Skip to main content
Unit of study_

EXSS2021: Nutrition, Health and Performance

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with an understanding of the principles of nutrition to optimise physical performance in sport, recreation and occupation. In addition key aspects of public health nutrition including dietary management of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also a focus. This unit defines the importance of macro and micro nutrients in the maintenance of health, and the specific roles of carbohydrate, protein and lipids in energy metabolism during exercise. In addition, the interaction between dietary intake and physical activity and its effects on energy-balance, cardiovascular health and other lifestyle diseases are considered.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EXSS2021
Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
EXSS2028
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Janelle Gifford, janelle.gifford@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Written exam
40% Formal exam period 3 hours
Online task Online Quizzes
4 Canvas quizzes worth 5% each in weeks 4, 7, 11 and 13.
20% Multiple weeks 3-6 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO17 LO16 LO15 LO14 LO13 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Critical Appraisal of the Scientific Literature Presentation
Oral presentation in pairs in Week 5. Presentation PDF due 5pm day prior.
20% Week 05
Due date: 09 Sep 2020 at 17:00
7 minutes presentation time
Outcomes assessed: LO15
Skills-based evaluation Practical exam
Practical skills assessment
20% Week 10 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO11 LO13 LO17
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Online Quizzes: Online Canvas quizzes to be completed on lecture material throughout the semester.
  • Critical appraisal presentation: Students will work in pairs to critically appraise a journal article and to prepare and deliver a conference style presentation to tutors and fellow students.
  • Practical examination: Practical examination of skills taught in practical sessions. Students will be assessed on competency with practical skills taught.
  • Final end of semester examination: The final written examination covers all lecture content of the unit. Calculators are required.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Critical appraisal - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO15
Introduction to unit and Critical Appraisal review Tutorial (1 hr) LO15
Critical Appraisal and presentation assessment tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO15
Week 02 Introduction to nutrition digestion and absorption - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction to nutrition digestion and absorption review Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Dietary assessment tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO12 LO13 LO16
Week 03 Obesity Prevalence and Aetiology - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO3
Obesity Prevalence and Aetiology - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Week 04 Obesity treatment and diabetes - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Obesity treatment and diabetes - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO16
Week 05 Cardiovascular disease - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Cardiovascular disease - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO16
Presentation assessment Presentation (2 hr) LO15
Week 06 Body composition - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO17
Body composition - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO17
Body Composition Practical Practical (2 hr) LO11 LO17
Week 07 Carbohydrate requirements of athletes - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Fat adaptation - recorded lecture Independent study (0.5 hr) LO5 LO6
Carbohydrate requirements of athletes and fat adaptation - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Measurement of Energy Expenditure & Glycaemic Index of Foods practical Practical (2 hr) LO11
Week 08 Hydration - recorded lecture Independent study (0.5 hr) LO7 LO8
Hydration - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO7 LO8
Hydration practical Practical (2 hr) LO11
Protein requirements of athletes - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 09 Dietary strategies for competition - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO9
Protein requirements of athletes, dietary strategies for competition review Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO9
Week 10 Practical Exam Practical (2 hr) LO11
Week 11 Relative energy deficiency in sport, calcium and iron requirements - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO2 LO10 LO16
Relative energy deficiency in sport, calcium and iron requirements - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO10 LO16
Week 12 Supplements and ergogenic aids - recorded lecture Independent study (1 hr) LO10 LO14
Supplements and ergogenic aids - review Tutorial (1 hr) LO10 LO14
Week 13 Exam Review Tutorial (1 hr) LO13

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures: Lectures are pre-recorded and are approximately 1 hour in duration (lecture time may vary). Students should view the lecture/s before coming to the tutorial review specific to the topic.

Tutorials: These are live by zoom or in person. The 2-hour tutorials in week 1 and 2 are topic-specific and are not lecture reviews. The remaining 1-hour tutorials are an interactive opportunity to review lecture material with a tutor, but also may have content which supplements the pre-recorded lecture. 

