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Sports Nutrition Principles for Performance and Recovery

via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

4 hours 58 minutes
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

Niel Asher Education Advanced Personal Trainer

Overview

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Training hard is only part of performance. What athletes eat, drink, and time around activity can influence energy, strength, endurance, recovery, body composition, and long-term consistency. By the end of this course, learners will understand how evidence-based sports nutrition principles can be used to support training demands, recovery needs, and performance goals. Taught by Stephanie Hnatiuk, RD, Registered Dietitian and Performance Nutrition Expert, this course provides a practical foundation in macronutrients, hydration, supplementation, meal timing, and individualized fueling strategies. Through video lectures, applied examples, and practical resources, learners explore how to assess nutrition needs, adjust intake for different training loads, support recovery, and align fueling plans with sport demands and body composition goals. Fitness, health, sports, and wellness professionals will gain practical tools for guiding athletes and clients, while general learners will better understand how nutrition choices affect performance and recovery. This course makes sports nutrition clear, usable, and focused on sustainable results.

Syllabus

Sports Nutrition Background

Every athlete wants to train harder, recover faster, and perform at their best—but without proper nutrition, even the best training plan can fall short. In this essential course, Stephanie Hnatiuk, Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, and Performance Nutrition Coach, shares her proven, evidence-based approach to fueling for performance and recovery. Designed for trainers, coaches, massage and athletic therapists, and healthcare professionals who work with active clients and athletes of all levels, this course introduces the Performance Nutrition Hierarchy—a clear, practical model for building a complete and sustainable nutrition plan. Through clear explanations and real-world examples, Stephanie breaks down how to assess and meet energy needs, balance macronutrients, optimize micronutrient intake, and time meals for both performance and recovery. She also explores the role of supplements, hydration, and energy availability, and explains how chronic low energy intake can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)—a major barrier to performance and health. Throughout the course, participants will learn to apply flexible, personalized nutrition strategies that fit real-life training environments—from recreational athletes to elite competitors. The course also examines current research on carbohydrates, protein timing, healthy fats, hydration, and alcohol, highlighting how each affects training outcomes and long-term athlete wellness. By the end of this course, you’ll have a complete framework for assessing and improving the nutrition of athletes and active clients, allowing you to better support their endurance, strength, and recovery goals through practical, science-driven strategies.

Nutrients and Supplements

This module breaks down the roles of macronutrients, micronutrients, and supplements in athletic performance, recovery, and long-term health. Learners will explore how fueling choices influence muscle adaptation, immune function, and injury risk. Practical guidance is provided on optimizing nutrient timing, identifying critical deficiencies, and determining when evidence-based supplements may be beneficial.

Nutrition Planning

This module focuses on applying performance nutrition principles into practical, individualized plans. Students will learn how to structure daily fueling strategies, balance training demands with recovery needs, and adjust intake to support changes in intensity, volume, and athletic goals.

Reflective Assignments

This module gives learners the opportunity to apply course concepts through brief, scenario-based tasks. These activities reinforce real-world decision making, communication skills, and professional confidence when working with clients.

5. Final Reflective Exam

This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.