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Exercise Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Leveraging Church Environments to Promote Rural Physical Activity and Healthy Eating , Kelsey Rothera Day

The Role of Environmental Context in Supporting Children’s 24- Hour Movement Behaviors; A Positive Deviance Perspective , Roddrick Dugger

Effects of Caffeine on Measures of Clinical Outcome and Recovery Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Adolescents , Jacob Michael Eade

Sleep, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time in the First Year Postpartum , Erin Elizabeth Kishman

Mechanisms of Social Stress Susceptibility and Resilience in Female Rats , Brittany Sara Pate

Predictors of Driving Performance Post-Stroke , Halle Elise Prine

A Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Double-Blind, Crossover Study to Evaluate the Effects of Two Novel Hydration Beverage Formulas on Rehydration in Healthy Adults , Nathaniel David Rhoades

Effect of Action Selection Demands on the Execution of Goal-Directed Reaches , James Garrison Riedy

An Examination of Inter-Limb Functional Asymmetry After a Fatiguing Bout of Exercise in High Level Soccer Players , Nestor Urrea

Causes and Consequences of the Risk of Generalizability Biases in Health Behavioral Interventions , Lauren von Klinggraeff

Exercise and Mental Health Over the Course of a Semester , Jamie Alexis Whitney

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Molecular Architecture of Cardiometabolic Responses to Regular Exercise , Jacob L. Barber

Relationships Among Sleep, Physical Activity, and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents , Agnes Bucko

Self Reported Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women Veterans , Seth Byland

Sports Nutrition- and Strength and Conditioning-based Interventions to Bolster Health and Human Performance in Male and Female Tactical Personnel , Harry Paul Cintineo

Psychophysiological Biomarkers of Concussion Recovery , Adam Todd Harrison

The Effects of Exercise Training on Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in the HERITAGE Family Study , Joshua Adam Hawkins

Physical Activity and Stress Between American Students and Asian International Students at the University of South Carolina , Hao Lei

Effects of Positive Social Comparative Feedback During Practice on Motor Sequence Learning, Performance Expectancies, and Resting State Connectivity , Allison Foster Lewis

Using a Multi-Direction Reaching Approach to Investigate Fitts’ Law and the Effect of Attentional Focus on Motor Learning , Charles R. Smith

Impact of a Novel Marine Algae Supplement on Inflammatory and Immune Response After High-Intensity Exercise , Caroline Sara Vincenty

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Clinical Determinants of VO 2 max Response to Endurance Training: HERITAGE Family Study , Emanuel Ayala

The Influence of ADHD on Concussion in NCAA College Athletes , Brett Steven Gunn

The Relationship of Structured Environments With Children’s Body Composition and Obesogenic Behaviors , Ethan T. Hunt

Racial Disparities in Gestational Weight Gain, Body Mass Index, And Physical Activity During Pregnancy and After Delivery , Marcey Acacia Jiles

Strengthening the Evidence-Base of Youth Nutrition Programs: A Three Part Approach , Rebecca Kyryliuk

Multiple Processes Predict Motor Learning and Impairments After a Stroke , Christopher Michael Perry

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior During and After Pregnancy and Postpartum Weight Retention , Kaitlyn Taylor Ramey

The Influence of Sport Participation on Physical Activity in Youth , Emily R. Shull

Examination of Energy Needs and Female Athlete Triad Components in Competitive Cheerleaders , Allison Smith

Performance of the Wrist-worn Actigraph GT3X + in Measuring Physical Activity in Older Women , Michal Talley Smith

Effects of Basketball Exercise Simulation Test (BEST) On Landing Mechanics in Active Females , Madison Treece

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Association of Exercise Training Modalities with Circulating Branched Chain Amino Acid and Ketone Body levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes , Ryan Andrew Flynn

Examination of Daily Steps in People With Parkinson’s Disease & Stroke: Two Steps Forward , Reed Handlery

Examination of Emergency Medical Services Activations for Sport- Related Injuries , Rebecca Marie Hirschhorn

Sex-Based Differences in Concussion Outcomes Among Adolescents and Young Adults , Jacob James Michael Kay

Piloting a Smartphone-Based Sedentary Behavior Reduction Intervention for Adults With Overweight or Obesity: Take a STAND 4 Health , Chelsea Larsen

Integrating Survivors of Stroke Into Cardiac Rehabilitation , Elizabeth Wherley Regan

Lipoprotein Discordance: Associations With Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Response to Exercise , Jonathan Joseph Pulama Kupaianaha Ruiz-Ramie

Characterizing Patterns of Adherence to Physical Activity Goals in Behavioral Weight Control , Melissa Lee Stansbury

Mental Health Prevalence and Biofeedback Intervention for Student- Athletes , Samantha Rose Weber

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Leveraging For-Cause Physical Activity Events for Physical Activity Promotion: An Investigation Using Self-Determination Theory , John A. Bernhart

Effect of TRB3 on Skeletal Muscle Mass Regulation and Exercise-Induced Adaptation , Ran Hee Choi

The Role of AMPK in the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Proteostasis During Cancer Cachexia , Dennis K. Fix

Identification of Factors Contributing to Musculoskeletal Injuries in Military Basic Trainees , Amy Fraley Hand

Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Brain Activation in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain , Max K. Jordon

The Effect of Patient Financial Liability on Physical Therapy Utilization and Patient Reported Outcomes for Patients With Low Back Pain: An Instrumental Variable Analysis , Adam D. Lutz

Physical Activity of Preschoolers with Developmental Disabilities and Delays , Michaela A. Schenkelberg

Reproducibility and The Effects of Exercise on The Endurance Index , Michael Dean Smith, JR.

Differential Cholinergic Modulation of Prelimbic and Thalamic Input to the Basolateral Amygdala , Sarah Catherine Tryon

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiovascular-related Circulating MicroRNAs , Jacob Luther Barber

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Environment and Its Influence on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity in Youth , Morgan N. Clennin

Calibration of an Accelerometer for Measurement of Very Light Intensity Physical Activity in Children , Joseph S. Gorab

The Effects Of Exercise Mode And Intensity On Energy Expenditure During And After Exercise In Resistance Trained Males , George Lewis Grieve

Enhancing Dancing: Examining The Potency Of A Combined Action Observation And Brain Stimulation Intervention , Melissa B. Kolar

The Effects Of Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors On Lipoprotein Particle Concentration And Size , Ryan R. Porter

Cortical Damage and Disconnection Contribute to Post-Stroke Sensorimotor Impairment , Shafagh Yazdani

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Patterns Of Participation And Performance In Youth Baseball Players , Amanda Arnold

The Effect of Energy-Matched Exercise Intensity on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Motor Learning , Jessica F. Baird

The Role of Exercise Dose on Ghrelin Concentration in Postmenopausal Women , Kimberly Bowyer

Children’s Obesogenic Behaviors During Summer Versus School , Keith Brazendale

The Effects of a Game Simulation on Muscle Activation and Knee Kinematics in Females , Geoffrey Collins

The Regulation of Glycoprotein130 Dependent Inflammatory Cytokines one Basal and Mechanical Stimuli Induced Protein Synthesis in Myotubes and Skeletal Muscles , Song Gao

Muscle Inflammatory Signaling Regulates Eccentric Contraction-Induced Protein Synthesis during Cancer Cachexia , Justin Perry Hardee

The Addition Of A Concurrent Bimanual Task Influences Postural Sway And Walking Speed Performance And Prioritization Across All Ages , Derek Matthew Liuzzo

Maternal Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness During Pregnancy and its Relation to Infant Size , Samantha M. McDonald

Identifying Associations between Religious Commitment and Preventive Health Behaviors in a Southeastern Rural County , Nathan A. Peters

The Association Of Changes In Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Changes In Cardiometabolic Risk Factors , Leanna Marie Ross

The Nutrition Assistance Landscape in Afterschool Programs: Understanding the Gap between Research, Policy, and Practice , Falon Elizabet Tilley

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Effects Of Exercise On Sleep Parameters Among Older Women , Charity B. Breneman

Exploring Children’s Physical Activity Levels Through Structure and Measurement , Jessica L. Chandler

Comparison of the Effects of Energy Flux on Metabolic Conditions and Satiety in Young Adults , Molly Madison DeMello

Role Of Altered Gut Microbiota In Tumor Development, Mucus Production And Inflammation In APC MIN/+ Mouse Model , Kamaljeet Kaur

Exploratory Analysis Of PTSD Severity And Objective Measures Of Physical Activity Among Combat Veterans , Danny O. Sauceda

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Environmental and Policy Assessment – Measurement Issues and Implications , Rahma Jamea Yousef Ajja

Metabotropic Receptor Modulation of Kainate Receptors in the Hippocampus , C'iana Patrice Cooper

