Module SPRT3211: Nutrition for Sport, Physical Activity and Health

Department: Sport and Exercise Sciences

SPRT3211: Nutrition for Sport, Physical Activity and Health

Prerequisites

• SPRT1311 Introduction to Physical Activity and SPRT1281 Introduction to Exercise Physiology.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• Specific Aims of the Module:
• to build upon students’ underpinning knowledge of exercise physiology and psychology and critically apply this to the field of nutrition for special populations within sport, physical activity and health;
• to evaluate dietary and energy requirements, along with contemporary nutritional strategies for:
• athletes
• the physically active individual
• individuals presenting with modifiable adverse health and disease states
• the exercising child;
• to critically examine the influence of behavioural and physiological factors on diet, food intake and energy regulation;
• to facilitate a thorough critical understanding of key laboratory and field-based techniques in applied nutrition, along with interpretation of associated outcomes.

Content

• This module will be delivered in blocks (the order of which may change); indicative content as follows:
• Collecting nutritional information in research and practice (for example recalling and recording of food intake, assessment of body composition and physical activity);
• Sport and exercise nutrition (for example strategies for before and during competition/training and for recovery);
• Eating behaviours (for example disordered eating, body image);
• Diet and Health (dietary interventions for health – for example obesity, bone health, diabetes);
• Nutritional considerations for the exercising child (for example growth and maturation, dietary requirements for active children and young athletes).

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• consideration of validity and reliability for assessment of energy regulation parameters in an athlete/physically active individual
• critical understanding of psychological and physiological factors associated with eating behaviour
• critical examination of nutritional strategies for specific populations
• planning, designing and undertaking practical activities in laboratory and field-based situations using appropriate techniques and procedures.

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• critical understanding of dietary and body composition assessment methods
• critical understanding of techniques for assessment of energy expenditure and physical activity
• application of competent and professional laboratory skills within the disciplines of nutrition, physical activity and health.

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• evidence-based reasoning to select appropriate tools for client assessment
• application of evidence-based research methodologies to analyse, interpret and evaluate nutritional and physiological information
• critical interpretation of contemporary literature in the field of study
• analysis and problem solving skills
• application of literacy and numeracy skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The learning outcomes of this module will be addressed through a series of lectures, practical laboratory sessions, seminars and directed learning tasks. Lectures will provide theoretical principles relevant to sport, physical activity and health-based nutrition whilst seminars and directed learning tasks will afford students the opportunity to critically engage with supporting material such as empirical journal articles and systematic reviews. Laboratory sessions will consolidate lecture and seminar material whilst providing an opportunity for students to practise applied techniques and develop vocational skills relevant to the professional nutritionist. The assessment strategy will comprise one formative and two summative components addressing relevant learning outcomes.
• Summative assessment One summative assessment (50%) will consist of a dietary case study (individual submission) whereby students will collect and analyse data using appropriate tools and make evidenced-based, written recommendations for dietary improvement with respect to the sport or physical activity regimen of the individual and other lifestyle factors. The other summative assessment (50%) will be an evidence-based ‘Position Statement’ (individual submission) whereby students will choose from set topics and complete an evidence-based position statement concerned with nutritional strategies for a specific special population.
• Formative Assessment Formative assessment will feed directly into the first summative assessment through optional submission of a short rationale concerning selection of appropriate client assessment tools.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Rationale for client assessment method (1000 words)

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University