Performance Nutrition
MODULE CODE
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DELIVERY
Module Aims
Aim 1
This module will develop your understanding of the importance of nutrition for optimising sports performance. It will introduce concepts of determining energy expenditure through different methods including predictive equation, heart rate monitoring and power output assessment and how these energy expenditures influence nutritional needs for a range of sports. The module will also investigate the idea of nutritional periodization and the ways in which diet can be manipulated and supplemented to enhance performance and recovery. Lastly, the module will develop your understanding of nutritional ergogenic aids and the role of ‘superfoods’ and their proposed benefits for performance enhancement. In addition, you will develop skills in a range of nutritional analysis software and in presenting nutritional assessment data.
Module Content
Nutritional consultation with athletes.: assessment of diet, physical activity, energy expenditure and body composition.
Nutrient requirements for the athlete. Dietary reference values. How general requirements may be changed by exercise? Comparison of nutrient requirements for the endurance/ultra-endurance, the power/strength athlete and the team sport athlete. Weight management.
Dietary periodization for training, performance and recovery: carbohydrate, fat, protein, water, minerals and vitamins.
Ergogenic aids. Food and nutrient supplements and their possible effects on health and performance, e.g., creatine, amino acids, carnitine, caffeine and beetroot juice. Evaluation of manufacturers claims vs research evidence.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The module will be delivered as a combination of lectures and practical sessions. The lecture slots will generally be used to introduce ideas about the various syllabus topics, to develop these by presenting and discussing data supporting these ideas, and to undertake some problems. You will normally be given lecture notes and/or be directed to specific material. A reading list is attached after the syllabus, but you may also be given other references relating to specific topics. Generally, the practical sessions will be used for laboratory work, data analysis, study design, case studies and oral presentations.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through a case study and a group poster presentation & defence.
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