A fitness credential is recommended but is not required for the Sports Nutrition Certification. We always recommend getting your feet wet with one of NASM's many nutrition courses.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Performance Nutrition

Learn to differentiate performance nutrition from general nutrition strategies, and understand the profession of a Sports Nutrition Coach, the skills needed, and the populations they work with.

 

Chapter 2: Scope of Practice

Understand a Sports Nutrition Coach's scope of practice and professional expectations, and be able to determine when to refer athletes to another professional.

 

Chapter 3: Evidence-Informed Practice

Differentiate evidence-informed practice from evidence-based practice and determine high-quality sources of information.

 

Chapter 4: Understanding the Spectrum of Athletes and Performance

Learn to identify where athletes exist within the spectrum of athlete types, and understand needs based on physiological, sociological, cultural, and ethical factors.

Chapter 5: Essentials of Metabolism

Explain aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, and be able to describe energy balance and related concepts.

 

Chapter 6: Energetics of Performance

Understand the difference between energy balance and energy availability, and determine fueling requirements for optimal performance.

Chapter 7: Protein

Learn about the function of protein and establish protein requirements in a dietary program.

 

Chapter 8: Carbohydrates

Explain the role of carbohydrates for athletes and describe methods for establishing requirements in a dietary program.

 

Chapter 9: Fat

Understand the role of fats in sports nutrition and how different sports may rely on fats to a greater extent than others.

 

Chapter 10: Micronutrients

Describe recommendations for incorporating micronutrients into an athlete's diet and identify common food sources for essential vitamins and minerals.

 

Chapter 11: Hydration

Communicate appropriate hydration strategies for during and between training bouts to athletes.

Chapter 12: Periodization and Nutrient Timing

Describe appropriate periodization and nutrient-timing strategies to optimize adaptations to training, enhance recovery, and to ensure optimal performance.

 

Chapter 13: Body Composition

Explain the relationship between body composition, athlete type, and performance, and describe methods for assessing body composition.

 

Chapter 14: Recovery

Identify the three R’s of recovery and their relevance to performance nutrition, and explain the importance of recuperation for athletes.

 

Chapter 15: Supporting the Ill/Injured Athlete

Explain the various levels of appropriate support for illness and injury based on severity and determine when client referral is necessary.

 

Chapter 16: Supplementation

Assess the athlete’s need for supplementation using a thorough decision-making process.

Chapter 17: Performance Nutrition Assessment and Evaluation

Identify pre-appointment data gathering methods to determine athlete’s baseline status and select appropriate nutritional assessment methods specific to an athlete based on pre-appointment data.

 

Chapter 18: Fueling for the Work Required

Determine appropriate dietary and supplement strategies to optimize fuel supply, fuel stores, and fuel utilization.

 

Chapter 19: Coaching Process/Approach

Identify barriers to behavior change, specialist diets, and their influence on adaptations to training, recovery, and athletic performance, and apply appropriate levels of coaching.

 

Chapter 20: Programming

Evaluate all findings from an athlete's needs analysis and design a nutrition intervention which addresses optimal health and performance goals.

After the completion of the course, you will take an online final exam from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you prefer to take tests. The test is 100, multiple-choice questions. You are allowed to go back and reference the course while taking the exam. The exam is timed and cannot exceed 90 minutes. To pass, you need a score of 70% or higher and you have up to 3 attempts to pass.