A STUDY OF CONFIDENCE AND ATTITUDE IN PROVIDING NUTRITION ADVICE TO CLIENTS IN FITNESS COACHES

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the confidence and attitude in providing nutrition advice to clients in male and female fitness coaches, and to evaluate factors influencing such confidence and attitude. Participants were fitness coaches (44 male and 39 female) from a total of 15 fitness clubs and studios in Gansu, Jiuquan City, China. The instrument employed for data collection was an online questionnaire, with a validity of 0.99 and reliability of 0.94. The results showed that the confidence in nutrition-related knowledge, skills, communication, and counselling in most male participants was 4 (very confidence; 52.27±7.54%, 48.41±7.54%, and 46.97±9.99%, respectively) and the female participants was 5 (extremely confidence; 55.33±7.50%, 55.13±7.71%, 51.28±6.51%, respectively). The attitude toward providing nutritional services among most male participants was 4 (somewhat agree; 47.16±9.28%) and of the female participants was 5 (completely agree; 55.77±7.45%). The mean score for all items related to confidence and attitude was significantly lower in male participants than female participants (p-