As people realize that there is a dearth of information in the world to study, the study of the world becomes more specialized in order for information to be manageably processed for particular purposes. The study of medicine, for example, brought forth a specialization in sports medicine. The study of sports and also of nutrition was further compartmentalized into sports nutrition.
Sports nutrition as a higher education course has been attracting interest among younger generations. As the world population turns to sports for physical health as well as entertainment, sports nutrition attracts a lot of attention and revenues and people specializing in increasing sports performance are very much in demand.
Sports Nutrition education focuses on understanding how the body functions during exercise and sport. Maximizing athletic potential and minimizing health risks associated with sporting activity are two of the main topics of study in Sports Nutrition Education.
Students of this course will consider the role of exercise in healthy lifestyles, and in the treatment of various diseases, with emphasis on interaction between nutrition (diet) and physical performance.
Sports Nutrition education also provides the scientific background, specific knowledge and skills to address concepts and controversies relating to sports nutrition, sports physiology and to explore the links between nutrition, physiology, performance and health outcomes through the life cycle.
Sports nutrition education integrates principles of nutrition and exercise physiology and application to exercising individuals. Common topics for discussion include energy expenditure, fuel substrate metabolism, specific nutrient needs, ergogenic aids, hydration, and weight issues for exercising individuals and athletes.
In personal sports and fitness training, for example, the optimum way to get the most out of their workouts and feel their best is by designing an energizing, performance-enhancing nutrition plan, tailored specific needs of their bodies.
Sport Nutrition education includes learning how to enhance client’s workouts and maximize their results with proper nutrition, safe and effective sports supplements, and beneficial vitamins and minerals.
This is a sample module from a university that offers Sports Nutrition in the collegiate level:
Level 1
Studies include an introduction to learning and assessment in higher education and the wider context of your subject.
- Basic Sports Science
- Science for Sport
- Human Physiology
- Data Analysis
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Professional Studies
- Functional Anatomy
Level 2
This level addresses issues related to hire-ability and professional practice.
- Exercise Physiology I
- Nutritional Physiology and Biochemistry I
- Human Nutrition
- Research Methods
- Nutritional Physiology and Biochemistry II
- Biomechanics, Sport Psychology, Physical Performance Assessment
Level 3
Level 3 further develops your skills in independent problem identification and analysis.
- Exercise Physiology II
- Applied and Environmental Physiology
- Energy Metabolism
- Muscle Structure and Function
- Sensory and Motor Physiology
- Sports Nutrition
In practical terms, students of sports nutrition education learn:
- How nutrients are taken in and how foods are digested and metabolized to provide necessary energy to fuel muscular activity.
- Dietary patterns that maximize performance and prevent disease.
- Research advancements in ergogenic aids.
- Supplementation and the pros and cons of popular diet techniques.
- Sample eating plans showing how to fuel for specific workouts.
- How to distinguish among food, diet, and supplement options and understand which are best and why.
- How to overcome food and weight obsessions.
- How to lose undesired body fat while maintaining energy for exercise.
- Strategies to boost energy, reduce stress, control weight, improve health & enhance workouts.
Employment opportunities
While enrolled in a Sports Nutrition Education program, it is still possible to have relevant employment. Work placement can also be advantageous as it also provides you with the benefits of industry experience.
The degree is excellent preparation for anyone planning a career in the sports and fitness industries such as corporate health and fitness. The program is also good for those particularly considering a specialization in the nutritional aspects of performance enhancement.
The graduate of this course can penetrate family and community services, local or state government agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, institutes of sports, universities and colleges and also personal training. However, the graduate of Sport Nutrition is not qualified to be a dietitian.
Sports Nutrition education also provides a systematic, general, scientific training suitable for a wide assortment of careers. Many students also continue onto a PGCE or Masters course in a related area.
Archive for January, 2010
Basic Guide To Sports Nutrition Education
Thursday, January 28th, 2010Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle Review: Does Wii Fit Work for Me?
