Dietary Behaviors, Nutrient Intake, and Rowing Performance in Collegiate Athletes: From a National Champion Team in Japan Original Research
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Keywords
plant protein, nutrition knowledge, ergometer time
Abstract
Introduction: Competitive rowers train at high volumes and intensities and therefore require well-structured nutritional support. However, it remains unclear how everyday dietary behaviors and habitual dietary intake patterns relate to rowing performance.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 33 male collegiate rowers from a national champion team in Japan completed a food frequency questionnaire and additional items assessing nutrition-related behaviors and awareness. Performance outcomes included personal-best 2,000-m rowing ergometer time and official competition ranking at a national university championship.
Results: Four behaviors, use of low-fat milk, frequent legume/soy consumption, seeking nutrition information, and perceived dietary adequacy, were significantly associated with faster 2,000-m ergometer times (rho ρ = 0.35–0.40, p = 0.032–0.044). In addition, a higher plant-protein ratio was associated with better official competition ranking (rho ρ = -0.48, p = 0.017).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that both everyday nutrition-related behaviors and habitual dietary intake patterns were associated with rowing performance and underscore the potential value of nutrition education and support in this population.
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Copyright, 2026 by the authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.