Sports Nutrition

It is recommended that students have basic knowledge of Clinical Nutrition.

Theoretical lectures presenting the syllabus content, based on robust and up-to-date scientific evidence, and the corresponding application of this content in the practical dimension, including discussion of scientific articles with students. The theoretical–practical classes will be mainly supported by the resolution of case studies and will also be based on questioning (inquiry-based) methods.

1. Understand the physiological, metabolic, and nutritional bases of physical exercise and sports;
2. Assess the specific and individual nutritional needs of each sporting context, according to training and competition demands;
3. Identify the different nutrients and substances used as energy substrates during physical exercise;
4. Identify the main macronutrients, their composition, food sources, and functions in the body;
5. Understand hydration recommendations for athletes, considering the specific aspects of thermoregulation in the sporting context;
6. Develop a dietary plan according to the athletes’ competitive calendar, based on the type of sport;
7. Understand the basic concepts related to fat mass loss and muscle mass gain processes, and be able to develop a dietary plan that meets nutritional recmmendations for different body composition goals;
8. Understand recommendations for the intake of nutritional supplements in the sporting context, mastering the application of individualized supplementation protocols;
9. Know nutritional approaches for specific target populations, namely the young athlete.

1. Physiological and biochemical bases of nutritional intervention in sports
2. Energy metabolism and fatigue factors in physical exercise
3. Nutritional assessment of athletes
4. Nutritional requirements (energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, and hydration) in different sports (endurance, intermittent, and strength/power)
5. Nutritional intervention for fat mass reduction and muscle hypertrophy
6. Supplementation in sports
7. Nutrition and sports injury (prevention and treatment)
8. Nutrition in the young athlete and the female athlete
9. Nutrition on competition day
10. Nutrition education in the sports context
11. Data management and organization tools in the context of sports nutrition

Students may enrol in one of the following Assessment Schemes for the attribution of a final grade in the present Curricular Unit (CU):

Assessment Scheme A - Continuous Assessment

Under this assessment scheme, the final grade is obtained through the weighted average of two assessment components: a theoretical component and a theoretical/practical component.

The theoretical assessment component consists of a written test conducted during class time, accounting for 60% of the final CU grade. A minimum grade of 9.5 out of 20 is required in this component for students to pass the CU.

The theoretical/practical component of the Continuous Assessment accounts for 40% of the final CU grade and is divided into several assessment subcomponents with different weightings:

• Analysis and presentation of a scientific article (15%)
• Preparation of supporting materials for the field trip (15%)
• Participation and active involvement in practical tasks during theoretical-practical classes (10%)
• Resolution and presentation of a clinical case study (60%)

A minimum grade of 9.5 out of 20 is required in each of these four subcomponents of the theoretical/practical Continuous Assessment component for students to pass the CU.

Assessment Scheme B - Final Exame (Written Exam)

Under this assessment scheme, students will complete a written exame, consisting of one section assessing the content taught in the theoretical classes and another section requiring the resolution of problems/practical cases, similar to the assignments carried out during the theoretical-practical classes. The first part of the exam, related to the content taught in the theoretical classes, will account for 60% of the final grade, while the other part, corresponding to the resolution of problems/practical cases, will account for 40% of the final grade.

Students must obtain a minimum grade of 9.5 out of 20 in either theoretical and theoretical-practical parts of the Final Exame in order to pass the CU.

NAO