Date of Graduation

5-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation

Advisor/Mentor

Bailey, Mechelle

Committee Member/Reader

Hill, Laura

Committee Member/Second Reader

Shoulders, Kate

Abstract

Mascots have unique physical demands and nutrition needs. They exert themselves tremendously on a variety of game days and at practices throughout the week. Hydration is as significant for mascots as it is for any other athlete, yet there is little to no known research available to help this population achieve a good hydration status. Studying similar populations such as cheerleaders, band members, football players, and firefighters provided a better understanding of mascot hydration. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of hydration knowledge in mascots performing at the collegiate and professional levels and determine the different factors that influence their hydrated state. Multiple factors have an impact on this status such as duration of game, amount of liquid ingested, previous hydration knowledge, and environmental temperature. A questionnaire was distributed to approximately 670 people and was completed by 27 current active mascots to discover the level of their hydration and the factors that impact this status. The questionnaire was composed of questions regarding sports the participating mascots perform for, their self-reported status of hydration, and potential factors that impact their hydration statuses. Results showed that there was no information presented to mascots regarding hydration, and no one except themselves was responsible for monitoring this status. The findings in this study overwhelmingly suggest that there is an educational gap in the mascot population regarding hydration. Further research is recommended, with a larger sample size, to more thoroughly assess the hydration behaviors of current active mascots.

Keywords

Nutrition; Hydration; Mascot

Download

Share

COinS