Module: Sport & Exercise Nutrition

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sport & Exercise Nutrition
Module Code	SPO1021 (ITS: SS213)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Health & Human Performance
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E495283-9654-0001-59E5-1FD616B0EA20
2. reflect on the fundamental principles of nutrition science and evolution of dietary guidelines for health and sport
4. 7
5. 1
6. 1E495283-9CB4-0001-5362-114623604F50
7. recognise the physiological and metabolic demands of exercise and how these influence nutrition requirements of athletes to recreational participants
9. 7
10. 2
11. 1E495283-A173-0001-9E35-E7DF8016E8A0
12. summarise the role of nutrition in enhancing sports performance
14. 7,8
15. 3
16. 1E495283-A698-0001-347F-B91662F71AD0
17. record, analyse and make nutrition recommendations based on a portion estimate food diary
19. 8,9
20. 4
21. 1E495283-ACC0-0001-1CBC-726084C0FFA0
22. differentiate between nutrition strategies for affecting change in body composition for health and performance
24. 9,10
25. 5
26. 1E495283-B95F-0001-918F-2B3E3376A8A0
27. appreciate the short- and long-term risks of inappropriate nutrition in relation to exercise and health
29. 7,8
30. 6
31. 1E495283-BE62-0001-615B-13AE59CDFAE0
32. search for and critically-appraise scientific literature
34. 9,10,11
35. 7
36. 1E495283-C257-0001-4EC1-E2401A801E6F
37. develop and present a nutrition strategy to address a real-world case study in either a sport OR health-related context
39. 8,9,10,11
40. 8

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	No Description
Independent Study	40	No Description
Directed learning	36	No Description
Total Workload: 124

Section Breakdown
CRN	11579	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Brendan Egan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Food diary analysis and meal plan design	20%	Week 4
Assignment	Critical appraisal	20%	Week 7
Presentation	Micro-lecture	20%	Sem 1 End
Group assignment	Case study in sport and exercise nutrition	40%	Every Week

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

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;

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None