This certificate is designed to impart the very latest cutting edge research on performance nutrition to sports and fitness enthusiasts. It is based on the exciting new branch of sports nutrition - ‘Functional Sports Nutrition’, which upholds that peak performance cannot be achieved without feeding the body for optimum health as well as optimum performance. The focus of the course is using nutrition analysis, diet and lifestyle changes alongside specially tailored supplements to maximise physical performance whilst ensuring that an individual has all the macro, micro and phytonutrients they require for optimum health and to prevent damage to the different systems of the body that can inadvertently be caused by exercise itself. This course is ideal for professionals who wish to add another dimension to the physical fitness training advice they are currently giving or for those with a personal interest in getting the most out of their sports and fitness regime.
This 2 month / 10 week certificate course, written to UK level 4 (Irish level 6) offers a practical and theoretical knowledge of the principles of personalised sports nutrition and how this approach best serves an individual interested in improving athletic performance. This knowledge is then applied to real cases along with the common barriers to fitness and peak performance. Students are given practical knowledge on nutrition, lifestyle and supplements in order to advise clients in formulating healthy eating programmes with a focus on maximizing physical performance and optimising health. This course is designed for those with existing nutrition knowledge and is ideally suited to those with a nutrition qualification at UK level 3 or 4. It is designed to allow those already giving nutrition advise to the general public to be able to give more tailored advice to amateur sports enthusiasts or those with very energetic lifestyles. It is not designed for those wishing to work with professional athletes.
- Course material constantly updated. The IHS academic team regularly attend Functional Medicine conferences in both Europe and the US, ensuring our lecturers teach the very latest research and theories
- Comprehensive and well structured study material supplied. Including presentation slides, written notes, case studies, video clips, quizzes and short answer questions and chances to reflect on your knowledge all designed to make the learning experience as interactive as possible
- Dynamic and interactive lecture weekends (in-class only). Designed to suit all learning types and engage students in the learning process. Lecture weekends include a mixture of formal lectures, group discussion, group exercises and case studies
- The IHS commitment to pastoral care and student support. IHS have a dedicated student support officer employed to help struggling students or those with specific learning difficulties. However we also have procedures in place to ensure all students have access to both staff and peer support whilst studying with IHS
- Add a new dimension to your existing nutrition practice. Broaden your potential client base to include sports and fitness enthusiasts
- Ideal for personal trainers and other fitness professionals wanting to ensure the nutrition advice they are giving is scientifically accurate. Ensure the advice you give will help not hinder clients
- Includes a number of case studies and advice on detailed dietary analysis. Goes beyond the theory of sports nutrition and gives students practical skills in dietary analysis and meal planning
- A cost effective way of ensuring your sports nutrition knowledge is cutting edge. Most training based on Functional Sports Nutrition principles is expensive and can involve significant travel. IHS have developed this affordable option to ensure more healthcare professionals get the benefit of this important information
This exciting and innovative blended learning certificate includes the study of:
- Energy metabolism and how this may impact an individual’s nutrition, lifestyle and supplement requirements
- How macronutrients are metabolised for use as energy in the body, with a focus on differences during strength and endurance training and the role of micronutrients in this process
- How different types of training/exercise will influence nutritional needs and metabolism of energy and how diet and nutrition will impact energy production and therefore performance
- The composition of common sports supplement products and the safety considerations associated with these supplements
- The principles of functional sports nutrition and how this approach best serves an individual interested in improving athletic performance
All theoretical and practical knowledge gained during this course will be applied to a number of case studies and real life cases ensuring graduates leave with an ability to produce a therapeutic food, supplement and lifestyle protocol suitable to a sports enthusiasts exercise requirements.
This certificate course runs over 2 weekends / 10 weeks with comprehensive home study material supplied.
All students are enrolled onto the IHS Learning Management System. Here you will find all course material, forums, quizzes, assessments etc in one place to help you organise your study and study material as efficiently as possible. You will also upload all assessments here and can also use it to communicate directly with module leaders, other members of staff and fellow students.
The minimum academic entry requirement for this course is a grade C at Junior Certificate or 4 GCSEs grades A to C (preferably including a science subject). Equivalent international qualifications will also be accepted. A background in sports and fitness coaching or a nutrition qualification at UK level 3 or 4 would be advantageous as is a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology. However anybody with a passion for fitness, food, nutrition and health will be considered.
Applicants with Prior Learning and Experiential Prior Learning will also be considered. All knowledge, skills and competencies accumulated through life and work experience will be considered.
