Dietary guidelines for secondary school volleyball athletes in demonstration schools under the office of the permanent secretary, ministry of higher education, science, research and innovation
Abstract:
Appropriate and nutritionally balanced food consumption resulted in athletes having sufficient physical condition for training and readiness for competition. This research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing quantitative research through a survey and qualitative research through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The objectives were to: 1) study the dietary behavior of secondary school volleyball athletes in demonstration schools under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; and 2) propose guidelines for appropriate food provision for secondary school volleyball athletes in demonstration schools under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The sample group consisted of 250 secondary school volleyball athletes from demonstration schools under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. Key informants included 14 secondary school volleyball athletes and 9 experts in the focus group discussion. The research instruments included a food consumption behavior questionnaire, a 24-hour dietary recall assessment form, and an assessment form for the appropriateness and feasibility of dietary guidelines for volleyball athletes. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.
The research findings revealed that: 1) the overall dietary behavior of the volleyball athletes was at a moderate level, with a mean of 2.70. Out of 27 items, 7
dietary behaviors were at a good level, 19 were at a moderate level, and 1 was at a poor level; 2) the 24-hour dietary recall records of the volleyball athletes indicated an average consumption of 1,461 kilocalories across four meals (breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner), which was lower than the recommended daily intake of 2,400 - 4,000 kilocalories; and 3) the proposed dietary guidelines for volleyball athletes were divided into three approaches: recommending dietary guidelines, developing a dietary guideline manual, and organizing activities to promote appropriate food consumption. The evaluation of the appropriateness and feasibility of these guidelines was at a high level, with a mean of 4.50. When considering each aspect individually, it was found that the 'one-day recommended menu' and the 'sample menus with recipes' showed a high level of appropriateness and feasibility. The aspects of knowledge/additional recommendations and the possibility of practical application were appropriate and feasible at the highest level. This research suggests recommending appropriate dietary methods to volleyball athletes, surveying student satisfaction and opinions to improve food quality for students and athletes in schools, organizing activities to provide knowledge on appropriate food consumption for volleyball athletes, and further research on models of food management for athletes in schools covering all components of activities related to personnel, athletes, competition management, and welfare and nutrition.