The Recovery of Gut Barrier Function With Selenium Rich Diet in Acute DSS-Induced Colitis , Sarah Depaepe

The Role of Ovarian Function in the Progression of Cachexia in the APC MIN/+ Mouse , Kimbell Louise Hetzler

Factors Influencing Level of Implementation of Physical Activity Interventions in Youth-Serving Organizations , Yuen Yan Lau

Correlations Between White Matter Integrity, Structural Connectivity, And Upper and Lower Extremity Motor Function in Individuals With Chronic Stroke , Denise M. Peters

Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Body Fatness Effect on Submaximal Systolic Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Prognosis among Young Adults , Vivek Kumar Prasad

Adiponectin and Selenium Rich Diet can act as a Complimentary Medicine in the Treatment of Intestinal and Chronic Inflammation Induced Colon Cancer , Arpit Saxena

Novel Drug 2-benzoyl-3-phenyl 6,7-dichloroquinoxaline 1,4-dioxide Induces Colon Cancer Cell Apoptosis Through HIF-1α Pathway , Alexander-Jacques Theodore Sougiannis

Patterns of Sedentary Behavior and Association with Health Risks Among African American Adults , Tatiana Y. Warren-Jones

Patient and Provider Perceptions of Weight Gain, Physical Activity, and Nutrition in Pregnancy , Kara M. Whitaker

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

The Effects of Exercise Training on Cognitive Reserve and Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Women , Katie Marie Becofsky

The Effects of Arthritis Foundation’s “Walk With Ease” Program on Cognitive Function , Ryan S. Falck

Weight-Gain and Energy Balance , Benjamin Thomas Gordon

ROLE OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION ON LIVER FUNCTION DURING CACHEXIA PROGRESSION IN THE APC MIN/+ MOUSE MODEL , Aditi Narsale

Longitudinal Evaluations of Objectively Measured Physical Activity: Capturing the Full Spectrum of Duration and Intensity , Amanda E. Paluch

The Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Mitochondrial Biogenesis by gp130/STAT3 Signaling during Cancer Cachexia , Melissa Puppa

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Mechanisms of Posterior Shoulder Tightness and Effectiveness of Manual Therapy , Lane Brooks Bailey

Optimal Cooperation In Joint Action Tasks , Scott Michael Blanchette

Measuring Organizational Member Involvement In Physical Activity Coalitions Across the United States , Daniel Benjamin Bornstein

Outsmarting the Brain: Augmenting Motor Training with Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Order to Facilitate Plasticity-Dependent, Functional Improvement within the Motor Cortex , Raymond Joseph Butts

The Association of Physical Fitness With Psychological Health Outcomes In Soldiers During Army Basic Combat Training , Shannon K. Crowley

An Investigation into the Influence of Dietary Saturated Fat and Quercetin Supplementation on Adiposity, Macrophage Behavior, Inflammation, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty-Liver Disease , Reilly Enos

The Effect of Radiation on Myofiber Properties in Mouse Skeletal Muscle , Dennis K. Fix

Exploring the Role of Culture and Race In Stroke Rehabilitation Disparities , Jennifaye Verdina Greene

Classroom Exercise Breaks and Educational Outcomes in Elementary School Students , Erin Kaye Howie

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• Assistant Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
• TUM School of Medicine and Health
• Technical University of Munich

Students have the opportunity to write their Bachelor's or Master's thesis in the field of exercise, nutrition, and health. Theses are possible in the following research areas:

• Impact of exercise on the regulation of food intake
• Energy balance and body composition in different population groups
• Exercise, weight loss, and bone health
• Energy and nutrient requirements of athletes

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Assessment of Sport Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Practices, and Sources of Nutrition Information in NCAA Division III Collegiate Athletes

Dylan j. klein.

1 Department of Health and Exercise Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA

Kaitlyn M. Eck

2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Marywood University, Scranton, PA 18509, USA; ude.doowyram.uyram@kcek

Alan J. Walker

3 Department of Exercise Science, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA 17003, USA; ude.cvl@reklawla

Joseph K. Pellegrino

4 Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 186510, USA; [email protected]

Daniel J. Freidenreich

5 Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA; ude.xalwu@hciernedierfd

Associated Data

De-identified data can be made available upon request.

Nutrition knowledge is a critical component of meeting sport nutrition guidelines. The present study aimed to evaluate the sport nutrition knowledge of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III (DIII) athletes using a validated questionnaire, and to assess the dietary practices and sources of nutrition information in this population. A total of 331 student-athletes ( n = 149 males, n = 181 females, n = 1 no sex indicated) completed the questionnaire. The mean score for total sport nutrition knowledge was 6.49 ± 8.9 (range −49 to 49) with a mean percent (%) correct score of 36.9 ± 19.1%. Athletes who had a previous college-level nutrition course ( n = 62) had significantly higher ( p < 0.05) total sport nutrition, carbohydrate, and hydration knowledge compared to those who did not ( n = 268). Individual sport athletes ( n = 90) scored significantly higher ( p < 0.05) on hydration and micronutrients knowledge than team sport athletes ( n = 237), while females scored higher than males for hydration knowledge ( p < 0.05). The majority of athletes reported sensible dietary habits, such as not frequently skipping meals and eating carbohydrate and protein foods peri-workout. Athletes also reported their primary sources of nutrition information, the top three sources being social media, coaches, and athletic trainers, despite most frequently rating registered dietitians/nutritionists as “extremely knowledgeable”. Despite low sport nutrition knowledge, NCAA DIII collegiate athletes practiced seemingly prudent dietary habits but lacked exposure to high-quality sources of nutrition information.

1. Introduction

A well-chosen diet plan is critical for optimizing sport performance and the promotion of beneficial training adaptations [ 1 ]. Compared to a non-athletic population, athletes require greater amounts of energy, fluids, and macronutrients (i.e., carbohydrate, protein and fat) in order to sustain vigorous training and recovery, and to support physiological functions outside of the energy demands of sport [ 1 , 2 ]. Prolonged failure to meet these demands places an athlete at risk of developing a condition known currently as relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) [ 3 ]. This condition is defined by the intersection of low energy intake normalized to fat-free mass (i.e., low energy availability [LEA]), poor bone mineralization, and impaired reproductive function that, together, can impair performance and health [ 4 , 5 ]. Unfortunately, athletes commonly fail to meet recognized sport nutrition guidelines for energy, fluid, and macronutrients [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], placing them at risk for LEA and RED-S [ 5 ]. Understanding the development and prevention of poor dietary intakes and the accompanying conditions of LEA and RED-S has become the focus of much research in recent years [ 9 , 10 ]. While the causative factors for failing to meet recognized sport nutrition guidelines are likely multifactorial (e.g., taste, convenience, and access to resources [ 11 ]), one postulated reason for the mismatch between the requisite energy demands of sport and actual dietary intakes in athletes is poor sport nutrition knowledge.

Sport nutrition knowledge can be defined as the understanding of the nutrition-related factors that can affect training, athletic performance, and recovery from sport. This knowledge goes beyond general nutrition knowledge that may only focus on food groups, sources of nutrients, and overall general health requirements that fail to acknowledge the special needs of high-performing athletes. Having a sound understanding of sport nutrition can allow the athlete to best complement the demands of their training and optimally promote performance and recovery. Research suggests that higher nutrition knowledge is correlated with better diet quality [ 12 , 13 ] and interventions aimed at improving nutrition knowledge in athletes leads to better dietary intakes [ 14 , 15 ]. Together, this suggests that knowledge is a critical component in addressing optimal nutrition in athletes.

In recent years, a number of studies have been conducted assessing the level of nutrition knowledge in a wide range of athletes [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. While some studies suggest that athletes may have sufficient nutrition knowledge [ 19 , 20 , 21 ], others suggest that the nutrition knowledge is inadequate [ 18 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], particularly in collegiate athletes [ 16 , 18 , 23 ]. In this population, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) athletes have been the primary subjects of interest, with little attention being paid to Division IIII (DIII) athletes that constitute the largest proportion of participating NCAA institutions (approximately 40% of total athletes). While DI athletes have been shown to exhibit poor nutrition knowledge [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], many DI institutions have vast resources dedicated to some form of nutritional support (e.g., dietitians, training tables, and yearly stipends that offset living costs). This, it can be argued, may minimize the potentially negative impacts of poor nutrition knowledge, given that access to dietitians and prudent nutritional choices are more readily available to these athletes. To the contrary, DIII institutions have very little resources devoted to their athletes, thus placing greater demands on the athletes to seek out useful information and to make well-informed decisions about nutrition. As such, nutrition knowledge is likely to be critical in these athletes who lack adequate resources and may be exposed to a variety of conflicting and potentially ill-informed sources of information.

