Elite Endurance Athletes' Perceptions of the Value of Nutrition.

Nutrition for endurance athletes is imperative due to high-energy needs for training and competition. Utilizing a registered dietitian (RD) is important to support these needs, however, there has been limited research on the value endurance athletes place on nutritional guidance. There seems to be an indication that knowledge about nutrition in endurance sport is lacking amongst athletes. This study aimed to build upon the research pertaining to the nutritional habits among elite endurance athletes, while also examining the perceived importance of an RD. Two primary themes were prevalent: (a) individual nutritional practices and (b) reluctance to seek professional guidance. Despite acknowledging the importance of nutrition, many participants demonstrated reluctance toward seeking guidance from an RD. Education must continue to deepen the understanding of the diverse roles of an RD within an interprofessional care team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]