Module JXH-2027:
Sport Nutrition

Module Facts

Run by School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Anthony Blanchfield

Overall aims and purpose

Ever wondered how nutrition influences elite performance and health in athletes? Learn the underpinning science of sport nutrition and how a sports nutritionist translates this into practice with elite performers.

Course content

You will learn about the influence that nutrition has on elite athlete performance and health and how science translates into nutritional practice. This will include - understanding the specific nutritional demands of the exercising individual; including, the role of carbohydrate and fluid availability and the effect of various dietary strategies on performance and health. You will explore whether nutritional supplements can improve athlete performance and health. The module aims to increase your confidence in translating the core science into practical nutritional advice for pre-event, during event and recovery. You will gain a practical understanding of the use of dietary assessment techniques with elite performers.

Assessment Criteria

good

Evidence of extensive and thorough understanding of the learning outcomes listed; good capacity to interpret, relate and use material flexibly; succinct critical writing; no notable omissions or rerrors or irrelevancies; adequate referencing, using adequate primary sources.

excellent

Students must show an ability to critically reconstruct material and evidence of wide reading of current research literature and extensive use of primary sources. Students are able to accurately present, interpret and analyse data and form clear conclusions to answer the question.

threshold

Limited evidence of understanding of the learning outcomes listed; work generally descriptive in nature; notable omissions, errors and irrelevancies; poor referencing and use of primary sources.

Learning outcomes

  1. Apply previously acquired biochemical and physiological knowledge to understand digestion of macro/micro nutrients and their fate in energy metabolism

  2. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how diet influences sports performance and how different events have different nutritional requirements

  3. Understand the specific role of carbohydrate and fluid availability in endurance performance

  4. Demonstrate the effects of ergogenic aids on sports performance

  5. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the appropriate use of dietary analysis with sport performers

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
REPORT diet analysis

This is a practical, real-world assignment where you will be assessed on your understanding of the use of dietary assessment techniques with elite performers.

 25
EXAM MCQ

This MCQ will assess your understanding of the processes of digestion and energy metabolism.

 15
EXAM COURSEWORK 60

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Practical classes and workshops

Dietary analysis workshop

 2
Lecture

Lectures and accompanying podcasts. Optional workshop.

 22
Private study

Required and recommended reading each week.

 76

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • critically assess and evaluate data and evidence in the context of research methodologies and data sources
  • describe, synthesise, interpret, analyse and evaluate information and data relevant to a professional or vocational context
  • plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work, which provides evidence of critical engagement with, and interpretation of, appropriate data
  • apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems
  • develop a sustained reasoned argument, perhaps challenging previously held assumptions
  • demonstrate effective written and/or oral communication and presentation skills
  • work effectively independently and with others
  • take and demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and continuing personal and professional development
  • self-appraise and reflect on practice
  • plan and design practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures whilst demonstrating high levels of relevant skills
  • demonstrate evidence of competence in the scientific methods of enquiry, and interpretation and analysis of relevant data and statistical outputs.
  • develop transferable skills of relevance to careers outside of sport, health and exercise sciences.
  • communicate succinctly at a level appropriate to different audiences.
  • accurately interpret case study data
  • develop justifiable and/or evidence-based interventions

Courses including this module