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Nutrition supplements to support
sport and exercise performance

Discover how to create those marginal gains by using sports nutrition supplements effectively.

Female at table of food and supplement containers filling out food tracking on clipboard
Female at table of food and supplement containers filling out food tracking on clipboard

An industry-exclusive nutrition supplement course

This factual, evidence-based course covers the consumption strategies and benefits of supplementing for sport and exercise performance.

  • Course type:

    Online

  • Time to qualify:

    1-2 weeks

  • Entry requirements:

    None

Book your place for only £165

Course overview: Nutrition supplements for sport and exercise performance

The Level 3 Nutrition Supplements to Support Sport and Exercise Performance is an exclusive HFE programme that has been specifically created to provide an evidence-based learning experience for those wanting to optimise their sport and exercise nutrition strategy.

Exercise and nutrition professionals will inevitably encounter clients who are keen to learn more about how nutritional supplements can support their sport or exercise ambitions, and may in fact already be using a range of supplements to support their training. With so many different products available, and much variability with regards to the quality of the same supplement products, it’s essential that the modern exercise professional has a sound, evidence-based understanding of nutritional supplements and how they can support sport and exercise performance.

The global sale of dietary and/or sports supplements is a multi-billion-pound market. According to data published by Wunsch (2020), in 2018 the worldwide sale of sports nutrition supplements was valued at 50.84 billion U.S dollars and by 2023, these sales are estimated to reach 81.5 billion U.S. dollars. Sports supplements are big business for manufacturers and retailers and it is worth considering this when considering the marketing claims of the supplement manufacturers. They cannot and should not be relied upon!

Our Level 3 Nutrition Supplements to Support Sport and Exercise Performance course has been specifically created by a team of sports scientists and doctors to present to you the evidence-based facts about the most widely used and credible nutrition supplements. This programme has been specifically designed to go beyond what is taught in any other programme, and provides the ideal supplement (sorry we couldn’t resist) to our Level 4 Sport and Exercise Nutrition Coach programme.

  • Entry requirements

    There are no formal entry requirements for this course and even if you are not working in the sport and physical activity sector, you’ll likely find the course valuable if you have an active interest in the subject. The content is however aimed at qualified exercise professionals and there will be reference to physiological processes, particularly bioenergetics, that most fitness instructors and personal trainers will have prior knowledge of.

  • Learning materials

    This course is primarily delivered through eLearning, although some supplementary reading is supplied to help you develop a deeper understanding of the subjects. The content is mobile-friendly, engaging, and paired with a step-by-step study guide for ease of learning.

  • Exclusive HFE programme

    This course is unique and exclusive to HFE. Our sports scientists and doctors developed this course specifically to equip those who work in the sports and exercise industry, supplying them with the facts and skills to accurately and effectively advise clients regarding the use of nutrition supplements.

Payment Options

We take great pride in our excellent training programmes which are amongst the most adaptable and widely accessible within the fitness industry.

We have utilised our years of experience to design our ‘nutrition supplements for sports and exercise’ certification, ensuring that it not only offers quality, informative content but is also reasonably priced.

Special Offers, Discounts and Deals

We are committed to quality, fairness and transparency, which is why we openly list our course prices on our website for all to see. We don’t engage in discounting, bargaining or deal-making and our price promise ensures that all our students pay the same fair price for their training and qualifications.

Pay in Full

£165

Get a 5% prompt payment discount on orders with a value over £200.

Purchase Order

£165

Provide a purchase order on enrolment
and settle the invoice within 30 days*

*Only available for business bookings and subject to the appropriate due diligence.

Here to support you

Unlike many online courses, our team of experienced and friendly support tutors are always on hand to provide a little extra help. At your request, your personal support tutor will be available via:

  • Email

  • Phone

  • Video call

  • Webinar

support tutor at standing desk

What you'll learn

Throughout this course, you will develop a thorough understanding of the evidence-based facts around a range of nutritional supplements which can be used to develop optimum sports and exercise nutrition performance. Some of this content includes:

  • Introduction to nutrition supplements

    Defining nutritional supplements/ergogenic aids
    When to consider/avoid supplements
    Supplement safety and quality indicators
    Relative importance of supplements
    Cost effectiveness of supplements
    Credible sources of evidence

  • Protein and amino acid supplementation

    Protein and amino acid classifications
    Effects on performance, aesthetic and health
    Whey & casein
    Branched-chain amino acids
    Plant-based proteins
    Optimum protein strategies (dose, frequency, timing)

  • Creatine supplements in sport and exercise

    Creatine classification
    Benefits and side effects
    Effects of creatine on performance, health and aesthetics
    Creatine loading and maintenance approaches
    Creatine in sport
    Optimum creatine strategies (dose, frequency, timing)

  • Caffeine supplements in sport and exercise

    Evidence-based benefits of caffeine supplements
    Types of caffeine supplements
    Caffeine during pregnancy/breastfeeding
    Variability between caffeine supplements
    Contextual sporting strategies
    Optimum caffeine strategies (dose, frequency, timing)

  • Vitamins, minerals and omega supplements

    Defining omega-3, omega-6, ALA, EPA & DHA
    Fish oil supplements - sources, benefits & types
    Vitamin and mineral supplement benefits/risks
    Cost effectiveness of vitamin/mineral supplements
    Effects on performance, aesthetics, health
    Optimum vitamin/mineral supplement strategies

Ben Coomber giving sports nutrition supplements lecture on iPhone screen

*Images and videos are for illustration purposes and may not depict specific course materials.

Where will your nutrition qualification take you?

Adding the skills to support clients with their nutritional and performance goals will make you even more in demand in the fitness industry. You can take your qualification as far as you want, both geographically and in terms of career progression. Why not join our thousands of graduates working with nationwide and worldwide leading gyms and health clubs?

Virgin active logo
Bannatyne logo
Nuffield health logo
David Lloyd logo
pure gym logo
Places Leisure logo

How you'll be assessed

The programme is assessed in a flexible and uncomplicated format, through a combination of informal knowledge checks that are embedded into the learning programme, and an end-of-course online multiple-choice exam. You'll complete the assessments in your own time and they are easy to take, but a word of warning, you'll need to know your stuff to pass the exam. If you don’t manage to pass the exam first time, don’t sweat it. Simply do a little more revision, and return to the test when you’re ready.

HFE theory test on MacBook screen
25%

Workbooks

  • Multiple choice
  • Informal tone
  • Consolidate learning
25%

Knowledge

  • Knowledge checks
  • Embedded into course
  • Informal style
50%

Theory

  • Multiple choice
  • Need 100% to pass
  • Instant results
  • Unlimited resits

Keep in touch

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