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010You’ve heard so much about Wii Fit, and many of you might have the question on your mind “Does Wii Fit Work?” I bought my Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle online three months ago. During the past three months, I’ve been playing the Wii Fit Starter Bundle on regular basis. So I’d be glad to share my Wii Fit workout experience with you.What’s in the Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle?I placed an order online and received my Wii Fit Starter Bundle in the mail three days later. I couldn’t contain my excitement while opening the package. The package included my long-awaited Wii Fit game and Balance Board. I already got my Wii game console earlier this year along with all the necessary accessories such as the Wii remotes and nunchuck, so I was ready to start playing Wii Fit right away.Exercises included in the Wii Fit Starter BundleThere are over 40 different types of training activities offered by Wii Fit, including traditional exercises such as step aerobics, jogging, as well as modern stress busters such as Yoga and meditation. You can also choose other fund exercises such as Hula Hoops, Snowboarding and rhythm boxing. The exercises offered by Wii Fit are so diverse that every member of your family will find their favorite ones no matter how old or physically active they are. The pressure-sensitive balance board that comes with the Wii Fit Starter Bundle can hold up to a maximum of 300 pounds. Since quite a few of the Wii Fit games are based on player’s balance of her body, this is where the balance board comes in. Similar to a step aerobics board in appearance, the Wii Fit Balance Board can also measure player’s performance as well as weight, which alongside the height, age and gender determine the player’s Body Mass Index (BMI). My Workout experience with Wii Fit Starter Bundle I set up my Wii Fit system as soon as I got the bundle. Firstly, I entered basic personal data such as height, age and gender as instructed by Wii console. The machine calculated my BMI and my fitness level shortly. After my profile creation was complete, I was ready to start getting a taste of Wii Fit. I am always a fan of Strength Training. So I started with muscle-toning exercises such as Leg lift, Squat, Lunge and more. Wii Fit offered Push-up challenge and it was quite fun. I also played Yoga with the Wii balance board. I have been practicing Yoga for quite a while, so I had no problem in catching up with Yoga poses included in the Wii Fit, such as Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, Shoulder Stand, Warrior and more. It was actually quite interesting to play Yoga with Wii Fit. My favorite exercise so far is Hula Hoop. It was quite challenging to keep the hoops in the air in the beginning. After a couple of days’ training, I learned how to balance myself. After that, keeping all the hoops in the air while catching some more was really enjoyable. And it was a great workout too.Does Wii Fit Work for me?I have been playing with Wii Fit for 40 minutes a day, 3 days per week, during the past three months. Here is the result I’d like to share with you: I lost 4 pounds so far and dropped from size 8 to size 6. I eat like usual during these three months. So I think Wii Fit does work for me, and I will keep exercising and shaping up with Wii Fit.Will Wii Fit work for you?Many of you might be on the fence asking “Will Wii Fit work for me?” My answer is “Yes, it will. As long as you do it right and do it regularly.” Don’t get me wrong, Wii Fit is not going to make you lose weight if you eat excessively and doing 10 minutes a day on Wii Fit. You have to watch your lifestyle and diet too. If you exercise with Wii Fit regularly with a healthy diet, you will be happy to see the result 3 months later just as I did. Wii Fit is like a home gym membership to some extent. However it is much more fun, and provides more motivations to get people started, especially for those who don’t have time hitting the gym every other day, or just simply don’t like go to the gym. Wii Fit turns the exercises into a fun experience. And there are so many activities included in the Wii Fit game that you wouldn’t feel bored at all. To sum up, Wii Fit works for me, and it will work for you as long as you manage your expectation and keep a long-time commitment. WiiConsoleDeals.com is a specialized Wii for sale site that lists up to the minute deals on the Wii consoles, Wii Fit and other popular Wii games and accessories. Be sure to try this website when shopping for Wii Fit bundle.
Shopping for Health Insurance When You Are Self-Employed
Thursday, January 21st, 2010The group health insurance rates at my day job increased 33% this year, after rising just over 30% last year. I have a family of three, and the new health insurance rates are now 11% of my salary, which in my opinion, is too high (while I won’t disclose my actual salary, I will state that I earn a fair amount). The new health insurance rates made me think about getting individual health insurance for my family.Group vs. individual health insurance? Before we go further, it is important to understand the difference between individual health insurance and group health insurance. Basically, group health insurance plans guarantee all members of the group coverage, regardless of their health risk. Because coverage is guaranteed with group plans, they can be more expensive for relatively healthy individuals than an individual plan, which is priced based on your specific health history. In my case, my family and I are healthy, so it is a good idea to investigate individual health insurance options.Determine your health insurance needs to find the best planWhen comparing health insurance plans, it’s important to make sure you are not only comparing apples to apples, but also getting the best plan for your needs. Make sure you get the best health insurance plan for your needs, whether that is an HMO plan, PPO plan, high deductible health insurance plan with a health savings account, hybrid, or other. [More on health insurance options].Finding and purchasing health insurance while self-employedOne of the biggest concerns among the self employed individuals is health insurance costs, which can be expensive. Some self-employed individuals may be eligible for a group health insurance plan if they meet certain criteria, or they may be eligible for other health benefits, such as COBRA benefits. For example, if you are leaving a traditional job to become self-employed, you may be eligible for COBRA. If you are not leaving a job that offers health insurance, then ignore the tip regarding COBRA coverage.