Course Description
This award aims to deliver discuss and impart the core principles and knowledge of Sports nutrition. The award will demonstrate the essence of Sports nutrition and why it is of utmost importance in every sporting success. Each Unit of the course will discuss the key topics in sports nutrition and based on peer reviewed research and studies. The award will provide a broad learning platform of Sport Nutrition, ensuring that students understand the importance of nutrition as well as learn about nutrition strategies and how to implement a personal plan.
In 2025, the pass rate for the course was 93%.
The accreditation category of the Programme is Further Education.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course programme, students will be able to:
- Build a nutrition plan within the limitations of the individual’s own competence, knowledge and sphere of professional practice, consistent with the legislation relating to healthcare practice.
- Incorporate his/her diet with his sporting abilities.
- Reflect on personal knowledge, skills and practice for continuing professional development.
- Support individual’s personal sport, interests, preferences, and cultures.
- Apply a holistic approach to his/her sporting career meeting his/her own needs.
- Understand current legislation in the field.
- Understand own responsibilities when making food choices , and the responsibilities of others, relating to food, health and environment.
- Evaluate nutritional diets.
Target Candidates
The Award is aimed at students who would like to develop their knowledge and skills of Sports nutrition. This course is beneficial for anyone interested in the fundamentals of Sport nutrition. The type of learners expected to enter this programme include: both athletes who would like to get a good understanding of the topic, as well as individuals who have a career in sport and physical activity.
This Award in Nutrition for Sport and Physical Activity is suitable for coaches working in the field of Sports, fitness instructors, athletes and physical activity enthusiasts. The course will provide knowledge and instruction on the subject area. On successful completion, students will have practical knowledge about sport Nutrition that can assist them in their employment within the Sport or Physical Activity sector.
| Course Code | Duration | Credit Value | Next Intake | FT/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW/S/002 | 3 months | 4 ECTS | February 2026 | PT |
| Contact Hours | Placement Hours | Self Study Hours | Assessment Hours | Total Learning Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 0 | 65 | 3 | 100 |
Mode of Training
This Award will be delivered using a variety of interactive teaching methods. Case studies and work examples will be discussed throughout the course.
Modules are delivered in the evening, twice a week.
Language of instruction is English.
Assessment
Assessments will include a mix of examinations and individual presentations.
Awarding Body
Learning Works
Lecturers
Course Structure
Module 1: Nutrition the overall picture: Understand the concepts of nutrition and digestion. The role of nutrition for health (1 ECTS)
Good nutrition is also fuel, and the quality of food provides a variety of essential nutrients. This course offers an overview of the properties, structure, function, and utility of key nutrients found in food, including:
Macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fluids
Micronutrients: vitamins, minerals, trace elements
Phytonutrients
Zoochemicals
The course also provides an overview of the digestive system and the digestion process, covering how each of the above nutrients is broken down. Nutrient absorption, a critical function of the digestive system, is explored in detail. After digestion, most nutrients are absorbed by the body for use. This unit provides learners with the foundational knowledge needed to understand how nutrients support sport performance, which will be applied in subsequent units.
Demonstrate understanding and be able to identify macronutrients and micronutrients.
Demonstrate understanding and be able to identify phytonutrients.
Demonstrate understanding and be able to identify zoochemicals.
Outline the basic functions of macronutrients and understand their importance as sources of energy during exercise of various intensities and durations.
Outline the importance and basic functions of micronutrients, phytonutrients, and zoochemicals.
Identify the concepts of a balanced diet in terms of energy intake and energy requirements.
Relate different anatomical areas to physiological processes involved in digestion.
Correlate the importance of different components of a balanced diet with their main functions.
Identify the structural and functional aspects of the gastrointestinal system in relation to digestion and absorption.
Describe the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system.
Recognize the different nutrients that make up a healthy balanced diet.
Evaluate the roles of nutrients in a healthy balanced diet.
Compare the physiology and function of the digestive system.
Describe the functions of the digestive system and the nutrients it processes.
Identify different foods containing the various nutrients.
- Total Contact Hours: 8
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 15
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 25
Module 2: Understand Energy balance and the importance of hydration in sport (1 ECTS)
This unit introduces students to the basic principles of energy balance, and the importance of hydration for both health and sport performance. Students are introduced to the principles of energy expenditure and energy balance and how this is affected by differing bodily processes. The importance of effective hydration is highlighted and the role of hydration in sport performance is covered. Throughout this unit, students are made directed to become self-aware of factors that affect their energy balance; specifically, in relation to metabolism, energy used for physical activity and lifestyle.
Define basal metabolic rate (BMR) and list factors that affect BMR.
Define daily energy expenditure and list factors that affect it.
Identify different methods used to assess body composition, including skin-fold calipers, bio-electrical impedance, and tape measurement.
Understand the principles of good hydration.
Discuss the health risks and disadvantages of being overweight and the impact on physical fitness.
Debate the advantages and disadvantages of weight loss during different macro-cycle phases and evaluate various methods of weight loss.