To date, very few studies have exclusively assessed the sport nutrition knowledge of DIII collegiate athletes, their dietary habits, and sources of nutrition information. In order to address this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to evaluate the sport nutrition knowledge of NCAA DIII male and female collegiate athletes using an appropriately validated sport nutrition knowledge questionnaire. We also aimed to assess the dietary practices and sources of nutrition information in this population.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. subjects.

The Rowan University Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved this study, and all student-athletes voluntarily agreed to participate prior to taking the digitally provided, anonymous, online survey. Subjects had the right to exit the survey at any time. All participants ( n = 149 males, n = 181 females; n = 1 no sex indicated) were 18 years or older and were recruited from five NCAA DIII universities that span the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Complete subject demographic information is located in Table 1 . To include as many participants as possible, a recruitment letter was used and each investigator cooperated with their respective athletics department director(s) and/or directly with coaches/teams to encourage their athletes to participate (approximately 2497 potential student-athlete respondents). In some instances, encouragement to participate was spread via word of mouth. Student-athletes did not receive incentives for participation. Recruitment took place between October and December 2020.

Athlete characteristics.

Data presented as means ± SD.

2.2. Assessment of Sport Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Habits

The dietary habits and sport nutrition knowledge survey that participants completed was 85 questions in length. The sport nutrition knowledge component consisted of a validated, 49-item questionnaire [ 26 ], broken into six sections (carbohydrate (11 questions), protein (9 questions), fat (7 questions), hydration (7 questions), micronutrients (7 questions), and weight management (8 questions)), all of which were explicitly related to sport nutrition. In addition to this assessment, the athletes also completed an additional 36 questions pertaining to demographic information (11 questions), dietary habits (18 questions), and sources of nutrition information (7 questions). The dietary habits and sources of nutrition information questions were not validated. The survey was administered online via Qualtrics software (Provo, UT, USA) and taken at the athletes’ leisure.

The 49-item sport nutrition knowledge instrument used in this study was developed by Karpinksi et al. [ 26 ]. This instrument (Cronbach α 0.843; test-retest r = 0.951, p < 0.001) was validated in adult athletes, a majority (61.9%) of whom were collegiate athletes spanning NCAA DI, II, and III schools. Additionally, the questionnaire was developed based on the most recent 2016 Joint Position Statement from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), and Dietitians of Canada (DC) on Nutrition and Athletic Performance [ 1 ] as well as other published sport nutrition recommendations and standards [ 27 , 28 ]. Given these factors, we believed it to be the most appropriate questionnaire at the time of assessment.

2.3. Scoring

Scoring of the sport nutrition knowledge instrument was done as outlined by Karpinski et al. [ 26 ]. Participants received +1 point for each correct answer, −1 point for each incorrect answer, and +0 points for “Don’t know”. In instances where more than one response was indicated, the response was coded as “Don’t know” and a score of +0 was given. As such, the possible range of scores ranged from −49 to 49. Individual section scores (i.e., carbohydrate, protein, fat, hydration, micronutrients, and weight management) were also calculated within each of the six sections. Additionally, to obtain how many questions were answered correctly, a “% correct” score was calculated by dividing the total number of correct responses by the total number of questions. This was done for the entire survey as well as each individual section.

2.4. Statistical Analyses

Participant characteristics, dietary habits, and sources of nutrition knowledge are presented using descriptive statistics. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS software version 28.0 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). Student’s t -test was used to compare differences in nutrition knowledge scores between sexes, those having had a college-level nutrition course or not, and between individual and team sport athletes. An individual sport athlete was anyone who reported competing in the following sports: golf, track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, gymnastics, and tennis. All other reported sports were considered team sports (i.e., baseball, softball, basketball, ice hockey, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, and football). Significance was set at alpha < 0.05. Knowledge data are presented as means ± standard deviations (SD).

3.1. Participants

There were approximately 2497 student-athletes that were contacted as part of the study. A total of 489 athletes initiated the survey (19.5%), and 331 ultimately completed it (13.2%). Athletes’ physical characteristics are located in Table 1 . Athletes from 10 different sports were represented by the male respondents, and a total of 12 different sports were represented by the female respondents. A full breakdown of the sports represented, by sex, can be located in the Supplementary Materials (Table S1) . Of the 331 total respondents, 42 individuals had previously been counseled by a dietitian or nutritionist (66.7% female) and 62 individuals had taken a college-level nutrition course (66.1% female). Of the participants who reported their declared major ( n = 331), only four respondents declared nutrition and/or dietetics as their college major (100% female). A total of 57 female and 33 male respondents declared a major in another health- or exercise-related field (e.g., exercise science, athletic training, nursing, physical therapy, and kinesiology).

3.2. Total Sample Analyses

Sport nutrition knowledge scores for the entire 49-item survey ranged from −38 to 49, with the mean score being 6.4 ± 8.9. Ranges and mean scores for the individual sections were also calculated, and a detailed summary is located in Table 2 .

Athlete sport nutrition knowledge scores.

Data are presented as means ± SD. Scoring based on instructions outlined by Karpinski et al. [ 26 ]; +1 for correct, −1 for incorrect, +0 for “Don’t know”; score range: −49 to 49. † n = 330, one athlete did not indicate their sex. †† n = 330, one athlete did not indicate whether they had taken a nutrition course or not. ††† n = 327, four athletes participated in both sports types. a p < 0.02, significantly different than males based on Student’s t -test. b p < 0.05, significantly different than athletes who have taken a nutrition course based on Student’s t -test. c p < 0.05, significantly different than team sport athletes based on Student’s t -test.

In order to determine the number of questions answered correctly without the negative influence of incorrect responses, we also calculated the correct score percentage for the entire survey. For the entire sample, this amounted to a mean score of 36.9 ± 19.1%.

3.3. Sex Differences

Differences between scores by sex are located in Table 2 . There were no significant sex differences ( p > 0.05) between males and females for total sport nutrition knowledge, carbohydrate, protein, fat, or weight management categories. There was, however, a significant difference ( p = 0.016) between males and females for hydration knowledge, with females scoring higher than males (1.4 ± 1.8 vs. 0.9 ± 2.0, respectively). There was no significant sex difference for the percentage of correct scores for the entire survey (35.8 ± 20% for males vs. 37.8 ± 18.4% for females; p = 0.340) or for any individual section ( p > 0.05).

3.4. Previous Nutrition Course Differences

Differences in sport nutrition knowledge between athletes who had taken a college-level nutrition course and those who had not are located in Table 2 . There were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) in scores between those who had a nutrition course and those who did not for total sport nutrition knowledge, fat, hydration, micronutrients, and weight management categories. There were, however, significant differences for carbohydrate ( p = 0.035) and protein ( p = 0.025) knowledge scores, with those having taken a nutrition course showing a higher and lower score for carbohydrate and protein knowledge, respectively. When analyzed by “% correct”, those who had a previous college-level nutrition course had statistically significantly higher scores for total nutrition knowledge (41.8 ± 18.8% vs. 35.8 ± 19.1%, p = 0.024), carbohydrate knowledge (51.9 ± 21.6% vs. 40.4 ± 20.2%, p = 0.0001), and hydration knowledge (42.9 ± 26.1% vs. 35.3 ± 25.7%, p = 0.034).

3.5. Team vs. Individual Sport Differences

Differences in sport nutrition knowledge between team and individual sport athletes are located in Table 2 . The only significant difference ( p = 0.037) in scores between the groups was for hydration knowledge, with individual sport athletes scoring higher than team sport athletes (1.5 ± 2.1 vs. 1.0 ± 1.8, respectively). There were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) between the groups for total sport nutrition knowledge, carbohydrate, protein, fat, micronutrient, and weight management categories. There were significant differences for the percentage of correct scores between individual and team sport athletes for hydration knowledge (41.9 ± 26% vs. 34.4 ± 25.4%, p = 0.019) and micronutrient knowledge (40.1 ± 27.1% vs. 31.4 ± 24.6%, p = 0.006).

3.6. General Dietary Habits

As part of the survey, we also asked athletes about their general dietary habits. Less than half of male (45.6%) and female (41.0%) athletes reported eating breakfast every day. Male athletes were more likely to eat their lunch and dinner meals in the cafeteria, whereas female athletes generally had an even distribution between self-prepared meals and meals from the cafeteria ( Table 3 ). The majority of male and female athletes reported eating three meals per day (61.7% vs. 60.7%, respectively), whereas a higher percentage of male athletes reported eating greater than four meals per day compared to female athletes (14.8% vs. 2.2%, respectively; Table 3 ). The majority of both sexes reported not frequently skipping meals (78.5% males, 65.2% females; Table 3 ) and for those that did skip meals, the highest reported reason for skipping meals was schedule/time constraints (31.5% males vs. 28.9% females; Table 3 ). Snacking frequency between the sexes did not exhibit many differences; however, male athletes reported lower consumption of fruit and vegetable snacks and higher consumption of protein bars/shakes compared to female athletes (12.1% vs. 24.9% and 33.6% vs. 13.8%, respectively; Table 3 ).

