Module 1: Nutritional requirements

Nutrition for sports performance

1. Introduction to the unit
2. Nutrition basics: Nutrients
   1. Carbohydrates
   2. Fat
   3. Protein
3. Water
4. Vitamins
5. Minerals
6. Fibre
7. Components of the diet activity

Introduction to the unit

Sports performance is about physical performance, psychological skills and nutrition. Most athletes' will work intensely on their physical and mental preparation for competition, but very few work on their nutrition strategies to ensure that they have the correct fuel for performance.

There are many myths surrounding nutrition and sports performance, the simple message is eat sensibly, eat a balanced diet and eat foods that will naturally increase performance. This unit looks at the facts of nutrition, to help give the sports performer an understanding of why nutrition should play a crucial part in training.

By the end of this unit you will:

• Know the nutritional requirements of a selected sport
• Be able to assess own diet
• Be able to plan a personal nutritional strategy
• Be able to implement and review a personal nutritional strategy.