Utilization And Efficacy Of The “Run Fueled” Smart-phone Application Among Collegiate Endurance Runners: 373 Board #214 May 30 11 00 AM - 12 30 PM

PURPOSE: We evaluated the use and efficacy of an interactive, goal-specific, nutrition education intervention aimed at optimizing energy availability and the intake of bone- building nutrients among collegiate endurance runners. METHODS: In Spring 2016, 77 male and female NCAA Division I runners were invited to complete the 8-week nutrition education curriculum, administered through “Run Fueled”, a smart-phone application. The curriculum, delivered through two, 4-week modules, provided content through daily nutrition tips and electronic handouts, videos, recipes on a weekly topic. Athletes were assessed during a one-on-one meeting with a registered sports dietitian prior to completing Module 2, which provided tips and resources specific to their nutrition goals. Each week, runners were invited to complete assessments regarding the weekly resources and/or dietary behavior change. RESULTS: Forty-eight (62.3%) of the 77 runners utilized one or more components of the 8-week curriculum. For Module 1, 39.6% (n= 19) of the 48 runners engaging with the curriculum exhibited use of ≥80% of components, i.e. “high-use”. Twenty-three (47.9%) of the 48 application users completed one or more components of Module 2, four runners exhibited “high-use” of Module 2. Built-in assessments indicated that 75.8% (n= 25) of 33 runners reported the Module 1 daily tips as “engaging and effective”, while 70.6% (n = 24) of 34 runners rated that the tips could assist with dietary change. Among 11 runners completing the Module 2 assessments, 54.5% (n= 6) reported making changes consistent with the nutrition goals. Runners indicating “Yes” the tips were “engaging and effective”, compared to “No”, “Unsure”, or those not completing the assessment exhibited higher use of Module 1 (i.e. 54.8 ± 2.5 vs. 34.8 ± 4.3 vs. 7.3 ± 3.2, p<0.001) and Module 2 (6.8 ± 1.2 vs. 3.6 ± 2.2 vs. 0.0 ± 0.0) components. All runners (n= 4) exhibiting “high use” of Module 1 and Module 2 reported dietary change. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of runners (62.3%) engaged with one or more components of the “Run-Fueled” application, with over 70% of runners that completed the assessments rating the tips and resources as engaging, effective, and able to facilitate dietary change. Runners’ reporting dietary change consistent with their nutrition goals exhibited higher application use.