FSN304 Food and Nutrition in the Community
Assessment 4: Sports Nutrition Case Study

Assessment Description

Answer the following questions related to Sports Nutrition in the Community; The focus is on evaluating your understanding of sports nutrition principles, how nutrition can be promoted or supported in a community setting, as well as the role a nutritionist may have within this scenario. There are some short answer questions, and some scenario-based questions.

Part A (worth 20)

Max 200 words per question

1. How does hydration and importantly dehydration impact athletic performance? Include the signs of dehydration that athletes should be aware of. (6)

2. What role does protein play in the world of sports nutrition? What are the current recommendations for athletes, highlighting and explaining why particular athletes may have a greater need. (4)

3. Explain the term “nutritional periodisation” and its relevance to a training cycle. What specific goals need to be achieved in the different phases. (6)

4. What is an example of an ideal recovery meal for an adult netball player after a night game finishing at 9pm? Include an explanation as to what criteria went into why you chose this meal. (4)

References required for this part.

Part B (worth 40)

Scenario 1: Teenage AFL Player

Liam is a 15-year-old who plays AFL for a local team. He trains sport specific sessions two days a week each being 1.5 hrs duration with skills and fitness work, he does one gym session each week, and plays a match on the weekend. He occasionally fills in for the team above when they are short of players, and that game is often straight after his own game. A typical match is 80 minutes long, with four 20-minute quarters. He often doesn’t feel hungry after training sessions or games, resulting in meals or snacks being skipped, and feels tired during the week quite often. His lives with both mum and dad, and an older brother. Mum and dad both work, and juggle the shopping and cooking at home between them.

Questions:

1. Why is nutrition a consideration for Liam? (4)

2. Identify two possible nutritional issues that may affect Liam’s performance and fatigue levels. (4)

3. List 4 pieces of advice you would give Liam to improve his energy levels and recovery? (4)

4. Would you recommend a supplement for Liam, and why or why not? (4)

5. What information could you pass onto Liam’s parents that may help to influence his intake? (4)

Scenario 2: Community Nutrition Program

Your local council is launching a “Fuel for Sport” initiative, and they have asked you to be involved in the planning phase of this new program. The brief is as follows:

- We are aiming at improving nutrition education of local athletes within community sports clubs. We want to roll out some of these tools across a range of different local sporting groups.

- We want to see an improvement of the quality, healthiness and affordability of food provision in community run clubs, and assistance in how to do this in a budget conscious manner.

- We want to brainstorm other creative ideas on what resourcing may be required to optimally achieve these goals.

Questions:

1. What do you think would be the most impactful resources or tools to include in this initiative? Explaining what tools and resources will be used, and how they will be best implemented. I am looking for creativity here, either a number of smaller activities and resources, or a more involved program. You could also be specific and focus on a certain area like the canteen, or athlete engagement. (10)

2. How would you ensure the program resources are accessible and understandable for a diverse community, and effective in their outcome? (10)