Introduction to Sports Nutrition

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Human and Sports Nutrition
2. Energy
3. Energy in the Athlete’s Body
4. The Training Diet
5. The Competition Diet
6. Fluids
7. The Athlete’s Body Composition
8. Weight Management
9. Training for Size and the Use of Sports Supplements

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Discuss human nutrition as it relates to sport.
• Explain energy and how energy is produced in the body.
• Explain how energy is utilised in the human body.
• Understand the characteristics of, and to be able to design an effective training diet.
• Design a diet for an athlete.
• Understand the principles of and be able to design an athletic diet for the days leading up to, during and after a competition.
• Explain the importance of fluids in an athletic diet.
• Define the body composition of an athlete, and to become aware of the methods of measuring body composition.
• Examine effective methods for weight reduction and body fat control where they are deemed necessary.
• Examine methods of increasing muscle mass and to assess the use of sports supplements.

• What are essential nutrients?
• What is the difference between fats and oils?
• Briefly discuss the importance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the human diet.
• Define energy.
• Describe how ATP is converted to energy in the human body.
• What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
• How do actively contracting muscles get more ATP?
• What are the two main sources of ATP for muscles that are performing intense activity?
• Out of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which substances provide the most efficient supply of energy to the human body?
• Which energy sources are used throughout the exercise session?
• Define the following terms:
  • Gluconeogenesis
  • RQ
  • VO2 max
  • TDEE
• Name three things commonly measured during fitness tests.