THE ROLE OF HEALTHY NUTRITION IN DELAYING THE ONSET OF FATIGUE DURING PHYSICAL EXERTION AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCES, AL-MUTHANNA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Healthy nutrition is one of the fundamental factors that contribute to improving physical performance and maintaining the efficiency of the body’s functional systems, particularly among female students who engage in various physical activities in colleges of physical education and sports sciences. The quality, quantity, and timing of food intake play a pivotal role in supplying the body with the necessary energy and replenishing nutrients lost during physical exertion, which positively affects the ability to sustain performance and delay the onset of fatigue. The research problem is represented by answering the following question: What is the relationship between dietary habits and the level of early physical fatigue among female students of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at Al-Muthanna University during physical exertion? The research population consisted of (60) female students from the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at Al-Muthanna University. A sample of (24) students was selected and divided into two groups: the main experiment group, comprising (17) students, and the pilot experiment group, comprising (7) students, in a manner consistent with the research objectives and procedures. The descriptive correlational approach was used because of its suitability to the nature of the research problem, along with the SPSS program to obtain the final results. The results demonstrated the importance of balanced nutrition: adherence to balanced meals containing carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals helps delay the onset of fatigue during physical exertion. They also demonstrated the effect of eating before physical activity: consuming a light carbohydrate-containing meal one to two hours before exercise contributes to increased energy and physical endurance during sports activity. The researcher’s most important recommendation is to incorporate nutrition education programs into curricula and workshops in colleges of physical education in order to enhance female students’ awareness of the importance of proper nutrition.