Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition
Our new Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition is designed for professionals in the field looking to upskill and broaden their scope, including sport and exercise scientists, sports medicine physicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, dietitians, and GPs and nurse practitioners.
This flexible, part-time, online Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition will not only give you a solid foundation in nutrition, but also in physiology. Our sports and exercise nutrition education has been designed to align with the standards set by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr), the leading professional organisation for performance nutritionists in the UK and globally.
Subject to validation
Next intake: September 2024Key Facts
Nutrition is a vital factor not only for elite athletes but also for individuals engaging in recreational exercise. This certificate in sports and exercise nutrition equips you with the expertise needed to guide athletes, tailoring nutritional strategies for improved strength, endurance, and recovery.
For healthcare professionals addressing lifestyle-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, the knowledge gained here can be applied to promote healthier eating habits, leading to enhanced overall health and well-being.
The successful completion of our sports nutrition course will enable graduates to:
- Provide an advanced study of issues in sport and exercise nutrition to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based care and best practice.
- Prepare for and/or develop skills at a professional level, or as preparation for research or further study in the area.
- Develop positive and critical attitudes towards key areas in sport and exercise nutrition, so as to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the environment.
Subject To Validation
This programme has not yet been validated by a University partner. We are accepting applications for this course on the basis that it will shortly be validated. Please note that all applications are subject to this validation being approved.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Nicki de Villiers
Current Role: Founder and Consulting Dietician, The Sports Performance Hub
Nicki graduated as a dietitian at the University of Pretoria and then completed a postgraduate diploma through...
Subject to validation
Next intake: September 2024 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Nicki de Villiers
Current Role: Founder and Consulting Dietician, The Sports Performance Hub
Nicki graduated as a dietitian at the University of Pretoria and then completed a postgraduate diploma through the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland and a Master’s degree in dietetics.
Her career started as dietitian at Charlotte Maxeka Hospital and later in private practice at Pretoria Heart Hospital. She then developed an interest in sport nutrition whilst playing basketball at national level.
She is currently working as a private consulting dietitian at her own practice at The Sports Performance Hub in Hatfield.
Nicki consults for various PSL teams, professional rugby teams, the Comrades Marathon Association and individual athletes at Olympic and recreational levels.
She is a part-time lecturer of sport nutrition for students studying sport science, biokinetics, dietetics and medical doctors specializing in sport at the University of Pretoria.
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Why Study a Sport & Exercise Nutrition Postgraduate Certificate with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
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Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
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All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
The part time, distance learning PGCert in sports and exercise nutrition is specifically designed for current and aspiring sport and exercise nutritionists who have a desire to upskill and broaden their scope of practise within the field.
The individuals suitable for our MSc in sports nutrition distance learning course would typically be:
- Sport & exercise scientists
- Sports medicine physicians
- Physiotherapists
- Nutritionists
- Dietitians
How Will I Learn?
You will be supported throughout your studies by a committed team of internationally recognised educational experts.
Our courses are conducted through our interactive online learning platform, log in daily whenever and wherever you want. No fixed timetable empowers you to study when it suits you
These usually occur within groups of 10-20 students, allowing you to clearly communicate with both your tutor and fellow students.
Curriculum
Our online Sports and Exercise Nutrition Certification allows you to study for just six months and is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course is worth 60 credits and comprises three modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.Module Aims
This module aims to develop the student’s understanding of the different physiological systems and concepts of the human body. Students will be able to develop an appreciation of how these systems contribute to normal physiological functioning during homeostasis and imbalance.
Module Content
- Musculoskeletal system, including power and strength
- Cardiovascular system, respiration and aerobic fitness
- Neuro-endocrine system
- Immune system
- Fluid, electrolyte balance and thermoregulation
- Principles and components of fitness
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a systematic, extensive and comparative knowledge and understanding of the importance of an in-depth knowledge of physiology and health.
- Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in human physiology.
- Undertake critical evaluation of scenarios involving human physiology in sport and exercise and interpret these into current employment.
- Demonstrate a critical evaluation of the literature and successful decision awareness in human physiology to formulate appropriate solutions for the student’s practice; evidence-based decision making.
- Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.
Module Aims
This module aims to develop the student’s practical and theoretical skills essential to understand the digestive system and the requirements of human nutrition to optimise health, especially in the terms of the relevant evidence-based guidelines and the latest research relating to food and health.
The student will develop analytical skills to enable them to assess the adequacy of nutritional intake as applied to general populations and subgroups of populations to include ethnicity and/or cultural differences. An awareness of the effect of nutrient deficiencies and excesses on health and an appreciation of the role of diet in various nutrition related diseases will be developed.
