CompletedNot Applicable

Effect of a Nutritional Education Intervention in Female Athletes

Spain97 participantsStarted 2025-02-03

Plain-language summary

This cluster randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutritional education intervention on sports nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, and body composition in adolescent female handball players. Four handball clubs were recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group or a control group. Randomization was performed at the club level to prevent contamination between participants. The intervention consisted of three in-person group educational sessions delivered once per week over a three-week period by a dietitian-nutritionist. Session content was developed based on focus group findings, baseline nutrition knowledge assessment, and results from a previous pilot study. The intervention addressed key sports nutrition topics, including energy requirements, macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, and healthy eating strategies for athletic performance. The control group continued their usual dietary habits and did not receive any nutritional education during the intervention period. For ethical reasons, the control group received the educational program after study completion.

Who can participate

Age range

12 Years – 19 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female athletes aged 12 to 19 years * Minimum of one year of training experience at their club * Training at least three days per week for approximately 1.5 hours per session Exclusion Criteria: * Pre-menarcheal athletes * Diagnosis of an eating disorder * Presence of a chronic disease requiring a specific dietary plan * Pregnancy * Lack of proficiency in Spanish

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Sports nutrition knowledge

Timeframe: From baseline to post-intervention and three-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07460102

SponsorAndreu Farran-Codina

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-10-31

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