General dietary habits of athletes.

Data are presented as percentage of responses (%). * n = 143 males, n = 173 females.

3.7. Sport-Related Dietary Habits

With regard to sport-related dietary habits, the majority of both sexes reported drinking water during workouts and/or practices (95.3% males and 96.7% females; Table 4 ). Similarly, the majority of both sexes reported eating within one hour of workouts and/or practices (67.1% males vs. 58.9% females) and within one-to-two hours post-workouts and/or practices (49.7% males vs. 59.4% females; Table 4 ). When asked to select which food types they typically consume before and after workouts/practices, both sexes reported consuming mostly carbohydrate, protein, and fruit and vegetable foods. A detailed summary of the foods typically consumed before and after workouts/practices can be found in Figure 1 .

Pre- and post-workout food choices of athletes. Athletes were asked to select all foods they typically consume before and following workouts/practices. Data are presented as percentage of all responses cast among all options (listed in the figure). ( A ): n = 361 total responses; ( B ): n = 466 total responses; ( C ): n = 292 total responses; ( D ): n = 351 total responses.

Sport-related dietary habits of athletes.

Data are presented as percentage of responses (%). * n = 148 males. ** n = 180 females.

3.8. Motivations for Dietary Habits and Supplement Use

A detailed summary of the motivations for dietary habits and supplement use can be found in Table 5 . A breakdown of the types of supplements typically consumed by the athletes can be found in Supplementary Figure S1 . The supplement categories that received the most responses from females were a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement (37.7%), protein supplements (25.3%), and pre-workout with caffeine (9.3%). The supplement categories that received the most responses from males were protein supplements (31.4%), followed by “I do not take supplements regularly” (16.4%) and multi-vitamin/mineral (14.3%).

Motivations for dietary habits and supplementation use.

Data are presented as percentage of responses (%). * n = 142 females.

3.9. Sources of Nutrition Information

Subjects were asked to rank order their top three sources of nutrition information ( n = 925 total responses). The category that most athletes ranked in their top three sources of nutrition information was Social Media (20.2%), followed by Coaches (16.8%), Athletic Trainers (15.5%), Physician (12.9%), Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (8.5%), Professor (6.6%), Other (5.9%), Academic Journals (5.5%), Not Applicable—I have never sought out nutrition information (4.9%), and Popular Magazines (3.2%). When asked to rank order the top three persons they “feel most comfortable discussing their nutrition needs with” ( n = 910 total responses), athletes chose Athletic Trainer (30%), followed by Coach (22.2%), Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (22.2%), Physician (20.3%), Other (4.9%), Professor (4.3%), and Not Applicable—I have never sought nutrition information (3.1%).

Athletes were asked to rate the adequacy of nutrition knowledge of Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists, and Physicians. Of the professionals, Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists received the highest adequacy ratings, followed by Physicians, Athletic Trainers, and Coaches ( Table 6 ).

Athletes’ perception of nutrition knowledge of coaches, athletic trainers, dietitians/nutritionists, and physicians.

Data are presented as percentage of responses (%). * n = 180 females.

4. Discussion

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest nutritional knowledge assessment of NCAA DIII student-athletes using an appropriate, validated, sport nutrition knowledge questionnaire. We found that male and female NCAA DIII student-athletes, from multiple institutions, spanning a variety of sporting disciplines exemplified low sport nutrition knowledge, placing them at risk for poor dietary intakes that could negatively affect training, recovery, and performance. This was shown in the mean score for the total survey being 6.39 (range of −38 to 49) and a correct score percentage between approximately 35% and 40% regardless of sex, having had taken college-level nutrition course, or participation in a team or an individual sporting discipline. While it is difficult to compare across similar studies due to the high heterogeneity in assessment tools and athlete populations, our study showed a percentage of correct scores below the typical 45–65% range reported in the literature [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. In a direct comparison to the only other study that utilized this assessment tool, the developers of the survey found a mean score of 15.9 and a correct score percentage of 55.4% in their population of adult athletes, a majority of whom (61.9%) were collegiate athletes and female (70.8%) [ 26 ]. Regardless, based on the previously reported cutoff of 75% for exhibiting “adequate” or “excellent” knowledge [ 22 , 25 , 29 ], our results are in line with the majority of studies showing inadequate nutrition knowledge in collegiate athletes [ 16 ]. Furthermore, these results indicate that NCAA DIII collegiate athletes, who typically lack robust institutional resources, are particularly in need of sport nutrition education and could benefit from greater institutional support.

Previous studies have shown nutrition knowledge differences between the sexes, with females scoring higher than males when differences are present [ 18 , 30 ]. This finding, however, is not universal across studies, with the majority showing no differences [ 16 ]. Our findings are in agreement with the majority of research showing no sex differences in total sport nutrition knowledge; however, we did uncover a difference in hydration knowledge between males and females when using the scoring instructions outlined by Karpinski et al. [ 26 ] ( Table 2 ). To the best of our knowledge, while no studies have shown higher hydration knowledge of female athletes compared to male athletes, one study by Volpe et al. [ 31 ] did show that a greater percentage of male collegiate athletes were hypohydrated compared to female athletes (47% vs. 28%, respectively), potentially indicating better knowledge and hydration practices in females.

Unsurprisingly, athletes who had taken a college-level nutrition course had significantly higher (% correct) knowledge scores than those who had not taken a nutrition course. These findings are in agreement with previous studies showing greater nutrition knowledge in athletes who had previously taken a nutrition course compared to those that did not [ 32 , 33 ]. While a college-level nutrition course obviously imparted greater knowledge, it was still not effective at promoting adequately high sport nutrition knowledge, as these athletes did not score above 42% on the instrument. This highlights the specialized information that athletes require regarding nutrition and performance and the need for greater resources to address their specific nutritional needs.

Interestingly, individual sport athletes scored higher (% correct) than team sport athletes for both hydration and micronutrients knowledge. This is in partial agreement with findings by Weeden et al. [ 34 ], who found that individual sport athletes had higher nutrition knowledge than team sport athletes. A possible explanation may be due to differences in “self-regulatory” behaviors between these athlete types. Indeed, Jonker et al. [ 35 ] demonstrated that athletes participating in individual sport disciplines reported higher ratings on “planning” and “effort” skills than team sport athletes. Regardless, given the low knowledge scores across all groups, the fact remains that collegiate athletes are greatly in need of sport nutrition education that could help them optimize training, recovery, and performance.

One outcome of poor nutrition knowledge is poor dietary practices that fail to support training needs. Despite exhibiting inadequate sport nutrition knowledge, our sample reported relatively prudent dietary practices, such as not frequently skipping meals, eating at least three meals per day, and consuming multiple snacks per day. Interestingly, however, just less than half of males and females reported eating breakfast every day, potentially highlighting a barrier to meeting total energy needs throughout the week in some athletes. Additionally, males were less likely to report choosing fruit and vegetable snacks compared to females, whereas the reverse was true for protein bars/powders. This, in part, reflects the athletes’ reported motivations for their dietary and supplementation practices. Indeed, males reported “performance” and “recovery” at higher rates whereas females reported “general health” more frequently.

Sport-related dietary habits were also a part of the nutrition assessment in the present study. Despite low sport nutrition knowledge, athletes reported eating within one hour pre- and within one to two hours post-workouts/practices, selecting mostly carbohydrate and protein-based foods for these meals. This complies with recognized sport nutrition guidelines for macronutrient selection and timing of nutrients to promote performance and recovery [ 1 , 2 ]. However, despite these practices, it is unclear the extent to which these athletes actually meet the energy and relative carbohydrate and protein needs for their given level of training. Indeed, the relevant literature has consistently shown that the dietary intakes of collegiate athletes do not typically meet the recommended nutrient intakes [ 6 , 7 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. This could potentially be due to a mismatch between perceptions of dietary requirements and actual needs [ 25 ]. Thus, while dietary habits may be prudent, gross intakes may not be sufficient, placing athletes at risk for LEA and developing RED-S [ 10 ] and overtraining syndrome [ 39 ].

The vast majority (>95%) of athletes of both sexes also reported drinking water during workouts/practices. While water is a logical choice for hydration purposes, athletes who engage in vigorous activity for longer than 60 min may need additional nutrients, such as carbohydrate and electrolytes, to counter high sweat rates, promote performance, and delay fatigue [ 40 ]. Thus, while athletes acknowledged, in practice, hydration as a key component to optimal sport nutrition, the present data highlight the potential of specific hydration strategies as a key aspect for improving sport nutrition knowledge in athletes.

