Investigating the nutritional habits of long-distance runners in the Maltese environment

Abstract

This study provides an overview of the dietary habits of Maltese long-distance runners. What importance do athletes place on nutrition to achieve peak performance by understanding when and what to eat before, during, and after training? The study also delves into the type of diet an athlete should consume and the ideal cooking methods of such diets. The primary research included mixed methods. The principal quantitative research instrument was a questionnaire handed to a target audience composed of long-distance runners, whilst the second research instrument was an in-depth interview, semi-structured questionnaire with long-distance athletes, coaches, and nutritionists. Following the research, outcomes, and conclusion, the author presented a set of recommendations from which athletes can derive optimal training and race results. The author wanted to test whether Maltese runners follow a diet based on research recommendations from coaches or specialists. The study also aimed to understand athletes’ awareness of how nutrition affects their performance. It was assumed that runners who strongly understand nutrition and follow a healthy diet perform better and achieve superior outcomes. [excerpt]