletes do use the Fueling Station to replace traditional meals and that the most popular items purchased before and after exercise fall in trend with ACSM recommendations. Further research is warranted to assess the impact in other Division I organizations
