The Impact of Nutrition on Sports Performance and Academic Success: A Study Among University Athletes – Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 01 | Page : 16 27
    By

    Christian Gendemeh,

  • Atul Khajuria,

  • Pravin Kumar,

  1. Scholar, Department of Physical Education and Yogic Sciences, Desh Bhagat University,, Punjab, India
  2. Professor and Dean, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Desh Bhagat University, Punjab, India
  3. Director, Department of Physical Education and Yogic Sciences, Desh Bhagat University, Punjab, India

Abstract

University athletes operate within dual-performance environments that require simultaneous academic and athletic excellence. Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting both physiological performance and cognitive functioning; however, limited empirical work has examined its combined influence on athletic and academic outcomes within university athlete populations, particularly in low-resource contexts. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutritional practices, sports performance, and academic achievement among university athletes at the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone. It further sought to test an integrated model that positions cognitive functioning as a mediating pathway linking nutrition to overall performance outcomes. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, involving 150 athletes who completed structured questionnaires and 30 athletes who participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression models, while qualitative interviews were examined through thematic analysis. The integration of both datasets strengthened the validity of findings. Findings revealed strong nutritional engagement, with 85 % of athletes consuming at least one balanced meal daily. Nutrition showed significant positive correlations with energy (r = 0.69), muscle recovery (r = 0.75), endurance (r = 0.72), academic focus (r = 0.63), memory retention (r = 0.58), and GPA (r = 0.65). Regression analyses indicated that nutritional quality significantly predicted both sports performance (β = 0.61, p <.001) and academic performance (β = 0.54, p <.01). Qualitative data highlighted nutrition’s central role in energy regulation, cognitive clarity, and performance consistency, alongside barriers such as time constraints and limited food access. The study provides robust evidence that nutrition is a key determinant of holistic performance among university athletes. Strengthening institutional nutrition support systems is essential for optimizing both athletic and academic success.

Keywords: Academic performance, cognitive function, mixed-methods, nutrition, sierra leone, sports performance, university athletes

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : Journal of Food Science & Technology ]

How to cite this article:
Christian Gendemeh, Atul Khajuria, Pravin Kumar. The Impact of Nutrition on Sports Performance and Academic Success: A Study Among University Athletes – Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone. Research & Reviews : Journal of Food Science & Technology. 2026; 15(01):16-27.
How to cite this URL:
Christian Gendemeh, Atul Khajuria, Pravin Kumar. The Impact of Nutrition on Sports Performance and Academic Success: A Study Among University Athletes – Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone. Research & Reviews : Journal of Food Science & Technology. 2026; 15(01):16-27. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjofst/article=2026/view=235647


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 01
Received 21/06/2025
Accepted 06/12/2025
Published 06/01/2026
Publication Time 199 Days
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