Course overview
Optimal nutrition forms the foundation for good health and peak physical performance. Food provides both the macronutrients as fuel for exercise and the micronutrients for efficiently extracting and transferring energy into kinetic energy for movement. The search for the exact nutritional balance for optimal metabolic function has consumed scientists and ignited public interest in the field. Yet, there remains a great deal of anecdotal dogma in the public domain regarding nutrition advice much of which is unsupported scientifically.
Drawing its content from recent published scientific research this course explores how nutritional composition impacts on the regulation of body mass, exercise performance, and training responsiveness. Modules will cover the optimal fuel mix, fluid and electrolyte balance for peak physical performance. Further more, in response to the escalation in the incidence of metabolic diseases in Australia we shall address the interrelated roles of nutrition and physical activity for prevention and treatment of obesity and cardiovascular disease. During practical sessions students will have the opportunity to learn skills to assess body composition and markers of metabolic health. Course assignments will focus on applying their new found knowledge to design simple evidence based nutritional plans for exercise and a small group discovery project exploring the science behind sports nutrition supplements. This course will provide insight into the development and application of evidence-based nutritional practices and the knowledge gained will be of great benefit to those interested in sports and/or nutritional science.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms controlling macronutrient metabolism during exercise, training and recovery.
- Display knowledge and understanding of the physiological regulation of fluid and micronutrient balance in difference environmental conditions and knowledge of methods to address any imbalances.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interrelated roles of nutrition and physical activity as a mechanism to and for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disease.
- Apply transferable skills to accurately assess nutritional intake, body composition and markers of metabolic health.
- Apply nutritional knowledge and skills to a design simple evidence based individual nutritional plan.
- Acquire, read and interpret and synthesise information from a wide variety of scientific sources in a planned and timely manner
- Acknowledge and reference sources of information appropriately
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with peers in the production of scientific reports and performing verbal presentations.
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus East
Class number 24499
Section PR01
Size 25
Available 23
Class number 24500
Section TU01
Size 30
Available 28
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