Given that NCAA DIII collegiate athletes typically do not have access to a sports dietitian or the level of nutrition resources provided to DI athletes at larger institutions, we also addressed sources of nutrition knowledge in our sample, as this is likely to play a large role in these athletes’ decisions. The category ranked most frequently as the number one, two, or three source of nutrition knowledge was social media, followed by coaches and athletic trainers. This was reflected in the athletes’ reporting of who they feel most comfortable discussing their nutritional needs with, with athletic trainers and coaches ranking the highest. Torres-McGehee at al. [ 22 ] similarly showed coaches and athletic trainers as being primary resources for nutrition knowledge in collegiate athletes. This is likely due to the high degree of trust and high frequency with which the athletes interact with these individuals. Furthermore, two more recent studies, one by Kimmel et al. [ 41 ] and another by Trakman et al. [ 42 ], also showed the internet as being one of the primary sources of nutrition information for athletes. While there is certainly a distinction between the “internet” and “social media” (as we presented it), the present study coupled with the recent findings by Kimmel and Trakman highlight the ever-growing influence of online digital media as a primary source of nutrition information for athletes. It further stresses the potential need for health professionals and coaches to counter low-quality nutrition information. Given that the athletes in the present study reported dietitians as the most knowledgeable with regard to nutrition information, this further emphasizes the importance of having not only sport nutritionists/dietitians in athletic settings, but having competent professionals whom the athletes trust for their information.

One strength of the present study includes the use of an appropriate, validated sport nutrition knowledge instrument that is based, in part, on the most recent sport nutrition guidelines set forth by the ACSM, AND, and DC [ 1 ] as well as additional published sport nutrition recommendations and standards [ 27 , 28 ]. Many previous studies suffer from not using validated surveys, using questionnaires that were validated in populations that are not indicative of collegiate athletes (e.g., adolescents) [ 16 , 43 ], or using (now) outdated information regarding sport nutrition guidelines [ 22 , 29 ]. While this study did not assess general nutrition knowledge, the instrument used applies explicitly to sport-specific nutrition information most relevant to athletes. Given the rigorous validation process of the current instrument by Karpinski et al. [ 26 ], we believe this study adds much-needed and valuable information on the sport nutrition knowledge proficiency of collegiate athletes. Another strength of this study is the large sample of collegiate athletes ( n = 331), of both sexes, from various similar institutions, that span a wide variety of sporting disciplines.

This study is not without its limitations. For one, we did not assess actual dietary intakes as aforementioned, nor did we use a validated set of questions related to dietary habits and sources of nutrition information. As such, the qualitative data in the present study should be interpreted with some caution. Furthermore, we also failed to assess ethnicity or socioeconomic status, two factors that are likely to play crucial roles in nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviors [ 44 ]. For example, in a recent study by Jagim et al. that assessed NCAA DIII collegiate athletes [ 25 ], one of the reported reasons for skipping meals was financial restrictions, particularly among the female respondents. Thus, future studies should aim to include additional factors and barriers to nutrition that can better help contextualize the data and tease out the most important contributors to dietary practices and knowledge in athletes.

Another limitation of the study was the length of the survey. In total, our survey encompassed 85 questions related to demographics, dietary habits, sources of nutrition information, and sport nutrition knowledge. While 331 student-athletes completed the questionnaire with a fairly even distribution of male and female respondents, approximately 2497 students were contacted, while 489 initially opened and agreed to take the survey and 158 did not complete it (13.2% response rate). As such, this likely contributed to bias in the sample. Finally, our results are likely only generalizable to athletes with similar educational backgrounds from similar collegiate institutions (i.e., DI, DII, and DIII).

5. Conclusions

Sport nutrition knowledge is a critical component for optimizing dietary habits that promote beneficial training adaptations in athletes. In the present study, NCAA DIII collegiate athletes exhibited poor sport nutrition knowledge, regardless of sex, having had a college-level nutrition course or not, and whether they participated in an individual or team sport discipline. Despite the lack of formal knowledge, most athletes reported seemingly prudent dietary practices when it came to skipping meals and pre- and post-workout/practice nutrition. Furthermore, while we did observe differences in knowledge between groups of athletes (i.e., by sex, having had a nutrition course, and sport type) that agree with previous research findings, the overall low scores across all groups point toward a need for greater nutrition education in collegiate athletes, even in those who have taken a college-level course in nutrition. Given that most athletes in the present study relied upon social media and those most proximal to them for nutrition information (i.e., coaches and athletic trainers who are not technically experts in sport nutrition knowledge), it is imperative that more institutional support is provided to these types of athletes. This should include efforts that enhance sport nutrition knowledge, identify barriers to poor nutrition, and employ registered sports dietitians who can deliver the most reliable dietary information.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Alexandria Caljean for her assistance with the statistical analyses and Amanda Murphy, Brianna Pellegrino, and Taylor O’Shea for their assistance in the organization and collation of data. We would also like to thank the athletes, coaches, and athletic directors for their cooperation and assistance with the project.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu13092962/s1 , Table S1: Breakdown of reported sports disciplines by sex; Figure S1: Supplements typically consumed by athletes.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, D.J.K., K.M.E., A.J.W., J.K.P., and D.J.F.; methodology, D.J.K., K.M.E., A.J.W., J.K.P., and D.J.F.; formal analysis, D.J.K. and K.M.E.; investigation, D.J.K., K.M.E., A.J.W., J.K.P., and D.J.F.; resources, D.J.K., K.M.E., A.J.W., J.K.P., and D.J.F.; data curation, D.J.K. and K.M.E.; writing—original draft preparation, D.J.K.; writing—review and editing, D.J.K., K.M.E., A.J.W., J.K.P., and D.J.F.; project administration, D.J.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Rowan University (IRB #PRO-2020-32 on 22 September 2020).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

Conflicts of interest.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

• Northeastern University
• Bouvé College of Health Sciences
• Bouvé College of Health Sciences Theses and Dissertations
• Bouvé College of Health Sciences Master's Theses
• Clinical Exercise Physiology Master's Theses

Clinical Exercise Physiology Master's Theses Collection

http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20233242

Association between executive function, physical activity, and physical fitness in people with type 2 diabetes

The effects of a three month cardiac rehabilitation program on cardiovascular endurance, ejection fraction, and quality of life

Effects of pre-existing co-morbidities in variable lifestyle modification programs on weight loss

Effects of the USDA daily recommended intake for protein and strength training on physical function, body composition, and strength in older men

A healthy and competitive approach to weight loss

Healthy kids, healthy futures open gym observations

The response of blood lactate and glucose in type I diabetes to a single bout of supramaximal exercise with and without carbohydrate ingestion

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Home > SPHHS > NUTRITION > NUTRITION_THESES

Nutrition Department Masters Theses Collection

Theses from 2023 2023.

The Impact of Cannabidiol on Intestinal Tumorigenesis: A Pilot Study on Caco-2 Cell , Yingxue Guan, Nutrition

Theses from 2020 2020

Exploring the impact of a Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program in an urban Middle School in Western Massachusetts , Maria O'Donnell, Nutrition

Theses from 2019 2019

The Efficacy of Nanoemulsion-Based Delivery Systems to Improve Vitamin D3 Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability , Alagu Selvi Kadappan, Nutrition

The Association between Diet Quality and Inflammatory Biomarkers among College-aged Women , Luotao Lin, Nutrition

Theses from 2018 2018

Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Traditional Health Practices Among Cambodian Women (15-35 Years) Living In Massachusetts , Nan Dou, Nutrition

Impact of Bodyweight on Tissue-Specific Folate Status, Genome Wide and Gene-Specific DNA Methylation in Normal Breast Tissues from Premenopausal Women , Armina-Lyn Frederick, Nutrition

Influences of Antroquinonol and 4-Acetylantroquinonol B on Inflammatory Tumorigenesis in the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line with or without TNF-α Stimulation , Ting-Chun Lin, Nutrition

Theses from 2017 2017

The Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Vitamin D in Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure , Amanda Abrams, Nutrition

Evaluation of Berry Extracts on Intestinal Digestive Enzymes and Sugar Transporters , Jungbae Ohrenberger, Nutrition

Theses from 2016 2016

Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Multicultural Middle School Students in Central Massachusetts , Emily M. Harrington, Nutrition

Mobile Produce Markets: A Strategy for Increasing Access to Fruits and Vegetables Among Low Income Urban Residents , Bi-sek J. Hsiao, Nutrition

Effect of Obesity-Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha on Adipocyte Function , Seok-Yeong Yu, Nutrition

Theses from 2015 2015

Live Well Springfield – A Community Transformation Movement: Evaluation of the Live Well Springfield Website , Jesse A. Mushenko, Nutrition

Estimating Access to a High Quality Diet for Older Adults in Springfield, Massachusetts , Nicole M. Ratchford, Nutrition

