Sports Nutrition Specialist SNS.S.STC

Short-term Certificate - 6 Credit Hours

Division: Health Sciences
Department: Health Technologies
Effective as of Fall 2023

What is the program about?

The sports nutrition specialist is equipped with the knowledge of evidence-based nutrition principles that include Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Dietary Reference Intakes, USDA Nutrition Guidelines, FDA Nutrition Guidelines, CDC Nutritional Guidelines, MyPlate, National Fruit & Vegetable Consumption Coalition, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics general nutrition guidelines and position papers. The sports nutrition specialist is trained to identify nutrition-related acute and chronic illness as well as disordered eating practices that can then be referred to a nutrition professional. Knowledge of macronutrients and their relationship with exercise and performance are provided. Ergogenic aids, supplements, and fad diets are reviewed for efficacy. The sports nutrition specialist certificate, in conjunction with an accredited personal training credential provides the nutrition knowledge for the trainer to provide general evidence-based nutrition principles to a healthy population as it applies to exercise and performance.

Program Outcomes

• Sports Foods and Supplements - Students will be able to describe sport-specific foods, supplements and ergogenic aids using evidence-based analyses.
• Fluid and Electrolyte Balance - Students will be able to Evaluate the effects of dehydration, over-hydration, hypothermia, and hyperthermia on training and performance.
• Disordered Eating - Students will be able to Identify athletes with sub-clinical disordered eating, clinical eating disorders, and related high risk factors for referral to a nutrition professional.
• Special Nutrition Populations - Students will be able to describe healthy nutritional foods to support vegetarians and those with various food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances.
• Energy for Training and Competition - Students will be able to identify energy consumption within a healthy nutrition plan, identifying any special issues related macronutrients.
• Energy Metabolism - Student will be able to describe energy metabolism during exercise training, competition, and recovery.
• Weight Management - Students will be able to analyze and describe the efficacy and safety of popular diets for weight management, health, and performance.

Career Opportunities

The Sports Nutrition Specialist certificate will provide a sports nutrition skill set that can be utilized in the Personal Training and Health Coaching workforce.

Credentials

The Sports Nutrition Specialist does not have any licensure or credentialing requirements.