Program Overview

Nutrition and Exercise for Health and Sports Performance

Key Information

• Start date: 11 May 2026
• Attendance dates: 11, 12, 13 May 2026

Overview

This module gathers a range of internal and external speakers to provide specific insights into the role and application of nutrition to sport and exercise. As a foundation for this specific application of nutrition, the module starts with a brief overview of exercise physiology and limits to performance, before covering key areas of nutrition in an exercising situation, both in terms of performance and in terms of health.

Module Aims

This module aims to:

• Provide students with a thorough background knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition relevant to exercise
• Understand the energy and nutritional demands of exercise and sport
• Allow students the opportunity to evaluate practices in exercise and dietary manipulation currently used to enhance performance in a wide range of sports activities
• Reinforce the concept that modification of exercise and dietary habits in the general population can promote improved health and well-being

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Appreciate the physiological and biochemical processes that occur as a consequence of exercise, exercise capacity, and limits to performance
• Relate the energy and fuel demands of exercise and recovery, and how this relates to the periodization of training and exercise performance
• Describe how dietary manipulation can improve sports performance in athletes and social exercisers
• Appraise the rationale behind the development, use, and efficacy of ergogenic aids used to enhance sports performance
• Evaluate the factors affecting the nutritional requirements of an athlete, exercise, or sport to formulate practical nutritional recommendations

Course Content

Indicative content includes, some or all of the following topics:

• Exercise physiology: physiological and biochemical response to exercise & training
• Energy, Carbohydrate & Fat Fuels for exercise
• Carbohydrate and protein requirements for exercise
• Fluid & electrolytes balance in exercise: use of sports drinks
• The Performance Nutritionist
• Ergogenic aids
• The female athlete / exercise & bone
• Nutrition for strength & power
• Practical Sports Nutrition
• Exercise nutrition for the non-athlete
• Nutrition, Exercise & Metabolic Health
• Case studies in sports nutrition

Assessment

• Coursework: Short essays (x2) & Case study assignment

Course Leader

Dr. Sarah Bath

Senior Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition

Fees and Funding

• Ł1,300

Terms and Conditions

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Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us.

Course Location

• Campus location: Stag Hill
• This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.