Obesity-Induced Inflammation in Human Mammary Tissue: A Potential Microenvironment Favorable to the Development of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Via the Wnt Signaling Pathway , Agathe A. Roubert, Nutrition

Evaluation of the Springfield MENU Program , Hannah Stenger, Nutrition

Theses from 2014 2014

The Role of Sleep Timing on Diet Quality and Physical Activity among College-Aged Women Participating in the University of Massachusetts Vitamin D Status Study , Deniz Azarmanesh, Nutrition

Examining the Relationship Between Environmental Concern, Exercise Habits, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake , Dana M. Harrison, Nutrition

The Springfield Farm-To-Preschool and Families (f2p) Program: Examining Children's Fruit and Vegetable Consumption , Toni L. Jenkins, Nutrition

The Combined Effects Of Genistein And Daidzein On Adipocyte Differentiation , Oumou Habybat Kone, Nutrition

Adolescent Nutritional Status and its Association with Village-level Factors in Tanzania , Nozipho Maziya, Nutrition

Intuitive Eating, Attitudes to Food, and Body Size: A Comparison Between Nutrition Majors and Non-Majors , Katelyn Russell, Nutrition

Theses from 2013 2013

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Trichostatin A (tsa) And Sulforaphane (sfn) Modulate Vitamin D Responsive Cyp24 Gene Expression in 3t3-l1 Preadipocytes , Eunjee Ahn, Nutrition

The Impact Of Nutrition Education On Food Security Status And Food-related Behaviors , Jamie A. Farrell, Nutrition

Food Insecurity and Culture - A Study of Cambodian and Brazilian Immigrants , Sarvnaz Modarresi Ghavami, Nutrition

Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on Vitamin D Activity in Human Breast Cancer Cells , Brooke Savage, Nutrition

Coping Strategies, Food Preferences, and Their Potential Effects on Dietary Quality Intake in a Massachusetts Efnep Population , Amy Wasson, Nutrition

Theses from 2012 2012

Association between Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status among Adolescent Girls in Kilosa District, Tanzania , Shanshan Chen, Nutrition

Western Massachusetts Head Start Preschoolers' Vegetable Consumption in Response to a Puppet-Based Nutrition Education Intervention Focusing on the Sensory Properties of Vegetables , Arielle M. Magro, Nutrition

The Massachusetts Bmi Letter: Parents' Responses, Conceptualizations of Weight, and Health Literacy Skills , Lindsay J. Moyer, Nutrition

Sensory Exploration of Seasonally and Locally Available Vegetables and its Effects on Vegetable Consumption of Western Massachusetts Head Start Children , Shannon Sojkowski, Nutrition

The Effectiveness of Point-of-Purchase Nutrition Education on Improving Beverage Choices and Nutrition Knowledge in a College Foodservice Setting , Heather A. Wemhoener, Nutrition

Theses from 2011 2011

the Relationship between Vitamin D Statuses and Young Adult Women Asthma , Shiying Bian, Nutrition

Iron Status, Inflammation and Anemia in Bangladeshi Women Exposed to Arsenic , Joycelyn M. Faraj, Nutrition

Vitamin D and TNF-alpha Effects on Adipogenesis and Inflammation in Human Adipocytes , Brianna Gray, Nutrition

Perceptions and Attitudes of Dietetic Program Educators Regarding Use of Distance Education and Computer-Based Simulations in Dietetics Education , Kirsten M. Schlein Ms., Nutrition

Effect of the Flavonoid Quercetin on Adipocytes , Jennifer C. Swick, Nutrition

Theses from 2009 2009

Association between Serum Ferritin and Body Composition in Young Women , Ujjwala S. Dandekar, Nutrition

Vitamin D Status among Bangladeshi Women of Reproductive Age , Ann Micka, Nutrition

Evaluation of Learning Styles among Undergraduate Students at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst completing selected Online and Traditional Courses , Bridget Minihan, Nutrition

Parent Toddler Feeding Relationship in Lebanon , Christine Zahm, Nutrition

Theses from 2008 2008

The Relationship between Serum Leptin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and Body Composition , Isabel L. Guenther, Nutrition

Vitamin D Metabolites Inhibit Adipocyte Differentiation in 3t3-l1 Preadipocytes , Radhika Natarajan, Nutrition

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Home > Student Scholarship and Creative Works > Master's Theses > Nutrition Theses

Master of Nutrition Theses

The Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences offers a Master of Science degree in Nutrition. Thesis research studies completed by graduate students in nutrition have consistently been presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo). In addition, graduate students in our department have won awards and have been nominated for Best Master’s Thesis Oral presentation. Our Program offers small classes, opportunity to work closely with faculty, an excellent learning environment, and an opportunity to conduct research.

This collection features theses from Master of Science students in the Department of Nutrition Graduate Program at Central Washington University.

Theses from 2023 2023

Risk of Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, and Menstrual Dysfunction in Female Collegiate Runners , Leah Louise Dambacher

Impact of the Washington State COVID-19 Lockdown on 5-10-Year-Ol School-Aged Children Residing in Kitties County , Peyton Rondeau

Theses from 2022 2022

Investigating the Effects of Body Weight Fluctuations on Insulin Resistance in Adults: a NHANES Study , Jessica Claire Burke

Associations Between Atherogenic Markers and Hearing Loss: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 2011-2012, 2015-2016 , Anna Anya Rombakh

Theses from 2021 2021

The Relationship between Eating Disorders, Weight Control Methods, and Body Satisfaction in Elite Female Runners Competing at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials , Sophia Elizabeth Berg

The Effect of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Indicators of Lactose Intolerance: A Systematic Review , Taylor Roice

Theses from 2020 2020

Risk of Low Energy Availability in Elite Male Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury , Savannah Glasgow

A Pilot Study: Observations of Patients Participating in Heart Failure Shared Medical Appointments while Receiveing Nutrition Education , Hannah Hugo

Theses from 2019 2019

Prevalence of Low-Energy Availabilty Amongst Female Paralympic Athletes , Alicia DiFolco

Effectiveness of Nutrition Education and Fitness Tracking in a Large Corporate Healthcare Wellness Program , Jess Tyrrell

Theses from 2018 2018

The Effects of Autonomous Motivation and Implementation Planning on Dietary Goal Adherence Among Personal Training Clients , Hannah Allen

Effects of Pre-Exercise Ice Slurry Ingestion on Physiological and Perceptual Measures in Athletes with Spinal Cord Injuries , Alexis Moore, Kelly Pritchett, Robert Pritchett, and Elizabeth Broad

Developing, Piloting, and Factor Analysis of a Brief Survey Tool for Evaluating Food and Composting Behaviors: the Short Composting Survey , Jennie Norton

Farmers Market Education with Supplemental Voucher Improves Farmers Market Awareness in Elementary Children , Ali Papendick

Hypertension Prevalence Trends Among Mexican-Americans: NHANES 1999-2016 , Sandra S. Valencia

Theses from 2017 2017

The Associations of Farm-to-School Programs on Childhood Obesity in School Breakfast , Hannah Brzozowski

The Effects of Nutrition Education on Third and Fifth Grade Students’ Fruit and Vegetable Knowledge, Preference, and Consumption , Alexandra Epstein-Solfield

Comparison of Anthropometric Measurements of Abdominal Obesity as Predictors of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: NHANES 2011-2014 , Carli Kettel

Scheduling Recess Before Lunch: Perceptions of Washington State Public Elementary School Professionals , Kaitlin O'Leary; Nicole Stendell-Hollis Ph.D., RDN; Tishra Beeson DrPH, MPH; and Dana Ogan MS, RDN

Effect of a Sliding Scale Vitamin D Supplementation Protocol on 25(OH)D Status in Elite Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury , Lauren Stark, Kelly Pritchett, Robert Pritchett, and Elizabeth Broad

Theses from 2016 2016

Comparison of a Body Shape Index and Body Mass Index as Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome: NHANES 2007-2012 , Rotana M. Radwan

The Waist to Height Ratio is a Better Anthropometric Index of Abdominal Obesity and its Association with the Prevalence of Diabetes Among Asian Americans , Yu Xiao

Theses from 2015 2015

Beverage Selections and Presence Affect Healthy Eating Index Scores in Lunches of Elementary Age Children, Whether from Home or School , Mary K. Barbee

A Comparison of Markers of Iron Status between Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Female High School Cross Country Runners. Is Routine, Pre-Season Screening Warranted? , Edward J. Callahan Jr.

Community Readiness Assessment: Applications for Community Nutrition Research , Whitney E. Houser

Investigation Into School Lunch Quality Following Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act Implementation , Katherine N. Smith

Theses from 2012 2012

The Effects of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, Docosahexaenoic Acid and 5-Fluorouracil on Human Breast Cancer Cells , Liv Astri Engelsen

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Nutrition and exercise.

