BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Nutrition Bachelor's degree at Liverpool Hope University

Students on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition course will study the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, and movement science. Using a systems-based approach, topics include the lungs and gas exchange, the heart and cardiac function, and muscle physiology. Practical laboratory classes allow students to gain key skills and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world settings.

This module explores the relationship between human movement and sports performance. Students will study motor control to understand how skilled movements are produced, learned, and developed. Through biomechanics, you will learn to quantify human movement using kinematic and kinetic approaches and understand key concepts such as work, power, force, speed, and velocity. Learning is reinforced through laboratory and field work, and physical activity levels and health indicators, such as body comp

Students will explore food from a scientific perspective, including its composition and measurement. The course also examines the food chain, food environments, and the various social, political, and societal factors that influence food choice. This holistic approach encourages students to understand that the study of food in sport and exercise nutrition is multi-dimensional, preparing them for more advanced topics in later years. Practical sessions are included in the food laboratory.

This module introduces students to the physiological processes involved in digestion and absorption, alongside the key bodily systems supporting these processes. Students will study macronutrients and their role in energy production, as well as other nutrients such as alcohol, vitamins, and minerals. This foundational knowledge provides the core understanding needed for more advanced topics in subsequent years of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition course.

Students on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition course will study the foundational principles of muscle glycogen and carbohydrate ingestion in relation to exercise performance. You will examine the volume, frequency, and type of carbohydrate feedings that maximise sport performance. The module also addresses the controversial use of high-fat diets for sports performance and teaches practical techniques to quantify fat and carbohydrate oxidation.

Energy and nutrient requirements vary depending on sex and stage of life. In this module, students gain knowledge of the specific nutritional needs required for development, growth, and optimal health. You will explore how dietary intake and nutritional status during early life stages, fetal, childhood, and adolescence, can influence health outcomes, affecting the risk of diet-related disease later in life. The module also introduces nutritional assessment techniques and their application in deter

This module covers nutritional epidemiology, the study of the relationship between dietary exposure and the causes and patterns of diseases in populations. Students will critically appraise nutritional assessment methods, research designs, and study methodologies. The principles of public health nutrition are also explored, focusing on promoting good health through healthy eating and preventing diet-related diseases across populations.

Students will study aerobic physiology, including adaptations to exercise training and the measurement of key parameters such as lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake. This module provides a foundation for understanding functional decline in disease and optimal training intensity for aerobic performance. Laboratory workshops allow students to directly measure aerobic function and apply theoretical knowledge.

This module focuses on the effective design and evaluation of training programmes to maximise performance. Students will learn the principles of strength, speed, and agility training and how to integrate them into comprehensive training plans. Practical sessions in the field support learning by demonstrating best practices in measuring and monitoring performance parameters.

Building on first-year study, students will examine the relationship between physical activity and health. The module evaluates the effectiveness of different health promotion campaigns aimed at increasing physical activity in diverse populations, including disability groups, minority communities, and workplace settings.

In preparation for the final-year research project, students will learn to plan and execute research, from developing proposals to analysing data using statistical methods. The module also supports career development, highlighting how effective data analysis and research skills are essential for professional success in the field of sport and exercise nutrition.

Students on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition course will explore key perspectives on the interrelationship between nutrition, physical activity, exercise, and health. The module covers the role of body composition in health and disease and methods for assessing body composition. Students will also examine the distinctions between physical activity, physical fitness, sport, and exercise, and critically appraise how these factors interact with nutrition to influence health outcomes.

This module examines the links between nutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, as well as cognitive function and impairment. Students will critically appraise the role of nutrition and weight management in preventing these conditions, within the broader context of lifestyle, holistic health, and wellbeing.

Students will study the evidence and practical applications of diet and dietary supplementation, focusing on carbohydrate and protein intake to support sports performance and training adaptations. You will learn to critically evaluate the evidence, considering individual differences such as diet, training status, age, and goals, and apply this knowledge to athlete support. Key ergogenic aids, including creatine, bicarbonate, beetroot juice, and caffeine, will be studied to evaluate their potential

This module explores the principles of public health nutrition, considering international, national, and local perspectives in the development of food and nutrition policies. Students will learn to apply public health nutrition models in practice and evaluate local policies, including practical considerations for improving population diets.

Students will examine theoretical models underlying food choice and nutritional behaviour. The module critically appraises traditional and modern strategies for nutrition education and behaviour modification aimed at improving nutritional status.

This module focuses on the development of sports nutrition products while addressing global health issues and sustainable food systems. Students will develop skills in assessing organoleptic properties through sensory analysis and gain in-depth knowledge of global food and drink packaging regulations. The module also covers food allergens, sensitivities, and legal requirements for food safety, helping students understand the processes and standards required to maintain food quality and authentic

Students will study best practices for prescribing exercise to promote health across diverse populations, including individuals with conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, pregnancy, and children, supporting the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases.

Focusing on aerobic performance, this module develops a scientific understanding of lactate threshold and critical power, including their measurement, estimation, and role in structuring exercise intensity domains. Students will also learn to plan and program training while considering factors such as screening, age, sex, recovery, sleep, and concurrent training.

The final-year research dissertation allows students on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition degree to undertake an independent research project, generating new findings and contributing to the field of sport and exercise nutrition.