SP5032 - Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition

What will I learn on this module?

This module will give you an insight into the vital role nutrition can play in optimising sport performance, whilst also recognising that those who exercise recreationally can also benefit highly from appropriate nutritional strategies. You will conduct practical nutrition sessions and learn about different dietary and energy requirements of athletes and exercising individuals, alongside gaining experience of appropriate nutritional and dietary assessment and analytical tools. Furthermore, you will learn about issues related to sport and exercise nutrition, such as nutritional demands on performance and exercise (pre-during and post nutritional requirements) and current dietary issues within sport and exercise populations.

How will I learn on this module?

The taught content will be delivered and provided in a variety of formats, and you will be able to access materials on the eLP. There will be the opportunity to work in smaller groups with discipline specific members of staff who will facilitate context driven discussion and learning.
Practical laboratory sessions will provide you with the opportunity to see first-hand the impact differing nutritional strategies have on exercise performance and indeed the impact of exercise on nutritional status. Given the development of such ‘real-world’ employability skills, this module will prepare you for modules in your third year. You will also be set independent tasks informed by key literature to complete outside of class time to further develop your understanding of the taught content.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Module information, assessment requirements and expectations, and important module announcements will be made through the eLP. Material to support your learning will be uploaded in advance of sessions. You will be provided with content verbally and guided through tasks during timetabled sessions. You will have the opportunity to apply the learning content into real-life context and applying theory into practice using practical and laboratory-based sessions, this will develop your skills going forward. A dedicated assessment session will afford you the opportunity to ask assessment related questions in class. The Module Leader is there to support you with any queries that you may have about the module content, and all staff members provide tutorial time outside of class time. Module tutors will provide you with the necessary information on how to arrange a tutorial. You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on your development during the module, and you will receive feedback on summative work to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial. There are also further academic skills support available from the University Library services. If this module is in option pot two for your programme, you will receive advice and guidance at a module options event to help you make an informed decision about how it fits with your own academic and professional development. Online pre-learning material will be made available to help you prepare for the module.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Be able to apply your theoretical underpinning knowledge of sport, exercise, and nutrition in real-world contexts.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. You will be able to provide evidence-based nutritional advice in relation to an individual’s goals and preferences and the requirements of their specific sport or exercise regimen;
3. Identify methods available to sport and exercise nutritionists for the assessment of body composition, energy intake and energy expenditure and successfully analyse, present, and interpret this information.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. You will be able to convey evidence-based sport or exercise nutritional recommendations to both an academic and ‘lay’ audience;
5. You will maintain high standards of ethics and professional practice when working with clients.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment will be a written case study (2,500 words). The case study requires students to work with an exercising client or athlete and apply the learned content to a real-life situation.

This will be a one-point assessment worth 100%, which will address all the module learning outcomes (KU 1, IPSA 2,3; PVA 3,4).

Formative Feedback
Formative feedback will form a large part of students directed learning and will be given on a continuing basis providing them with all the information they would need to prepare for the assessment. Relevant activities will take place in taught sessions, which will enable students to gain feedback and reflect upon their knowledge and understanding. An additional session will be provided to support the summative assessment.

Summative Feedback
You will receive written or audio feedback on your summative assessment to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is designed to give you an insight into the vital role nutrition can play in optimising sport performance, whilst also recognising that those who exercise recreationally can also benefit highly from appropriate nutritional strategies. Building upon your underpinning knowledge of human physiology and exercise physiology, you will start to apply this to the field of sport and exercise nutrition. You will learn about different dietary and energy requirements of athletes and exercising individuals. You will conduct practical sessions in Northumbria’s state of the art, BASES accredited laboratories, an exciting and stimulating place to develop your practical skills and gain experience of appropriate nutritional and dietary assessment and analytical tools. These practical laboratory sessions will provide you with the opportunity to see first-hand the impact differing nutritional strategies have on exercise performance and indeed the impact of exercise on nutritional status. Furthermore, you will explore various nutritional strategies for sports and exercise domains.

Course info
modern university of the year

UCAS Code C610

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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