Date of Award
1-1-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Health and Kinesiology
First Advisor
Melinda Valliant
Second Advisor
Kathy Knight
Third Advisor
David Joung
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to observe the relationship between total calorie and macronutrient intake on return to baseline measurement times in concussions collegiate athletes. Forty division I collegiate athletes (19.83 + 1.01 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 22) or intervention group (n = 18) once diagnosed with a concussion. Macronutrient intake and daily caloric intake were analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research. Concussion related symptoms were assessed using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool. Statistically significant differences were found on the number of days until symptoms reached baseline based on overall average calorie intake. Statistically significant differences were not found on the number of days until symptoms reached baseline based on the nutrition intervention. Meeting overall average calorie needs throughout the course of concussion recovery resulted in a reduced number of days of symptoms (mean = 5.53 + 3.87, eta squared=0.50). There was a statistically significant relationship between carbohydrate, protein, fat and number of days until symptoms reached baseline. Throughout the symptomatic period, when carbohydrates reached the average intake of 475.79 + 161.72 grams per day, the number of days until concussion recovery reduced by almost 4 days for carbohydrates (t= -4.03, p <.001). These findings suggest that meeting overall energy needs and the intake of carbohydrates may shorten symptom duration post-concussion. Further research is warranted to investigate the extent that macronutrient and energy intake have on concussion recovery time.
Recommended Citation
Frakes, Matthew Richard, "The Impact Of Dietary Intake On Concussion Recovery In Division I Ncaa Athletes" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1870.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1870