Differentiate between different eating disorders and demonstrate a good understanding of the female athlete triad.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of energy expenditure and energy intake.
Understand the definitions, role, and importance of basal metabolic rate, energy for activity, and physical activity.
Demonstrate knowledge of different methods used to assess body composition.
Understand the health risks and disadvantages of being overweight and the impact on physical fitness.
Know the advantages and disadvantages of weight loss during different macro-cycle phases and evaluate different methods of weight loss.
Differentiate between different eating disorders and understand the female athlete triad.
Apply knowledge and understanding to calculate basal metabolic rate, energy for activity, physical activity energy, and total energy expenditure.
Identify different methods used to assess body composition.
Evaluate different methods of weight loss.
Identify the best timing for weight loss in relation to sport activity.
Identify if an athlete is in positive or negative energy balance.
Identify advantages and disadvantages of different body composition assessment methods.
Identify health risks and disadvantages of being overweight and the impact on physical fitness.
Identify advantages and disadvantages of weight loss during different macro-cycle phases.
Differentiate between different eating disorders.
Work collaboratively with health professionals to improve body composition in relation to sport.
Calculate total energy expenditure.
- Total Contact Hours: 8
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 15
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 25
Module 3: The essentials of a good diet plan (1 ECTS)
This unit covers the practical aspects of a holistic view of nutrition. A practical approach of how to choose one’s food is the basis of this unit. It covers the relationship of food, its production and the effects on the environment. The unit will delve into the food available on the market. Making the right choices of food is also learning how to read food labels effectively and this aspect is also covered in this unit. Assessing one’s body composition is an important tool to help one in identifying a good nutrition plan. In this module the practical aspects to assess body composition using one method will be covered.
Identify one method used to assess body composition and know how to use this assessment method.
Understand the implications of one’s food choices and make responsible food choices for both personal health and environmental impact.
Demonstrate knowledge of different body composition assessment methods, including bio-electrical impedance, skin-fold calipers, and tape measurement.
Understand the inter-relationships between food and the environment.
Demonstrate knowledge of how to assess the food market.
Demonstrate knowledge of how to read and interpret food labels.
Apply knowledge and understanding in practice.
Assess body composition.
Read and interpret food labels.
Make quality food choices.
Appreciate different foods and their impact on the environment.
Analyse personal food choices.
Make food choices according to individual requirements.
Use effective communication to interact with individuals providing food choices.
Develop the ability to assess written communication, such as food labeling.
Assess own body composition.
Explore different foods, read food labels, and make effective, healthy food choices.
- Total Contact Hours: 3
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 5
- Self-Study Hours: 15
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 25
Module 4: Plan a personal nutritional Strategy. Healthy weight Management and hydration (1 ECTS)
The essentials of a sporting diet and the role of hydration are explored in this unit. The importance of assessing obesity and ‘What is obesity?’ are tackled in this module. As well as the implications of obesity in the population and associated problems. The consequences of being an overweight athlete are explored. The module also examines contemporary essentials of a sporting diet leading up to providing skills and exploring: The utility and know-how of keeping a food diaryin aiding to assess and plan one’s own diet, the essentials required for building one’s diet plan according to his/her needs. The principles of doping and the use of illegal substances are also examined.
Plan and conduct an assessment of one’s own diet.
Plan one’s own diet.
Define obesity and understand its implications in the population, including associated health problems.
Maintain a food diary to track dietary intake.
Understand the consequences of being an overweight athlete.
Identify weight loss strategies for achieving a leaner athletic body.
Identify and explain the function of water in the diet and its effects on the body.
List the causes and effects of dehydration and the resulting fatigue during and after exercise.
Indicate optimal fluid intake before, during, and after exercise.
Identify the goals of pre-exercise, during-exercise, and post-exercise food intake during training or competition.
Assess one’s own diet and keep a food diary.
Develop meal plans for pre-event and post-event meals, considering macro- and micro-nutrient utilization to enhance performance.
Identify obesity and understand its consequences and associated problems.
Identify doping categories and use resources to understand doping methods and substances.
Demonstrate knowledge of athlete diet and hydration requirements.
Demonstrate knowledge of obesity and its consequences.
Apply nutrition theories to build a personal nutrition and hydration plan.
Apply principles of nutrition and sports theory to manage overweight issues and improve performance using a healthy, systematic approach.
Identify various doping categories.
Describe and critically evaluate different theoretical approaches to diets.
Analyse contemporary issues and emerging trends within sports nutrition and their implications for practice.
Research dietary theories and discuss emerging diet trends.
Develop a personal hydration plan.
Develop a personal nutrition plan according to individual requirements.
Identify the best weight management strategy to positively impact sport performance.
- Total Contact Hours: 8
- Supervised Placement & Practice Hours: 0
- Self-Study Hours: 15
- Assessment Hours: 2
- Total Learning Hours of this Module: 25
Entry Requirements
Learners need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Age 16 +
- MQF Level 3 or equivalent qualification;
- Be able to communicate in the English Language
- Have an interest in Sport or Physical activity
- Holds a clean Police Conduct Certificate.