The student will also be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of professional conduct, good working practice and competency in nutritional assessment.
Module Content
- Digestion, absorption and excretion
- Energy, macronutrients
- Micronutrients
- Dietary assessment and recommended intakes
- Contribution of nutritional deficiencies to disease
- The effects of disease on nutrition requirements
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a systematic, extensive and comparative knowledge and understanding of nutrients, the metabolism thereof and their role in health.
- Critically evaluate current issues and research in human nutrition.
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the unique complexities of nutrition and the human mechanisms supporting this.
- Undertake critical evaluation of scenarios involving human nutrition in sport and exercise and interpret these into current employment.
- Critical evaluation of the literature and successful decision awareness in human nutrition to formulate appropriate solutions for the student’s practice; evidence-based decision making.
Module Aims
This module aims to develop the student’s theoretical understanding and appreciation of the integration between physiological and biochemical responses to physical activity. This will include analysis and assessment of testing methods available. It also aims to help students develop the knowledge and skills to translate the principles of Sport and Exercise Nutrition into foods and eating patterns appropriate to client lifestyles.
Module Content
- Carbohydrate metabolism
- Lipid metabolism
- Protein and amino acid metabolism in muscle
- The regulation of ATP synthesis in skeletal muscle
- Physiological adaptations to exercise
- Laboratory techniques and field testing in sport and exercise nutrition
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a systematic, extensive and comparative knowledge and understanding to select relevant laboratory and field-testing techniques for the assessment of health and performance within the scope of practice of a sport and exercise nutrition practitioner.
- Take an international and ethical/sustainable perspective on nutrition practices in exercise.
- Merge theoretical facts, ideas and critically evaluate nutrition literature in support of sport and exercise.
- Application of combined professional knowledge with nutrition skills to improve exercise nutrition delivery in complex situations.
- Exercise of initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
Assessment Methods
The Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition places assessments at the heart of the learning process through the employment of real life scenarios to enhance problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based practice. Since the scenarios act as a focus for learning and assessment, the two are intrinsically linked.
The three modules on the course have the same assessment format and for all modules, you will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor. Your tutor will then facilitate case discussions with the group, whilst monitoring, assessing and marking your work throughout. You will also participate in a combination of module activities that may be group and/or individual based, dependent on the module.
These innovative teaching methods enable you to envisage the translation of your studies into your every day work and practice. Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to regularly login and participate in the course - ideally on a daily basis. Students are recommended to spend around two hours per day on their studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way.
The online reflective journal is a learning portfolio that requires the students to record and critically reflect on their learning. Reflection is an important aspect of the programme as the professionals will be able to spend time considering how their practice compares to the themes being discussed in the module. The tutor provides regular feedback to the student and marks it at the end of the module.
Reflective practice is a requirement for healthcare professionals for both professional re-validation and professional development.
Case problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination with multiple-choice ‘single best answer’ questions directly test the reasoning and knowledge objectives of the module. The online examination is marked automatically. The examination tests Anti-Ageing Medicine related theory and problem-solving skills.
The group activity is designed to stimulate and test the students’ ability to work as a team in taking the subject area forward. A group task is set, the group elects a leader using the online forum (designed to put leadership skills into practice) and the leader allocates tasks to group members.
The leader is responsible for managing, collating and submitting the activity (online) at the end of the module. The tutor provides formative guidance part way through the module and marks the assessment at the end.
Examples of individual activities might include either a written assignment, poster, blog or social media project.
All students must complete the same assignment for each module that is predetermined by the programme Leader before the modules commence. Students are not provided with an option to choose.
Students are required to critically analyse clinically focused case-based scenarios, discussion threads and weekly questions posed by their tutors via the Academic Forum (an online discussion board) and designed to meet the module learning outcomes. Here, students make their own researched and referenced contributions and interact with the tutor and their fellow students. There is no didactic teaching, instead, students are posed questions and prompted to search the literature, read it critically and respond. Engagement is encouraged by the tutor prompting students to respond and the use of automated activity monitoring software.
At the end of each module, the tutor allocates marks to each student based on a marking rubric. The rubric takes into account the following elements:
· Promptness and initiative
· Delivery of post (spelling and grammar)
· The relevance of post and referencing
· Expression within the post
Entry requirements
Our online sports nutrition courses are delivered entirely online, making them accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare or related field, such as a medical or nursing degree.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered for our distance learning sports nutrition diploma on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@learna.ac.uk for more information on the qualifications we accept.
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