Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description After natural talent and appropriate training, nutrition is arguably the next most important factor influencing sports performance. This module provides an understanding of the role of food and nutrition strategies to enhance athletic performance by supporting best practice in fuelling, recovery, and adaptation. Students are introduced to both the foundations of nutrition science (dietary requirements, energy balance, macro- and micronutrients, and nutrient metabolism), and their application in exercise and sports and performance contexts. Foods will be discussed with reference to their composition of fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. A key focus of the module is the synergistic effect of nutrition to support exercise training for optimising performance. Later in the module, focus is given to practical applications of current nutrition guidelines including meal planning and provision, food choices, and both broad and goal-orientated nutrition strategies. Coursework in this module includes (i) analysis of a 7 day food and activity diary with meal plan design, (ii) critical appraisal of a key question in contemporary sports nutrition, (iii) a micro-lecture on the value of a chosen dietary supplement in a sports context, and (iv) group work for case-based learning (CBL) in sports nutrition. Because Generative AI (GenAI) is often used by practitioners in sport in the real world, selected assessments will encourage the use of GenAI, while also requiring students to reflect on its accuracy and value to the assessment at hand. All course materials including summary lecture notes and recommended resources will be available on Loop prior to each topic being delivered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. reflect on the fundamental principles of nutrition science and evolution of dietary guidelines for health and sport 2. recognise the physiological and metabolic demands of exercise and how these influence nutrition requirements of athletes to recreational participants 3. summarise the role of nutrition in enhancing sports performance 4. record, analyse and make nutrition recommendations based on a portion estimate food diary 5. differentiate between nutrition strategies for affecting change in body composition for health and performance 6. appreciate the short- and long-term risks of inappropriate nutrition in relation to exercise and health 7. search for and critically-appraise scientific literature 8. develop and present a nutrition strategy to address a real-world case study in either a sport OR health-related context | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Indicative syllabus Keys concepts in sport and exercise nutrition; Energy balance, intake and expenditure; Macronutrients I: Carbohydrate; Macronutrients II: Protein; Macronutrients III: Fat; Micronutrients; Sports and dietary supplements; Hydration; Practical sports nutrition I: Preparing for performance; Practical sports nutrition II: During performance; Practical sports nutrition III: Recovery; Nutrition strategies to alter body composition in athletes; Nutrition knowledge and communication with athletes; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books: None Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||