This module introduces students to the concepts of nutrition as they apply to general health and wellbeing as well as performance for the competitive athlete. Students will learn the role of macronutrients, micronutrients and fluid balance in the diet and their subsequent effect on athletic performance whilst exploring recent developments in nutritional research. Students will design and implement a research experiment as a group that assesses the efficacy, using appropriate statistical analyses, of popular nutritional and/or ergogenic aids whilst addressing the confounding factors that diet may have on the effectiveness of these supplements.

Laboratory report will assess learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

The students will be required to conduct (and/or take part) in a nutritional intervention. The assessment will involve critically applying knowledge and understanding of nutritional concepts and principles so that an effective intervention can be conducted. Outcome measures will be taken to monitor the effectiveness of the intervention, which will be presented in a scientific report.

This module incorporates a tutor-lead lecture programme and practical sessions. Students will be required¿to conduct¿tutor-directed independent¿study, as well as student-lead enquiry and reading into research around¿the topics of the science of exercise prescription covered in the module. Online platforms will be utilised to support the delivery of the module. It will host resources and additional independent learning tasks for students to complete. Formative assessment will be incorporated throughout the module and regular peer feedback will be a feature of the delivery.

1. Critically apply knowledge and understanding of nutritional concepts and principles to sport, health and exercise settings

Knowledge and understanding Learning Application

2. Analyse, interpret and present nutritional and statistical data

Knowledge and understanding Learning Analysis Application Communication

3. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge, critical understanding and application of sports nutrition and ergogenic aids in the design of a research experiment.

Knowledge and understanding Learning Problem solving Application

Appropriately equipped laboratory to specifically include: access to lab/technical staff to support; a means of measuring body composition and body water and gas analysis apparatus

An appropriately equipped IT room for data entry and analysis

Consumable costs

Appropriate technical support

Appropriately equipped lecture room

Astro turf or appropriate space to carry out some data collection and/or practical activity

Whitney, E.N., & Rolfes, S.R. (2016). Understanding Nutrition. (14th ed.). Cengage Learning.


Kenney, W. L., Wilmore, J. H., & Costill, D. L. (2015). Physiology of sport and exercise. (6th ed.). Human Kinetics.

McArdle, W. D. Katch, F. I., & Katch, V. L. (2014). Exercise physiology: Nutrition, energy, and human performance. (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Williams and Wilkins.


Jeukendrup, A. E., & Gleeson, M. (2019). Sports nutrition: An introduction to energy production and performance. (3rd ed.). Human Kinetics.

This module introduces you to the concepts of nutrition as they apply to general health and wellbeing as well as performance for the competing athlete. You will learn the role of macronutrients, micronutrients and fluid balance in the diet and their subsequent effect on athletic performance whilst exploring recent developments in nutritional research. In groups, you will design and implement an experiment that assesses the efficacy, using appropriate statistical analyses, of popular nutritional and/or ergogenic aids whilst addressing the confounding factors that diet may have on the effectiveness of these supplements.