IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition
About the program
Course Delivery and Structure
Part 1 Foundations of Sports Nutrition
Part 2 Practical Sports Nutrition
Annual Residential Workshops
About the program
The Diploma course is offered by Distance Learning on a part-time basis and takes two years to complete. The number of places on each intake will be limited.
The Diploma consists of two parts:
- Part 1 Foundations of Sports Nutrition January - October
- Part 2 Practical Sports Nutrition January - October
Delivery of the course involves a variety of teaching methods, including lectures in electronic format, web-based materials, paper-based reading, on-line “chat room” and other Internet based activities and residential workshops.
Each part of the program consists of lectures in electronic format, supported by directed private study, and includes formal assessment elements.
Course Delivery and Structure
Lectures consist of computer-based presentations with audio and video, and incorporate self-assessment and interactive elements where appropriate.
Lecture material is supplemented by a program of directed study, including review papers and original research publications.
Students are provided with a comprehensive portfolio of reading material in electronic format. Core course textbooks and a subscription to the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism are provided to all students as part of the registration fee.
Each course includes regular assignments and a formal examination to be completed by students.
In addition to the coursework contained in these modules, students are offered the opportunity to participate in an annual residential course consisting of practical work, seminars and tutorials.
A large group of international experts in the study and practice of sports nutrition will be involved in the development and delivery of material, and will be made accessible via online chats and the residential workshop.
Upon successful completion of all compulsory elements of the program, including coursework, assignments and examinations, students are eligible to graduate with an IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition.
Individual parts of the Diploma program may form the basis of continuing education studies for those who do not wish to follow the whole program or to qualify for the award of the IOC Diploma.
Part 1 Foundations of Sports Nutrition
This course provides a broad coverage of the key areas of sports nutrition. It deals primarily with general principles, but draws on examples from various sports to illustrate the nutritional goals of athletes in training and competition and highlights some of the dietary strategies that can be employed to meet those goals.
Overview lecture: Overview of Sports Nutrition (RJ Maughan)
Module 1: Energy balance and body composition -Module tutor: RJ Maughan
Lecture 1 Energy requirements of athletes: methodologies of measuring energy expenditure; observations of energy requirements of athletes (Ron Maughan, UK)
Lecture 2 Measuring Energy Intake in Athletes and Active Individuals: Clinical and Research Perspectives (Melinda Manore, USA)
Lecture 3 Body composition for sport: methodologies, performance correlates and observations of the physique of athletes (Arthur Stewart, UK)
Module 2 Protein needs for exercise; eating for muscle gain - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Methodologies of assessing protein needs (Joe Millward, UK)
Lecture 2 Protein metabolism and protein requirements of athletes (Peter Lemon, Canada)
Lecture 3 Protein requirements and recommendations for athletes: (Kevin Tipton, UK)
Lecture 4 Protein intake to maximise the response to training: the timing and amount of protein (Kevin Tipton, UK)
Module 3 Post-exercise recovery – competition and training - Module tutor: LM Burke
Lecture 1 Post Exercise Recovery (Louise Burke, Australia)
Lecture 2 Does a high carbohydrate diet enhance recovery and performance? (Louise Burke, Australia)
Lecture 3 Fluid needs for training and post-exercise rehydration (Susan Shirreffs, UK)
Lecture 4 Fat loading/adaptations for athletic performance (Louise Burke, Australia)
Lecture 5 Alcohol in sport (Ron Maughan, UK)
Module 4 Nutrition for competition preparation - Module tutor: RJ Maughan
Lecture 1 Exercise metabolism and the causes of fatigue during exercise and sport: nutritional implications (Lawrence Spriet, Canada)
Lecture 2 Carbohydrate loading and fuelling up for sport (Asker Jeukendrup, UK)
Lecture 3 The pre-event meal (Roy Jentjens, The Netherlands)
Module 5 Fluid and fuel intake during competition and training - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Measuring your hydration status (Lawrence Armstrong, USA)
Lecture 2 Fluid and fuel intake during competition and training: Fluid and electrolyte needs during exercise (Susan Shirreffs, UK)
Lecture 3 The benefits of carbohydrate intake during exercise (Ed Coyle, USA)
Lecture 4 Exercise-associated hyponatraemia (Joseph Verbalis, USA)
Module 6 Weight loss and disordered eating - Module tutor: LM Burke
Lecture 1 Weight issues in sport: strategies for losing body fat (Helen O’Connor, Australia)
Lecture 2 Disordered Eating in Athletes (Kathie Beals, USA)
Lecture 3 The female athlete triad (Anne Loucks, USA)
Module 7 Vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and the athlete’s health - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Iron and the athlete: methodologies and observations (Vicki Deakin, Australia)
Lecture 2 Vitamin and mineral needs of the needs of the athlete: Methodologies and Observations (Ron Maughan, UK)
Lecture 3 Nutritional antioxidants and exercise (Scott Powers, USA)
Lecture 4 Nutrition for the immune system (Mike Gleeson, UK)
Module 8 Dietary supplements and ergogenic aids - Module tutor: RJ Maughan
Lecture 1 Uses and abuses of dietary supplements in sport (Ron Maughan, UK)
Lecture 2 Supplements and sports foods that may be of benefit to athletes: creatine (Paul Greenhaff, UK)
Lecture 3 Caffeine: an ergogenic aid that works (Lawrence Spriet, Canada)
Lecture 4 Bicarbonate and other muscle buffering agents (Ron Maughan, UK)
Module 9: Nutritional needs in special environments: cold, heat and altitude - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Nutritional needs in special environments: altitude (Dave Martin, Australia)
Lecture 2 Nutritional needs in the cold and in the heat (Susan Shirreffs, UK)
Module 10: Special studies module: current controversies in sports nutrition - Module tutor: RJ Maughan
Part 2 Practical Sports Nutrition
The following core modules provides a broad coverage of practical issues in sports nutrition. As well as looking at nutrition goals and the dietary strategies that can meet those goals, this course reviews nutrition knowledge of athletes, beliefs and behaviours of athletes, and deals with implementation of change and achieving goals in the practical world of sport.
