INFLUENCE OF PROPER DIET AND NUTRITION AMONGST UNIVERSITY OF BENIN STUDENT-ATHLETES

This study explored the influence of proper nutrition and diet amongst University of Benin student-athletes. The purpose of the study is to ascertain the influence of proper nutrition and diet, it health implications on student-athletes as well as ways and measure through which sports performance can be improved. This study accessed information on nutrition and diet and it influence on student-athletes. The study was guided by research objectives, significance and scope and Delimitation. Literature review covered relevant texts and documents on the research topic. The researcher adopted the descriptive survey research design. Random sampling technique was used from the five research questions, 21items were raised in the questionnaire together with the data for this study. Samples of 324 student-athletes were taken from University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The test – retest reliability method was used to establish the reliability of the instrument. The score from both administrations were correlated using the Pearson’s Product – Moment Correlation (PPMC) to establish its coefficient and the reliability score obtained was 0.84 which shows that the instrument is highly dependable. Descriptive statistics of percentage was used to analyze personal data. The results of the study showed that: proper nutrition and diet influences sports performance and physical fitness.