Didelio meistriškumo sportininkų ir sporto trenerių ekologiškų maisto produktų vartojimas Lietuvoje

Abstract

There is no data on the use of organic food by athletes and sports trainers in Lithuania. This determined the purpose of our study ‒ to examine and describe the peculiarities of the consumption of organic food products between Lithuanian high performance athletes and sports trainers. To assess the use of organic food, 158 Lithuanian high-skilled athletes and 135 sports coaches were surveyed. The results of the survey showed that the number of organic food users in the groups of athletes and coaches is high, accounting for 97% and 88.1%. Regardless of this, eco-friendly foods are too rarely used by athletes and coaches. Only 27.9% of athletes and only 36.5% of sports coaches use organic food daily. Athletes and sports trainers usually use organic fruits and berries, vegetables, eggs, and meat products. However, the use of organic products is determined by the gender and age of athletes and coaches. Information on organic nutrition is lacking in 44.3% of athletes and 54.8% of sports coaches. The use of organic food depends on the incomes of the athletes, but incomes is not a limiting factor for ecologic nutrition. Meanwhile, the use of organic food among sports trainers has no link with their incomes. The results of our research justify the need for the development of organic food products and assortment. It would be advisable for manufacturers to focus on the segment of high performance athletes and their sports coaches in shaping the organic food market. Keywords: organic food, high performance, athletes, sports coaches.