Module 1 Practical Sports Nutrition - Module tutor: LM Burke
Lecture 1 Practical tips for assessing nutrition-related issues in athletes (Vicki Deakin)
Lecture 2 Sports Nutrition Servicing within a Multidisciplinary Team
(Michelle Cort)
Lecture 3 Feeding the hungry athlete – organising team travel and catering (Liz Broad)
Module 2 Sport-specific strategies to enhance performance: endurance and endurance trained sports - Module tutor: RJ Maughan
Lecture 1 Nutrition for road cycling (Asker Jeukendrup)
Lecture 2 Nutritional considerations for triathlon (Greg Cox)
Lecture 3 Nutrition for Middle Distance and Distance running (Louise Burke)
Lecture 4 Sports Nutrition Strategies for Rowing (Michelle Cort)
Lecture 5 Nutrition for swimming (Louise Burke)
Lecture 6 Sports Nutrition for Ultra Endurance and Extreme Events
(Jenni Pearce)
Module 3 Sport-specific strategies to enhance performance: intermittent sports - Module tutor: LM Burke
Lecture 1 Nutrition for soccer (Nick Broad)
Lecture 2 Nutrition for American Football (Lisa Sutherland)
Lecture 3 Nutrition for racquet sports (Michael Bergeron)
Module 4 Sport-specific strategies to enhance performance: strength and power sports - Module tutor: LM Burke
Lecture 1 Nutrition for sprints (Kevin Tipton)
Lecture 2 Nutrition for throwers, , jumpers and combined even athletes
(Linda Houtkooper)
Lecture 3 Nutrition for track cycling
Lecture 4 Nutrition for lifting sports
Module 5 Sport-specific strategies to enhance performance: winter sports - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Nutrition for Nordic and Sliding Sports (Susie Parker-Simmons)
Lecture 2 Nutrition for Winter Sports: Skiing, Boarding, Skating
(Nanna Meyer)
Module 6 Sport-specific strategies to enhance performance: weight-restricted and weight-conscious sports - Module tutor: LM Burke
Lecture 1 Making Weight – Lightweight Rowing (Gary Slater)
Lecture 2 Nutrition for gymnastics (Dan Bernadot)
Lecture 3 Nutritional Interests of Body Builders (Chris Mohr)
Module 7: Nutrition, physical activity and health - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Physical Inactivity: The Major Public Health of the 21st Century. (Steven Blair)
Lecture 2 Promoting Physical Activity in a World of Diversity.
(Victor Matsudo )
Lecture 3 Exercise, Diet and the Metabolic Syndrome (John Hawley)
Module 8: Special populations - Module tutor: SM Shirreffs
Lecture 1 Nutrition for female athletes (Susan Barr)
Lecture 2 Nutrition for the child and adolescent athlete (Helen O’Connor)
Lecture 3 Nutrition for the Athlete with Special Needs (Liz Broad)
Lecture 4 Nutrition for the vegetarian athlete (Greg Cox)
Module 9: Design and conduct of experiments. - Module tutor: RJ Maughan
Lecture 1 The basic study design (Barry Braun)
Lecture 2 Measurements of performance: Methods, pitfalls and limitations
(Asker Jeukendrup)
Lecture 3 Statistical Analysis and Data Interpretation: What is Important for the Athlete and Statistician (Will Hopkins)
Module 10: Special studies module: analysis and presentation of a sport-specific case study.
Module tutor: LM Burke
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Annual Residential Workshops
An annual residential workshop will be held and students will have the opportunity to attend one workshop during each year of study. Attendance at these workshops is encouraged but is not a requirement for successful completion of the Program. The aims of these courses are twofold:
- To provide an opportunity for students to take part in tutorials and seminars.
- To provide opportunities for practical sessions.
Each workshop will include a program of seminars designed to cover a range of topics. These will provide an opportunity for students to prepare and present short oral reports on specific topics. Staff will be available to provide tutorial support on a group or individual basis. A program of social events will be organised during the course.