NextGen Athlete
NextGen Athlete
Program Strategies
The foundation of the NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program is built on the pillars of education, empowerment, and performance. Designed specifically for adolescent female athletes, the program provides practical nutrition education and actionable lifestyle strategies to optimize health, recovery, and athletic achievement. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program collaborates with parents, coaches, and the Blair High School sports community to create a supportive environment that fosters sustainable habits and long-term success.
Program design is outlined below.
Who:
Adolescent female athletes at Blair High School. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program is designed to support student-athletes by providing education and strategies to optimize their nutrition, performance, and recovery. Parents and coaches will also receive supplemental materials and resources to reinforce the curriculum and create a supportive environment for lasting success.
What:
A comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle education program designed to empower adolescent female athletes with the knowledge and tools to optimize their health, enhance athletic performance, and build sustainable habits for long-term success.
Where:
The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program will provide in-person lessons at Blair High School for student-athletes. Additionally, weekly resources will be sent home to parents and caregivers, and online webinars will be hosted throughout the program to enhance accessibility and engagement.
When:
The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program runs over a 12-week period in conjunction with Blair High School’s sports seasons. In-person lessons occur once a month, with additional 15-minute online lessons provided weekly. Three interactive webinars are scheduled during the program, and weekly handouts and emails are sent to parents and caregivers to reinforce learning and engagement.
Why:
Adolescent female athletes face unique nutritional challenges that can impact their performance, recovery, and long-term health. Nutrition education and support tailored to this population are often lacking, leaving athletes without the tools they need to succeed. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program aims to fill this gap by providing science-backed education and practical strategies to help athletes and their families optimize health and performance.
Complete and Acceptable Delivery
The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program will be delivered through three main components: in-person nutrition education sessions, supplemental online materials, and parent/caregiver engagement strategies. The program will run for 12 weeks and include structured content to ensure fidelity and measurable outcomes.
1. Nutrition Education Component
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Fidelity: Facilitators will undergo standardized training and follow a detailed curriculum for consistency. Each session will include a presentation, group discussion, hands-on activities, and interactive take-home materials.
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Dose Delivered: Four monthly 1.5-hour in-person lessons focusing on meal timing, macronutrient balance, hydration, and performance recovery strategies. Weekly 15-minute lessons will be made available online.
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Dose Received: Participant engagement will be assessed through attendance, activity completion rates, and knowledge gains using pre- and post-program quizzes.
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Reach: At least 75% of eligible Blair High School female athletes will register and participate, as tracked through attendance logs.
2. Parent/Caregiver Engagement Component
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Fidelity: Weekly visual handouts will be distributed to parents/caregivers, summarizing in-class lessons and offering actionable tips. Facilitators will ensure that materials are culturally relevant and accessible.
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Dose Delivered: Three virtual webinars for parents and caregivers, focusing on meal planning, shopping for balanced meals, and hydration strategies. Weekly emails will provide additional insights into nutritional interventions and habit-building techniques.
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Dose Received: Parental engagement will be monitored through webinar attendance and survey responses assessing the usefulness of materials.
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Reach: At least 60% of parents/caregivers will actively engage in one or more activities during the program.
3. Online Support and Resources Component
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Fidelity: A dedicated online forum for participants will provide supplemental resources, including meal plans, recipes, and hydration trackers. Facilitators will moderate the platform to ensure high-quality engagement.
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Dose Delivered: Weekly interactive activities, including quizzes, discussion prompts, and downloadable resources.
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Dose Received: Participant interactions, such as comments, post engagement, and activity submissions, will be tracked to evaluate the effectiveness of online materials.
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Reach: At least 75% of participants will access and utilize the online resources during the program.
References
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice Hall.
McKenzie, J. F., Neiger, B. L., & Thackeray, R. (2017). Planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs: A primer (7th ed.). Pearson.
Nutbeam, D., & Bauman, A. (2021). Evaluation in a nutshell: A practical guide to the evaluation of health promotion programs (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Patton, M. Q. (2021). Developmental evaluation: Applying complexity concepts to enhance innovation and use. Guilford Press.
Saunders, R. P., Evans, M. H., & Joshi, P. (2005). Developing a process-evaluation plan for assessing health promotion program implementation: A how-to guide. Health Promotion Practice, 6(2), 134–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839904273387