Sports & Exercise Nutrition

Why exactly is sports nutrition so important? We start the course discussing macronutrients, the fuel sources we use during exercise, and give an overview of energy metabolism. You will become crystal clear on the importance of sports nutrition and why it is key to obtaining fitness and high performance.

Here you will learn the importance of carbohydrates as a primary source of fuel for exercise. We will look at the current recommendations for different groups of athletes and discuss their carbohydrate intake, and how it can improve performance by optimising energy stores in the body.

One of the hottest topics in sports nutrition these days is the importance of protein and fats for sports performance. You will learn all about the role of protein in energy metabolism, with a comprehensive analysis of the effect of essential amino acids for optimal health and performance. Fat metabolism and its part in exercise will also be analysed.

You will gain a comprehensive understanding of how hydration status effects your performance and we will consider the science behind sports drinks. We will look at the exact recommended requirement of fluid pre, during, and, post-exercise. You will also learn about the fluid and electrolyte loss during exercise and what environmental factors can contribute to this.

In lesson 5, we get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding vitamins and minerals. As micronutrients are often equated with energy, strength and optimal performance, this lesson will examine the prevalence and effects of vitamins and mineral deficiencies in athletes. You will learn the truth about sports supplements. We will discuss the effects of supplements on exercise performance and review the rationale for their proposed beneficial effects.

It is incredibly important to be aware of how the timing of our meals, i.e. before, during, and after an event, affects exercise. As eating out has a huge impact on our recovery after we work out, you will learn what and how to eat correctly post-exercise and boost your immune system.

Want to take more control of your calorie intake? You will learn about RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) and how to estimate how many calories you should be eating for your weight, age, gender and activity levels. This will enable you to take control of your calorie intake whether you want to lose, maintain or gain weight.

So you know what to eat but have no idea how to get to the correct weight for your sport? You could be doing it all wrong! This lesson will help you understand the importance of body composition on performance and how to either lose fat or gain muscle in a healthy, permanent way.