Chapter 8
Exercise and Sport Nutrition
Introduction
Chapter 8 shows how students who are interested in exercise and sport nutrition might be able to gain employment in their area of interest. The chapter begins with an outline of current research in various aspects of sport- and health-related nutrition. A brief history of nutrition is outlined, along with the tools researchers use to study various topics in exercise nutrition. Academic training and certifications are discussed in some depth, as well as employment opportunities in various areas of dietetics and exercise and sport nutrition. The chapter concludes with a list of journals, newsletters, organizations, and other sources of information in the field of nutrition that may be helpful to students.
Chapter Objectives
After studying this chapter, students will be able to do the following:
- Define dietetics, food science, and exercise or sport nutrition and explain the differences among them.
- Discuss areas of study in nutrition research.
- Be familiar with the tools and techniques that researchers use in nutrition use.
- Give a brief history of the field of nutrition.
- Outline education/certification procedures and requirements for individuals in various areas of dietetics and exercise and sport nutrition.
- Examine employment opportunities in nutrition.
- Be familiar with professional journals and organizations available in nutrition.
Study Questions
- Define exercise/sport nutrition. How does it differ from the more general area of nutrition?
- Describe the types of questions researchers in exercise nutrition are attempting to answer regarding the use of various nutrients to ensure optimal performance.
- Discuss the potential for vitamin and mineral supplementation to impact athletic performance.
- List the risk factors for developing heart disease and explain the role of exercise physiologists and dieticians in helping individuals modify these factors.
- Describe the ways in which knowledge in nutrition is being used to help people (a) recover from injuries and disease, and (b) prevent disease and injuries.
- Briefly outline the historical roots of the modern-day discipline of nutrition.
- Briefly describe the following procedures and techniques and explain how each is used in nutrition research: muscle biopsy, blood/urine analysis, calorimetry (direct and indirect), body composition assessment, nutrigenomics, and dietary recall and analysis.
- Outline the two methods of obtaining an RDN credential.
- Describe how a person goes about becoming a sports dietitian. Include academic and practical experiences that may help a person interested in working with athletes find a job.
- Describe typical undergraduate and graduate programs in nutrition. List important factors to consider when choosing a college or university’s program in nutrition and related degree programs.
- Explain the difference among dietetics, food science, and exercise nutrition and describe employment opportunities available in each discipline.
- Outline a job description for a sports dietician working in the following settings: a large NCAA Division I university, a professional sports team, a cardiac rehabilitation facility. Include possible duties associated with each position.
- List five journals that publish research in the fields of nutrition and exercise nutrition.
Student Activities
- Have small groups of students discuss the pros and cons of having private companies, such as the Gatorade Company, involved in the research process.
- Ask students to write a brief report on the importance of licensure to practicing dietitians.
- Have students who are interested in the field of sports and exercise nutrition develop a program explaining how they should prepare for a career in exercise and sport nutrition and how they can successfully market themselves upon completion of their education.
Lab 1
Skinfold Assessment
Lab 2
Three Day Dietary Analysis Using Super Tracker
Quizzes
Suggested Readings
- Campbell, B., & Spano, M. (Eds.). (2011). NSCA’s guide to sport and exercise nutrition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
- Clark, N. (2014). Nancy Clark’s sports nutrition guidebook (5th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
- Dunford, M. and Doyle, A. J. (2012). Nutrition for sport and exercise. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cernage Learning.
- Greenwood, M., Cooke, M. B., Ziegenfuss, T. Kalman, D. S., & Antonio, J. (Eds.). (2015). Nutritional supplements in sports and exercise. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.
- Watson, R., Gerald, J., & Preedy, V. (2011). Nutrients, dietary supplements, and nutriceuticals: cost analysis versus clinical benefits. Springer Science + Business Media, LLC.
Links
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
USDA Choose My Plate
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
International Society of Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics
ISSN (International Society for Sport Nutrition)