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Professional Diploma in Athletic Nutrition

 

Field and Subfield: Nutrition Sciences / Health Sciences

1. Program Overview:

An accredited professional and applied program extending over 3 months (80 hours of approved study load), aimed at preparing and qualifying nutrition specialists and sports trainers to develop advanced nutritional strategies that enhance physical performance and accelerate muscular recovery. The program covers exercise physiology and energy systems, macro- and micronutrient and electrolyte requirements, nutrition protocols before, during, and after exercise, specialized nutrition for endurance and team sports, nutrition for vegetarian and young athletes, through to chrono-nutrition and neurological and hormonal recovery.

2. Key Objectives:

  • Understanding sports physiology and energy systems: understanding the interactions of aerobic and anaerobic energy systems and the contribution of carbohydrates and fats during physical effort at different intensities.
  • Determining nutritional requirements and nutrient timing: calculating energy, protein, and supplement requirements, and mastering the post-exercise Anabolic Window and hydration fluids.
  • Customizing plans for different sports: designing customized nutritional programs for endurance sports (marathon, swimming, cycling), team sports (football, basketball), and vegetarian and young athletes.
  • Improving recovery and biological performance: employing Chrono-nutrition, optimizing sleep quality, neurological recovery, and hormonal regeneration to achieve peak athletic performance.

3. Target Audience:

  • General, therapeutic, and clinical nutrition specialists wishing to specialize in sports nutrition.
  • Sports trainers (Fitness Trainers), physical preparation specialists, and sports rehabilitation specialists.
  • Professional athletes and individuals interested in increasing physical efficiency and improving performance.
  • Graduates and students of Physical Education, Nutrition Sciences, Health Sciences, and Physical Therapy.

4. Study Plan and Modules (12 Modules — 24 Interactive Lectures):

Module

Topics and Training Units

Number of Lectures

Total Hours

Module 1

Introduction to sports nutrition, its definition, and its importance in enhancing performance

2

4 hours

Module 2

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise and nutrition, and enhancement of athletic performance

2

4 hours

Module 3

Macronutrients, micronutrients, electrolytes, and balanced nutrition for athletes

2

4 hours

Module 4

Physiology of the athletic body and the relationship between the nervous system, nutrition, and performance

2

4 hours

Module 5

Interactions of energy systems and the contribution of carbohydrates and fats to energy during exercise

2

4 hours

Module 6

Determining athletes’ nutritional requirements according to sport type and intensity

2

4 hours

Module 7

Protein requirements and timing and supplements, and carbohydrate and fat requirements for training

2

4 hours

Module 8

Nutrition for endurance sports (marathon, swimming, cycling) and team sports (football, basketball, volleyball)

2

4 hours

Module 9

Pre-exercise nutrition, nutrition during exercise, and fluid and carbohydrate intake

2

4 hours

Module 10

Post-exercise nutrition and recovery, the protein window, and supplements for prolonged exercise

2

4 hours

Module 11

Nutrition for vegetarian athletes and nutrition for young and adolescent athletes

2

4 hours

Module 12

Sleep, neurological recovery, hormonal regeneration, and Chrono-nutrition

2

4 hours

Total

12 comprehensive study modules

24 lectures

48 training hours

5. Organizational Structure and Assessment System:

  • Duration and sessions: 3 months (evening period), at a rate of two lectures per week, two hours per lecture.
  • Language of study and delivery method: Arabic and English | fully remote interactive training (Online).
  • Distribution of credit hours (80 hours):

50 hours: live and interactive online lectures.

20 hours: required and open readings.

7 hours: chapter questions and self-assessment.

3 hours: final review and program completion examination.

  • Attendance and assessment requirements: attendance of no less than 75% of the lectures, and completion of periodic assignments and examinations.
  • Certificate and graduation project: the graduate is awarded a Diploma in Therapeutic Nutrition (Athletic Nutrition) after passing the final online examination consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions + 5 practical and applied case questions.

 

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