Attendance: Students are encouraged to attend tutorials to optimise engagement with the material and participate in class discussion. Practical classes: there are 4 practical classes (weeks 6-8, 10) of 2 hours each. Attendance at practical classes (weeks 6-8) is required so students can gain mastery over practical skills prior to the practical examination (week 10). Attendance will be recorded at tutorials and practicals and the practical exam is compulsory.

Online quizzes/presentation pdf: late penalties will be applied for students submitting online quizzes or the presentation pdf outside the timeframe specified on Canvas. Special consideration will be required to avoid the late penalties. 

Assessments: assessments are required to be completed in the timeslot/by due date advertised on Canvas. Please note the dates/times required on Canvas. Special consideration will be required for non-completion/non-attendance of assessments.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • The texts for this unit are:
  • Belski, R., Forsyth, A., Mantzioris, E. Nutrition for Sport, Exercise and Performance. Allen and Unwin 2019. Crows Nest Australia ISBN 978 1 76029 749 7. (Prescribed text). Available as e-book via the library.
  • Burke, L & Deakin V. (2015). Clinical Sports Nutrition (5th Ed). McGraw-Hill Sydney. ISBN-13 978 -1743073681. (Recommended Reading). Available as e-book via the library.
  • Mann, J & Trusswell, A.S. (2017). Essentials of Human Nutrition (5th Ed). Oxford University Press ISBN 9780199290970. (Recommended Readings.

Additional readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available in the Canvas site for this unit.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of the digestive system
  • LO2. demonstrate a basic understanding of how nutritional needs vary over the lifecycle and between men and women
  • LO3. describe the major lifestyle diseases where nutrition has a major influence on aetiology and management (obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease)
  • LO4. outline diet related public health strategies to improve the mortality and morbidity from the above mentioned lifestyle diseases
  • LO5. describe biochemical pathways by which fat, carbohydrate and protein are oxidised, regulated and integrated to fuel the body at rest and during exercise of varying intensity and duration
  • LO6. explain how nutrition can influence exercise performance, recovery and physiological adaptation from training
  • LO7. explain how nutrition and hydration strategies optimise physical performance in a range of sports and occupational settings (e.g. sprint, endurance, strength)
  • LO8. explain mechanisms underpinning the benefit of optimal hydration and how this minimises health risks during physical activity in both the sport and occupational setting
  • LO9. outline strategies for energy and fluid replacement before, during and after exercise for a range of sports settings
  • LO10. understand the risks of diet manipulation, particularly with regard to dieting or energy restriction or omission of food groups, use of supplements and the role of the Australian Sports Drugs Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA)
  • LO11. develop skills in anthropometric and body composition assessment, measurement and estimation of resting metabolism, and hydration assessment
  • LO12. develop skills in dietary assessment
  • LO13. apply theoretical knowledge in nutrition science in ‘real world’ case scenarios
  • LO14. understand governance of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (food labelling and safety) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (dietary supplements)
  • LO15. develop skills in critical thinking and critical appraisal of the scientific literature and skills in assessing scientific manuscripts using a quality rating tool and delivering a conference style presentation.
  • LO16. develop an understanding of professional boundaries and how the health professional team (including the exercise scientist/physiologist, dietitian, medical doctor, psychologist etc.) work cooperatively to provide a comprehensive health care or high performance plan for a client/patient
  • LO17. describe commonly used methods for measuring body composition and identify their strengths and limitations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to feedback: *we have added buffer time in between completion of content delivery and online quizzes of associated material. *Marking schema for practical exam will be revised. *Tutorial material for week 2 tutorial will be revised after its initial running in 2020

Work, health and safety

WHS inductions will need to be completed prior to participation in face-to-face practical classes.

COVID-19 safety directions provided at the time of face-to-face attendance must be followed. Please refer to the Canvas site for further information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.