Exercise Nutrition

Marie Dunford, Ph.D., R.D.

This interactive, online study guide is designed to help you understand and apply the basic principles of exercise nutrition. It is supplemented by the Exercise Nutrition course text. In the course you will assume the role of a newly hired fitness trainer at a company called Fitness, Inc., where you will be starting a six-day orientation to your job. During your orientation period, Fitness, Inc.'s head trainer will introduce you to concepts you'll need to be familiar with in order to do your job well. She will also refer you to Fitness, Inc.’s registered dietitian, who will present activities that will help you apply the concepts you'll be learning. The main focus of the six-day orientation is exercise nutrition, and the following topics will be covered:

Day 1: The Fuel Supply

You'll learn about the nutrients needed to fuel exercise of varying intensities and duration. We'll also discuss the effect of training on the body's use of these nutrients.

Day 2: Carbohydrates

We'll talk about the role of carbohydrates in exercise and the amount recommended for various athletes.

Day 3: Training Effect

We'll examine the role of training in helping athletes become better fat burners. We'll also consider the role of fat and of exercise in preventing heart disease.

Day 4: Protein

We'll give you information on the amount of protein that strength-trained, endurance-trained, and recreational athletes need.

Day 5: Dehydration

You'll learn about dehydration and how you can detect and prevent it.

Day 6: Vitamins and Minerals

We'll focus on the nutrients needed to support optimal functioning of the body systems that are critical to exercise. In addition, we'll talk about the need for vitamin and mineral supplements.

Course Test

When you finish the course, you will take a final course exam. This is a timed exam. You’ve learned to apply psychological concepts to sport and exercise and you’ve worked with the design of programs and in discussions with athletes and recreational exercisers. You should review your notes and the resource materials before accessing the exam.

System Requirements

This course is designed to work best when your computer and Internet browser are configured to the following technical requirements and setup specifications:

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