Powerlifters, Bodybuilders Show Adequate Sports Nutrition Knowledge
A new study indicates that powerlifters, bodybuilders, and recreational gym-goers possess an "average" to "good" understanding of sports nutrition, with dietary habits largely aligning with evidence-based recommendations.
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A recent preprint published on SportRxiv.org reveals that individuals engaged in resistance training—specifically powerlifters, bodybuilders, and recreational gym-goers—generally possess an adequate level of sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) and apply evidence-based principles to their dietary habits Source.
Assessing Nutrition Knowledge Across Groups
The study investigated the SNK of 26 bodybuilders, 36 powerlifters, and 207 recreational gym-goers using the abridged nutrition for sports knowledge questionnaire (A-NSKQ), which includes 35 questions. The findings indicated that all three groups scored "average," ranging from 50-65% correct answers. There was no statistically significant difference in SNK levels between the groups.
However, the research noted that personal trainers and participants with formal nutritional education achieved a "good" SNK score, between 66-75%. This highlights the impact of specialized training on nutritional understanding.
Dietary Habits Align with Best Practices
Beyond knowledge, the study also collected detailed information on dietary habits through a 54-question survey. This included data on macronutrient intake, tracking methods, meal timing, supplement use, and strategies like diet breaks, refeeds, and free days.
All three groups were found to follow current macronutrient guidelines for optimal daily intake relevant to hypertrophy (muscle growth) and strength. A significant percentage of participants paid attention to their peri-workout nutrition (nutrition before, during, and after training), meal timing, and fruit and vegetable intake.
Evidence-Based Supplementation and Recovery Strategies
Participants frequently utilized diet breaks, refeeds, and free days. The rationales provided for these dietary approaches, as well as for their supplement use, were largely considered evidence-based. Bodybuilders showed a slightly stricter adherence to their nutritional plans compared to powerlifters and recreational gym-goers.
Interestingly, the study identified a significant difference in supplement utilization among bodybuilders compared to the other groups, suggesting a more pronounced focus on supplementation within the bodybuilding community. This could be a consideration for businesses targeting specific niches within the resistance-training market.
Implications for the Nutrition Industry
The overall conclusion is that these athletes and active individuals demonstrate sufficient SNK and apply sound nutritional practices. This challenges previous notions that some resistance-trained populations might rely on outdated dietary habits. The findings suggest a generally well-informed consumer base that prioritizes nutrition for performance and recovery.
For businesses in the sports nutrition sector, this research indicates that educational campaigns should focus on refining existing knowledge or addressing specific nuances rather than basic principles. Products and services that support adherence to evidence-based practices, such as advanced tracking tools or scientifically formulated supplements with clear rationales, are likely to resonate with this demographic. Furthermore, the stricter approach seen in bodybuilders might signal an opportunity for premium or highly specialized offerings tailored to their competitive needs.
Key takeaways
- 01Powerlifters, bodybuilders, and gym-goers demonstrate "average" sports nutrition knowledge, with no significant difference between these groups.
- 02Individuals with a background as personal trainers or formal nutrition education scored higher, indicating the value of specialized expertise.
- 03Dietary practices, including macronutrient intake, meal timing, and peri-workout nutrition, generally align with current evidence-based guidelines.
- 04Supplement use, diet breaks, and refeed strategies are common, and their rationales are largely considered evidence-based.
- 05Bodybuilders exhibit slightly stricter nutritional adherence, suggesting a potential market for highly tailored solutions within this segment.
Frequently asked
How knowledgeable are resistance-trained individuals about sports nutrition?+
The study found that powerlifters, bodybuilders, and recreational gym-goers have an "average" level of sports nutrition knowledge, scoring between 50-65% on a questionnaire. Those with professional nutrition education or who are personal trainers scored "good," at 66-75%.
Do the dietary habits of these groups align with scientific recommendations?+
Yes, the dietary habits of all three groups, including macronutrient intake, peri-workout nutrition, and the use of strategies like diet breaks and refeeds, were largely consistent with current evidence-based guidelines for hypertrophy and strength.
Are there differences in nutritional approaches between bodybuilders, powerlifters, and casual gym-goers?+
While their overall nutrition knowledge and many dietary habits were similar, bodybuilders were noted to be slightly "stricter" with their nutritional approaches and showed a significantly different pattern of supplement utilization compared to powerlifters and recreational gym-goers.
What do these findings mean for companies in the sports nutrition market?+
These findings suggest a well-informed consumer base that values evidence-based nutrition. Businesses can focus on developing products and services that cater to existing knowledge and adherence, perhaps offering more advanced or specialized solutions, particularly for the bodybuilding segment.
Sources
Every briefing is drafted from primary sources — official announcements, vendor blogs, and reputable industry reporting — then edited by our pipeline.
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