International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 7 Issue 8, August 2017 ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us , Email: editorijmie@gmail.com Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gate as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportuniti es, U.S.A 807 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us , Email: editorijmie@gmail.com Status Analysis of Awareness of Sports Nutrition Among the Athletes Dr. Merajuddin Faridi Safura Khan* Designation & Institution: Assistant Professor, Department of physical education, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh *Student of M.P.Ed-04,Department of physical education, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Abstract The purpose of this study was to know the knowledge of sports nutrition among the student-athletes of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The subjects (n = 100, m = 50, f = 50) for this study, were selected by stratified sampling method. The subjects were then divided into two groups; (1) athletes from the Department of physical education, and (2) the athletes from the other departments of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The questionnaires (pre-validated and tested) used by MM Wallinga (2012) and MF Hawk (2014) were adopted for the study. Minor modifications were done according to the Indian sports environment. The data was statically analyzed using SPSS software version 12.0 (Chicago, USA) and t-test with p<0.05 being taken as significant. The results in the form of percent responses were compared between male and female student-athletes and between the athletes of the Department of physical education, and the athletes of the other departments. The results of the study revealed that the student-athletes of the department of physical education have more knowledge of sports nutrition than the student-athletes of the other departments of the university. Keywords: sports nutrition, knowledge, physical education, athletes Introduction Nutrition is an essential component of any physical fitness program. The main dietary goal for active individuals is to obtain adequate nutrition to optimize health and fitness or sports performance. This is not only important to help to improve performance but also to promote healthy dietary practices in the long term. Young athletes have more nutritional needs because of physical activity and physical development. Optimal athletic performance results from a combination of factors, including training, body composition, and nutrition. Nutrition plays an essential role in attaining a high level of achievement in