Assessment of Nutritional Knowledge of Lebanese Coaches: A Unique Study in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)region. Ali Salami,Lara Chamseddine,and Wissam H Joumaa

Trainers provide nutritional information to their athletes; yet, their skills in this field remain weak. No related research has been conducted so far in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)region.

In this cross-sectional study, one hundred Fifty-one trainers working with adolescent athletes completed a validated psychometric questionnairethat identifies their practices of disseminating nutritional advice to athletes, their degree of nutritional knowledge, and the factors identifying their knowledge degree.

A considerable number of trainers gave advice to their athletes (82.8%). The trainers answered correctly 51.1% of knowledge questions. According to a t-test results, the trainers who provided nutrition advices have scored 54.5%, significantly higher than trainers who did not provide advice, 47.7% (P = 0.002). A one-way ANOVA revealed a significant relationship between the score of the total knowledge of all trainers and qualifications (P = 0.001), own knowledge rating (P = 0.001), and nutrition training (P = 0.002).

These trainers were not ready to give advices to athletes and they should undergo additional nutrition training.