Nutrition and Exercise Master of Science (M.S.)

Most students in this master's program will be non-thesis and focus on courses individualized to their future career goals.

Master's students who are completing a research thesis, as well as doctoral students, will conduct research in faculty members' laboratories.

Students in the master's program (Non-thesis: Option B) and in the Nutrition and Exercise Specialization will be advised by:

Shinya Takahashi Associate Professor of Practice, Associate Department Chair, CEHS Academic Program Lead

Doctoral students or master’s students (Thesis: Option A)  who are interested in exercise physiology and nutrition research and plan to continue through the doctoral program will be advised by: 

Terry Housh Professor

M.s., nutrition and exercise specialization.

Requires the following courses (13 credit hours) which are also available to doctoral students:

• NUTR 805 Research Methods (3) or other graduate-level research or statistics course (i.e., EDPS 859 , STAT 801A )
• NUTR 884 Physiology of Exercise (3)*
• NUTR 886 Exercise Testing and Exercise Programming in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation (4)* 
• NUTR 950 Integrated Principles of Human Nutrition (3) or 900-level metabolism course 
• NUTR 960 Nutrient Function During Exercise (3)

*If you have already completed these as undergraduate courses (NUTR 484, NUTR 486, or NUTR 456), then, in consultation with your advisor after admission, you will select graduate courses within the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences appropriate to your career goals as well as graduate courses within other departments.

Total credits required: 

• M.S. Option A: 30 total credit hours, requires research thesis ( NUTR 899 , 6-10 credit hours) 
• M.S. Option B: 30 total credit hours, non-thesis

WORK OPPORTUNITIES AND FELLOWSHIPS

Master's Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantship with Dr. Shinya Takahashi  

• Available yearly starting in the fall.
• Teaching is in the fall and spring semesters.
• Preference is for students who have completed an undergraduate program in Kinesiology or Exercise Science and are preparing for careers in nutrition, exercise, and health sciences.
• This assistantship involves supervising students in exercise practicums, grading assignments, and teaching courses in healthy living. 
• To be considered for this assistantship, students must have completed their application to our graduate program and must plan to complete the Nutrition and Exercise specialization.

More information regarding assistantships and fellowships can be found online at: cehs.unl.edu/nhs/assistantships-hourlypositions-fellowships/ . 

Doctoral Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantship with Dr. Terry Housh

• Only students with completed applications will be considered for this graduate assistantship.
• To be considered for this assistantship, students should remain committed to a research career and ensure completion of courses in Exercise Science: catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/ .

Preferred Courses Prior to Admission:  

To be successful in the program, the following courses are strongly preferred - consult with your advisor. 

• Two semesters of general chemistry
• CHEM 109A General Chemistry I  and   CHEM 110A General Chemistry II
• One semester of organic chemistry with lab
• CHEM 251 / CHEM 253 Organic Chemistry
• One semester of biochemistry
• BIOC 401 / BIOC 401L Elements of Biochemistry  or   BIOC 431 Biochemistry I: Structure and Metabolism
• Human Physiology with lab
• BIOS 213 / BIOS 213L Human Physiology
• Human Anatomy with lab
• BIOS 214 Human Anatomy

GRE is not required.

View UNL's Undergraduate catalog online at: catalog.unl.edu/undergraduate/ .

• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist
• Health/Fitness/Wellness Specialist
• Health/Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer
• Nutrition and Exercise Consultant
• Strength and Conditioning Coach

Application to this program

When completing the Office of Graduate Studies online application, select : Major/Degree: Nutrition and Health Sciences Specialization: Nutrition and Exercise

Home > College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences > Departments > Sport and Exercise Psychology > Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Living Your Best Life: The Mindful Pursuit of Student-Athlete Thriving , Andrew Augustus

Working with Community Partners in WV: Learning How to Frame Health Equity in Physical Activity Interventions , Karly Marie Casanave-Phillips

How do college student-athletes’ understanding and expectations of mindfulness and self-compassion change through an intervention? , Blake Costalupes

“Building the Roots”: A Delphi Study Examining the Aims of a Multicultural Competency Graduate Course in Sport and Exercise Psychology , Matthew Paul Gonzalez

Exploring the Conceptualizations and Utilizations of Learning Theories in Sport Settings , Kevin R. Lou

Drivers of Change in Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions with Athletes: Investigating the Influence of Dosage, Readiness, and Attitudes , Thomas O. Minkler

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Short-Term International Sport for Development and Peace Programs: A Retrospective Analysis and Critique Informed by Stakeholders’ Perspectives in a Two-Year Follow-Up , Adam Hansell

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

'Deporte y Cambio Social': Women's Empowerment SDP Program in Mexico , Sofia Espana Perez

A Qualitative Study of College Athletes’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic , Carra Johnson

Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Student-Athletes: A Descriptive Study of Practitioners and their Perspectives , William C. Way III

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

A Phenomenological Photovoice Exploration of Female Exercisers’ Experiences of their Body in Fitness Center Environments , Katherine E. Fairhurst

Exploring the Relationship Between Hardiness and Performance in Collegiate Baseball Players , Kevin R. Lou

Using the social ecological model to build a path analysis model of physical activity in a sample of active US college students , Jonathan J. Stewart

"Yo, I Like Your Walk-Up Song": Music Integration in Professional Baseball Gamedays , Seth Swary

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Stigma, Attitudes, and Intentions to Seek Mental Health Services in College Student-Athletes , Robert C. Hilliard M.S.

Supporting The Injured Athlete: Coaches’ Perspectives On Providing Social Support , Stefanee Opal Maurice

Being Mindful of Perfectionism and Performance Among Athletes in a Judged Sport , Erika D. Van Dyke

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Competitive Aggressiveness, Anger, and the Experience of Provocation in Collegiate Athletes , Michael E. Berrebi

Functional Movement Screen Composite Scores for Collegiate Field Club Sport Athletes at One University , Daniel Camillone

Exploring the Use of Sport as a Platform for Health Promotion with Youth in Africa: A Scoping Review. , Adam H. Hansell

Use of Four Predictive Screening Variables for Determination of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in Adolescent Soccer Athletes , Brian Hanson

Coaching life skills through sport: An application of the teaching personal and social responsibility model to youth sport in eSwatini , Zenzi Huysmans

Psychosocial Development of Junior Hockey Players , Alexander John Sturges

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Players' Responses to and Primary Caregivers' Perceptions of Authoritarian and Authoritative Coaching in the Inner-City , Renee Brown

Examining the Impact of a Short-Term Psychological Skills Training Program on Dancers' Coping Skills, Pain Appraisals, and Injuries , Leigh A. Bryant

Changes in Athletes' Anxiety, Anger, and Impulsiveness following Concussion , Megan Byrd

Development of Ethics Education Guidelines for Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Programs , Kaitlynn Cullen

Using a Multi-Omic Approach to Investigate a Diet Intervention in Young Adults at Risk of Disease , Oluremi Ariel Famodu

Approaches to Supervision in Sport Psychology and their Influences on Initial Supervisees' Professional Development , Janaina Lima Fogaca

High School Coaches' Experiences with Openly Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Athletes , Meghan K. Halbrook

#Physical Activity: Influencing Parent Behavior Change Through Social Media , Adam Keath

The Effects of an Exercise and Kinesiotape Intervention on Forward HeadRounded Shoulder Posture and Scapular Dyskinesis , Lucas Klawiter

Student-Athletes' Experiences with Racial Microaggressions in Sport: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis , Sae-Mi Lee

The Effects of a Six Week Lumbopelvic Control and Balance Training Program in High School Basketball Players , Margaret Long

Thrombospondin-1 and Cd47 Mediate Peripheral Microvascular Dysfunction Following Pulmonary Exposure to Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes , W. Kyle Mandler

The Investigation of Motor Primitives During Human Reaching Movements and the Quantification of Post-Stroke Motor Impairment , Erienne Virginia Olesh

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Effect of Lower Extremity Asymmetries on Low Back and Lower Extremity Pain with Pregnancy , Erica Casto

Do Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Nutrition Affect Healthy Weight in Middle School Students in an Appalachian Community? Children's Health Opportunities Involving Coordinated Efforts in Schools (CHOICES) Project , Kibum Cho

How Far is Too Far? Understanding Identity and Overconformity in Collegiate Wrestlers , Ashley M. Coker-Cranney

An Examination of Collegiate Athletes', Undergraduate Sport Science Majors', and Athlete Majors' Intent to Pursue Collegiate Coaching as a Career , Lauren Deckelbaum

A preliminary exploration of the application of self-compassion within the context of sport injury , Zenzi Huysmans

Psychosocial Predictors of Resilience in a Military Sample , Anna-Marie C. Jaeschke

Evaluating the Efficacy of Various Modalities to Improve Arterial Stiffness , Corey Moore

