This module will be assessed with a 1750-word research proposal that integrates key physiological concepts, the appropriate physiological test to assess those concepts and whether supplementation with ergogenic aids could improve performance for an appropriate sport or exercise activity. Students are required to underpin the assignment with a comprehensive review of the literature to produce an evidence-based proposal and address rigorous methodological rigour, design and statistical analyses. Successful completion of the assignment will equip students with the relevant skills to apply to the level 6 dissertation and other research-based modules.

This module introduces students to the concepts of physiology and 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 health and athletic performance.

- In addition, students will develop an understanding of key physiological concepts and the role of legal supplementation with ergogenic, performance enhancing aids and learn how to use physiological test procedures to determine the efficacy of supplementation.

1. Critically apply knowledge and understanding of physiology and nutrition to sport and exercise settings

Learning Outcome: Knowledge and understanding, Application and problem solving

2. Integrate the use of physiological testing methods in the design of an experimental research proposal to explore and analyse the efficacy of nutritional ergogenic aids.

Learning Outcome: Digital Literacy, Research Skills

A mixture of practical sessions and theoretical lectures will be used to ensure students can meet the learning outcomes of the module. Students will spend a significant amount of time working within the physiology labs at the university, conducting short experiments to support their understanding of different nutritional elements and the physiological impacts of these.

- Access to an appropriate PC, with accompanying software including Office 365 (MS Teams, One-Drive, Word, PowerPoint et al.), Adobe, and JAMOVI.

- Access to appropriate reading materials, which can be accesses through the University of Staffordshire library resource page for sport and Exercise.

Spano, M. A., Kruskall, L. J., & Thomas, D. T. (2024).¿Nutrition for sport, exercise, and health. Human Kinetics.

Alfieri, A., D’Angelo, S., & Mazzeo, F. (2023). Role of nutritional supplements in sport, exercise and health.¿Nutrients,¿15(20), 4429.

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 consolidates the learning of basic physiological and nutritional principles learned previously. It introduces you to more advanced physiological concepts, their appropriate testing and monitoring procedures and thereafter explores how physiological performance may be enhanced using nutritional supplements. The skills learned can be applied to real-world settings to improve sporting performance or exercise capacity for the elite or recreational athlete, respectively.