HLTH SC 3100 - Exercise, Nutrition & Metabolism

Optimal nutrition forms the foundation for good health and peak physical performance. Food provides both the macronutrients as fuel for exercise and the micronutrients for efficiently extracting and transferring energy into kinetic energy for movement. The search for the exact ‘nutritional balance’ for optimal metabolic function has consumed scientists and ignited public interest in the field. Yet, there remains a great deal of anecdotal dogma in the public domain regarding nutrition advice much of which is unsupported scientifically. Drawing its content from recent published scientific research this course explores how nutritional composition impacts on the regulation of body mass, exercise performance, and training responsiveness. Modules will cover the optimal fuel mix, fluid and electrolyte balance for peak physical performance. Further more, in response to the escalation in the incidence of metabolic diseases in Australia we shall address the interrelated roles of nutrition and physical activity for prevention and treatment of obesity and cardiovascular disease. During practical sessions students will have the opportunity to learn skills to assess body composition and markers of metabolic health. Course assignments will focus on applying their new found knowledge to design simple evidence based nutritional plans for exercise and a small group discovery project exploring the science behind sports nutrition supplements. This course will provide insight into the development and application of evidence-based nutritional practices and the knowledge gained will be of great benefit to those interested in sports and/or nutritional science.