Japanese sports dietitians’ evidence-based practice implementation is associated with academic degree and English reading ability: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background

Sport Nutrition is a fast-growing academic subject. Language and/or insufficient training will be barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP) for non-English native practitioners.

Aim

We investigated the EBP implementation in Japanese Accredited Sports Dietitians (ASDs).

Methods

Japanese ASDs (n = 77) were recruited by snowball sampling for a cross-sectional online survey using the Japanese version of the Health Science EBP questionnaire. Correlations between the five domains’ scores (attitudes, literacy, application, reflection, and environment) and differences by participants’ sub-groups were analysed. Multiple regression analyses were performed for the literacy and application scores, respectively, using other domain scores (Model 1) and participants’ sub-groups (Model 2).

Results

Correlations between reflection skills and application scores (rs = 0.724) and between the literacy and application scores (rs = 0.721) were strong. In multiple regressions Model 1, the scores in application and environment were significant predictors of the literacy score (R² = 0.602), while the literacy and reflection scores were of the application score (R² = 0.693). The working area, academic degree, and English reading ability were significant factors in the literacy score Model 2 (R² = 0.396), but not in the application score regression (R² = 0.156). Thirty-six percent of the participants answered that they did not read scientific articles written in English, including six participants working in research/education (20%).

Conclusions

EBP implementation in ASDs in a low English proficiency country could be improved with more EBP training, with strategies for optimal use of Artificial Intelligence tools and/or official translation of evidence-based guidelines.