Work

A review of educational interventions and behavior change tools to improve nutritional knowledge in team sport athletes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The influences on dietary behavior of team sport athletes (TSAs) are multifaceted, although it is clear that nutritional knowledge (NK) plays a key influential role. Throughout the current literature, TSAs repeatedly demonstrate suboptimal NK; this is consistent across sex, age, and level of participation, highlighting the need for effective educational interventions (EIs). Traditional approaches to nutrition education are often limited by accessibility, time, and cost, whereas technology-based approaches that incorporate microlearning potentially offer greater flexibility and scalability. A technology-based approach such as short-form video content may overcome many of the barriers associated with traditional in-person EIs. Despite existing research in nutritional EIs and behavior change tools, an evidence gap remains concerning the long-term impact of multimodal educational approaches within TSA populations. An EI framed upon the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior model of behavior change, incorporating microlearning strategies through modern technology, may provide an effective means for designing an effective intervention to enhance NK in TSAs.

Source: Nutrition

DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2026.113268

Authors: Christopher V. McDonald, Emeir M. McSorley, Andrea M. McNeilly, Pamela J. Magee

Institutions: University of Ulster, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry Campus

Language: English

Topic: Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,870