The Influence Over Time of Abdominal Strength Changes on Gluteus Maximus Strength , Taylor M. Opperhauser

Use of a Functional Movement Screening Tool to Determine Injury Risk in Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Athletes , Sara E. Spencer

Adherence to Sport Rehabilitation , Kjersti A. Traaen

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Surgery and Rehabilitation Treatment Options for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Elbow for Baseball Athletes: A Systematic Review , Amanda M. Damm

What elite men's collegiate tennis coaches look for in recruits and how they assess preferred player characteristics , Brandyn H. Fisher

The Influences of Participation in an Elite Paralympic Military Program on the Self-Identity of Active Duty Service Members with Acquired Disabilities , Lindsay M. Hammond

The Influence of Physical Activity on International Students' Cross-Cultural Adjustment: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study , Shuang Li

Becoming a Mindful Sport Psychology Consultant: Defining, Developing, and Integrating Mindfulness into Practice , Michelle M. McAlarnen

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Certified Athletic Trainers' Abilities to Identify and Refer Athletes with Psychological Symptoms , Marc L. Cormier

Usage of Evidence Based Medicine Resources in Clinically Practicing Athletic Trainers , Kenneth G. Faldetta

Division I College Student-Athlete Career Situation and Attitudes toward Career Counseling , Adrian J. Ferrera

An Evaluation of State Employees' Preferences for Worksite-based Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Stress Management Programs , Peter Kadushin

The use of joint mobilization on mechanical instability deficits for a lateral ankle sprain: A Systematic Review , Kathleen M. Kerecman

The Effect of a Six Week Functional Training Program on Performance Outcomes in Softball , Zachary M. Mohondro

Sport Psychology "App"lication: NCAA Coaches' Preferences for a Mental Training Mobile App , Raymond F. Prior

"It's not just your dad and it's not just your coach..." The dual-role relationship in female tennis players , Olivier N. Schmid

Stoking the Flames of Wellness: An Exploration of Factors that Influence West Virginia Firefighters' Health Behaviors , Chelsea B. Wooding

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Influence of Gender on the Peer Leadership-Cohesion Relationship , Michael E. Berrebi

Stressors and Coping Behaviors of Female Peer Leaders Participating in College Club Sports , Leigh A. Bryant

An Exploration of Master's Degree Field Study and Teacher and Student Behavior in P.E , William J. Davis

An Exploratory Investigation of Baseball Coaches' Attitudes and Experiences With Sport Psychology , Jesse D. Michel

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Using Concept Mapping to Identify Action Steps for Physical Activity Promotion in Cancer Treatment , Sean J. Fitzpatrick

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

At-Risk Student-Athletes and Academic Achievement: Experiences of Successful and Unsuccessful First Year Collegiate Football Players , Samantha J. Monda

A Survey of Bariatric Surgical Patients' Experiences with Behavioral and Psychological Services , Jessica C. Peacock

A tailored wellness intervention for college students using internet-based technology , Alessandro Quartiroli

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The effects of a walking intervention on self-efficacy for coping with cancer and quality of life among cancer patients during treatment , Sean J. Fitzpatrick

Validity and reliability of accelerometers for examining vertical jump performance , Ryan M. Ruben

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

The evaluation of a nutrition education and fitness program with a contest component among college students using the RE-AIM framework , Michelle L. Bartlett

An individualized multimodal mental skills intervention for college athletes undergoing injury rehabilitation , Jamie L. Shapiro

The role of emotional intelligence on coach-athlete relationships and motivational climate , Eric E. Steege

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Effectiveness of an educational intervention on the attitudes toward sport psychology of athletic training students , Damien Clement

Impact of a physical activity intervention for weight loss: A qualitative analysis of participant perceptions and expectations , Jessica Anne Creasy

Leadership and organizational culture transformation in professional sport , Joe Frontiera

Motivation in sport: Bridging historical and contemporary theory through a qualitative approach , Daniel J. Leidl

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Impact of a tailored intervention on coaches' attitudes and use of sport psychology services , Rebecca Zakrajsek

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Does physical disability truly create impairment in adjustment to college life? , Jennifer R. Hurst

The transtheoretical model and psychological skills training: Application and implications with elite female athletes , Linda Ann Keeler

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

The role of apoptosis in muscle remodeling , Parco Ming-fai Siu

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Exercise changes perception of time, says new study.

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According to a new study, the perception of time slowed down while people were exercising.

Exercise has long been touted for both its physical and mental health benefits, but recent research adds an intriguing twist to the understanding of its effects, indicating it can also alter the perception of time.

The study, published in the journal Brain and Behavior and led by researchers from the U.K. and The Netherlands indicates that time seems to slow down when people engage in physical activity.

The study involved 33 active adults who participated in controlled experiments where they cycled in virtual environments for 4 kilometres at a time. These environments were designed to be both engaging and challenging, including the presence of virtual competitors to test if social dynamics could influence time perception. The participants then completed time perception tasks at three different intervals: before, during, and after their exercise sessions.

The findings revealed a significant distortion in the participants' perception of time during exercise. Specifically, time appeared to stretch, making periods of physical activity feel longer than they actually were. This phenomenon was consistent regardless of the presence of virtual competitors, indicating that the act of exercising itself, rather than whether other individuals were preset, was responsible for this time-warping effect.

"Our findings have important implications for healthy exercise choices, enjoyment levels and also for how we use this information to optimise performance,” said Professor Andrew Edwards, co-lead author of the work from Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, U.K. in a press release .

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The paper suggests that if time perception can be manipulated to make workouts feel less burdensome or lengthy, more people could be encouraged to engage in regular physical activity, improving overall health and fitness levels. For example, shorter, high-intensity workouts that feel longer could be integrated into fitness regimes, providing the benefits of extended exercise sessions without the associated time commitment. The researchers also suggest that understanding how time perception changes during exercise could help in developing new strategies to make physical activity more enjoyable, potentially increasing adherence to exercise routines.

"The main strands of the work are to see how we can motivate people to engage with exercise, avoid/mitigate negative associations with time appearing to move slowly and perhaps see if we can use this apparent slowing of time to our advantage," said Edwards.

However, the researchers are keen to point out the limitations of the study, including that the participants in the study were all quite fit and exercised regularly to start with, so they can't say whether the results would be similar for people who are less fit and don't partake in regular exercise.

"It's still unclear whether the results are generalizable. The sample size of 33 people offer an intriguing first glimpse into how our perception of time can be warped — and perhaps a clue as to how to take things to the next level while exercising,” said Edwards.

The research team plans to expand their studies to include a more diverse range of participants, exploring how different demographics and fitness levels experience time distortion during exercise. They are also planning to investigate how various types of physical activity, beyond cycling, impact time perception and how their findings can be applied to specific populations, such as athletes seeking to optimize their training or individuals undergoing rehabilitation who might benefit from more engaging exercise experiences.

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Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise announces student scholarship awards

• Marya Barlow
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The  Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise  in Virginia Tech’s  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences  is pleased to announce the following students who received scholarship awards for the upcoming academic year.

Reagan Boyd , an incoming freshman from Topsfield, Massachusetts, was named a Virginia Tech  Stamps Scholar . Boyd is majoring in  nutrition and dietetics  will be living in the  Honors Residential Commons . She is the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise’s first Stamps Scholar.

Stamps Scholars are chosen based on strong leadership potential, academic merit, and exceptional character. They receive four-year, merit-based scholarships covering tuition, fees, room, and board, as well as a generous enrichment fund for experiential learning opportunities, including internships or study abroad. Stamps Scholars live in student-led Honors communities with other high-achieving peers pursuing rigorous courses of study, service, and personal development. 

Sean Burnett , of Blacksburg, Virginia, was awarded  three graduate student scholarships in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences  that recognize academic achievement and financial need. They are the Watkins Family Scholarship, the Celeste W. Reynolds Graduate Scholarship, and the Cyrus McCormick Scholarship. Burnett completed his bachelor’s degree in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise in May and is now pursuing a  master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics  starting this summer. He is also the recipient of a 2024 CALS Outstanding Transfer Student Award.

Nadeen Al-Qudah , of Blacksburg, Virginia, and  Mary Looney  of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, are both recipients of the 2024-2025  Brenda Harmon Rohe Dietetic Scholarship . Given by the Rohe family in honor of Brenda Rohe, a 1966 graduate or the department, the scholarship supports rising junior or senior dietetics majors from southwest Virginia or North Carolina who demonstrate academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community service, and talent for a career in dietetics. Both Al-Qudah and Looney are students in the  accelerated B.S./M.S. degree program .

Scholarship programs offered by the  Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise  and by Virginia Tech are part of the  Virginia Tech Advantage  – a commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of income, have access to the university’s transformational learning and enrichment opportunities.

Tom Soladay

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