College sports nutrition opportunities are growing due in part to recognition of the discipline’s impact on health, safety, and performance and the recent NCAA legislative changes that have brought about big foodservice opportunities and challenges, along with new options for athletic administrators. Effectively managing the full scope of need in this environment demands proficient and expert-level practitioners who can wear many hats.
Student-athletes tackle the typical academic, social, health, and personal life stage concerns just like other college students, in addition to managing their training and competition schedules. Either of these can independently or collectively create a continuum of nutritional risk. RDNs can be a resource while offering support and treatment for student-athletes.
Nutrition services can be more broadly implemented when the majority of athletic and campus stakeholder relationships are established and these individuals are engaged in the service’s mission. Athletic trainers can be pivotal partners in the RDN’s work.
Many NCAA meal and nutritional supplement bylaws govern the boundaries of these provisions. Collegiate sports dietitians should familiarize themselves with these regulations so they can recommend and implement appropriate services.