Applied Sport & Exercise Nutrition

Overview
Within the past decade, there has been a marked growth in the career opportunities available for sport and exercise nutritionists as well as an enhanced interest in nutrition to complement other job roles in the sport and exercise science field.

This Masters programme is designed to provide students with a sound grounding in the scientific method in the context of sport and exercise nutrition. Key areas of study include physiology, nutrition and metabolism with a focus on practical application of sport and exercise nutrition.

All students will complete a sport and exercise nutrition work placement and a hypothesis driven research project.

Employment opportunities exist at a local, regional, national and international level.

The course is offered as a conversion programme for students that have previously completed science or health-based undergraduate degrees. It therefore gives students the opportunity to specialise in Sport and Exercise Nutrition.

What is a Sports and Exercise Nutritionist?
Sport and Exercise Nutrition is the application of scientific and nutritional principles in order to understand and enhance sport and exercise performance and health and well-being.

The Association for Nutrition (AfN) define Sport and Exercise Nutritionist roles as:

'Sports and Exercise Nutritionists develop, implement and evaluate nutritional strategies to optimise performance in sport and exercise.

They determine the energy, fluid and nutrient demands of sport and exercise and provide tailored dietary advice to individuals and groups, ranging from recreational athletes, enthusiastic amateurs to elite professional athletes.

They may also work for and in the sports nutrition industry e.g. producing products for athletes of all ability levels, or may work in education, be academics or researchers.'

See www.associationfornutrition.org

This Masters programme has been designed to prepare students with the requisite level of understanding, knowledge, and skills to work within sport and exercise nutrition contexts.

Please Note
- Work Placement is included
- Some overnight stays in Galway will be necessary for the practical sessions

Year 1
Human Nutrition 5 credits
Sport and Exercise Physiology 5 credits
Sport and Exercise Nutrition Research in Practice 1 10 credits
Advanced Sport and Exercise Nutrition 10 credits
Research Methods 10 credits
Sport and Exercise Nutrition Research in Practice 2 10 credits
Laboratory Techniques in Sport and Exercise Nutrition 10 credits

*Exit Award option available.

Year 2
Research Project 30 credits

Note: Non-EU applicants cannot apply for this programme.

Applicants will require the following:
- A personal statement
- Evidence of relevant work experience
- Honours Degree (H2.2) in any science or related health discipline

All students will require Garda Vetting.

Postgraduate Applications

Details on how to apply for Postgraduate Courses at ATU

Applications for programmes commencing in September 2023 are NOW OPEN.

Click on "Application Weblink" below.

Note: Non-EU applicants cannot apply for this programme.

If you have any queries or need any assistance applying for a postgraduate course please contact our Graduate Studies and Professional Development (GSPD) team who will guide you through the process.

Email: learn.galwaymayo@atu.ie and reference the course you're interested in applying for in your message.

Are you an international student? Please contact the International Office for more information:
Tel: +353 (0)91 74 2149/2211
Email: international.galwaymayo@atu.ie

18 months full-time. On Campus. Part-time option also available.

Flexible Learning
The blended nature of the delivery of the programme (i.e. some face-to-face sessions and some online lectures) means that the programme is suitable for students both nationally and internationally.

Job Opportunities
The career opportunities available to sport and exercise nutritionists in Europe are expanding all the time and this expansion appears likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Most sports now recognise nutritional science as an integral part of their sport's development and success and most athletes consider the application of sport and exercise nutrition as an important part of everyday preparation for training and competition.

'In the Know' provides a summary from the AfN of different career paths in the Nutrition field. Examples of careers from AfN-accredited degree programmes in the UK may be found at http://www.associationfornutrition.org/.

Examples of careers from AfN-accredited and SENr-accredited degree programmes in the UK include:
• Sports Nutritionist
• Exercise Nutritionist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Lecturer in Higher Education
• Performance Nutritionist
• Researcher
• New product development technologist
• Sports Development Officer
• Self-employment (as a consultant, contractor or entrepreneur)

In the UK typical employers include:
• Food standards agency
• Government advisory groups
• Government agencies
• Local authorities
• National disease prevention initiatives
• National research groups and health promotion initiatives
• National sporting associations, governing bodies and other related sporting agencies
• Private health and fitness clubs, spas and public sports and recreation facilities
• Professional sports clubs
• Schools, further education and higher education institutions
• The health sector, including the National Health Service (NHS)

Similar job opportunities are available throughout Europe and the US.