Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition - 2012 entry

Eric Veniamakis

In small classes the lecturer focuses on you and has more time to spend on each student.

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Course content

We expect that prospective students will have a strong understanding of either human nutrition or sport and exercise science. The first semester requires that you enrol in either the Human Nutrition or Exercise Physiology module, depending on your background. For example, if you have an undergraduate degree in human nutrition you will usually take the Exercise Physiology module. This format enables you to progress to advanced-level classes, where comprehensive knowledge of both human nutrition and exercise physiology is essential.

To complete an MSc, you need to obtain 180 M-level credits. The PGDip is awarded to students who obtain 120 M-level credits by successfully completing either the Human Nutrition or Exercise Physiology module, and all the remaining modules except the Research Project. 

• Human Nutrition (20 M credits) provides a comprehensive overview of the different nutrients required by humans throughout the life cycle and their sources in food in the UK and worldwide. It also critically evaluates methods used to assess nutrient intake at an individual and population level. The relationship between lifestyle and body composition will also be covered.
• Exercise Physiology (20 M credits) examines the fundamental concepts in exercise physiology. Content includes acute and chronic adaptations to exercise, biochemistry and function of skeletal muscle, principles of exercise training, physiology of special populations (eg children, women, elderly and elite athletes) and immune function. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions.
• Sport and Exercise Nutrition in Practice (20 M credits) draws upon the experience of experts who are currently involved in providing nutritional support for people who participate in sport and exercise. Where appropriate, the module will use the expertise of guest lecturers in addition to the core teaching team. Strategies that focus on selected techniques known to enhance healthy dietary strategies will be covered. Finally, the use of case studies and practical experience will link the theoretical and applied aspects of the course to provide graduates with the skills necessary to meet the challenges faced by contemporary sport and exercise nutritionists.
• Research Methods (20 M credits) provides a foundation and training in fundamental research methods, from literature searching, experimental planning and design to data analysis and presentation. Assessment is by coursework only.
• Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health (20 M credits) examines the relationships between nutrition, physical activity and health outcomes in humans. In particular, the influence of diet and physical activity on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity will be considered along with counselling and goal-setting for diet, nutrition and exercise.
• Current Research in Sport, Exercise and Nutrition (20 M credits) examines and explores contemporary research in sport and exercise nutrition. This class will promote discussion of the latest findings from peer reviewed journals. You will also be expected to contribute to this discussion through directed and independent reading of relevant material. Additionally, various keynote speakers from Oxford Brookes and other institutions will communicate insight into the current working practice of applied scientists through a series of seminars.
• Laboratory Techniques in Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 M credits) consists of a practical component using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques including portable calorimetry, densitometry, haematology and urine analysis. The module will include comprehensive testing on both invited athletes and classmates. In addition to the practical element, a main focus of the module is placed on data interpretation and presentation to aid report writing for scientific publications and also athlete and coach feedback. Enrolment on the module also entitles you to complementary registration for the highly sought-after International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) Level 1 qualification (on completion of the required additional practical and theoretical components).
• Research Project (60 M credits) consists of an intensive period of research into a selected topic in sport and exercise nutrition. You will work closely with an appointed supervisor to establish a project topic and identify an appropriate intervention. The research project will be primarily assessed by dissertation submission. Past projects have included fluid and energy delivery from sports drinks during cycling and rowing, accuracy of calorie expenditure estimates of popular sports equipment and effects from ingestion of the dietary supplement 'Pycnogenol' for exercisers.

Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the list of modules may vary from that shown here.

Faculty

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Sport and Health Sciences

Course length

Full-time: MSc: 12 months, PGDip: 8 months
Part-time: MSc: 24 months, PGDip: 20 months

Teaching location

Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

P036858

Entry requirements

To successfully complete a postgraduate course, you are usually expected to have (or be about to attain) at least a second class honours degree in a related scientific subject from a recognised institution of higher education. If you do not have these academic qualifications, you could still be offered a place on this course if you can show evidence of the potential to succeed based on professional and/or related experiences. 

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Emma Shaw

Detailed feedback on assignments ensured you understood how to improve through the different course modules.

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Why Oxford is a great place to study Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition

As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries, which provides you with a host of learning opportunities.

Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.

In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Law Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.

Daniel Burns

The support which I received from my lecturers was excellent and during term time lecturers were always available.

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Support for students studying Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition

• Supervision from internationally-recognised academics
• Part-time opportunities for students based in the workplace
• Excellent facilities giving access to the latest technology
• A mixture of funded and self/externally-funded places
• High-profile research events.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Departmental research highlights

One of the biggest accolades for a research student is to see their work presented at a conference or published in a scientific journal. Many studies that have been conducted by previous students are going through this process. Students have recently submitted and presented work at conferences and have published abstracts. These include:

Ramsbottom, R., Cross, P., and Gilder, M. (2011). Effect of solutions, differing in their carbohydrate status, on autonomic function. Submitted to BASES annual conference, University of Essex, UK.

Wootton-Beard, P. C., Venables, M. C., Kirk, T., and Simpson, C. H. (2010). Consumption of a Carbohydrate-Protein beverage improves cycling time to exhaustion following exercise of varying intensity. Presented at BASES student conference, the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, UK.

Meyova, Z., Salbany, F., and Venables, M. C. (2010). Acute green tea extract ingestion and its effect on substrate metabolism and cycling performance. Presented at 1st International Functional Food Conference, Oxford, UK.

Further studies are in preparation for publication:

Graham, S., Venables, M. C., and Simpson, C. H. (2011). The effects of pre-exercise carbohydrate timing on running capacity.

Pieri, A., Veniamakis, E., Venables, M.C., and Simpson, C. H. (2011). Effects of caffeine on fluid balance after exercise induced dehydration.

Research areas and clusters

• Immediate physiological and psychophysical exercise performed at different intensities.
• Effects of restricted fluid intake in people with MS on temperature control, energy levels, balance and cognitive and physical performance.
• Feasibility of supporting people with long-term neurological conditions to exercise in the community.
• Exploring exercise responses in children with physical disabilities with plans to explore delivery of community exercise and sports programmes.
• Exploring novel exercise delivery techniques for people who find it hard to move, including use of mental imagery.
• Effect of fluid and carbohydrate intake on rowing skill and performance.
• Relationship between levels of physical activity and blood levels of neuroactive proteins induced by exercise.
• Green tea effect on competitive cycling performance.
• Effective nutritional strategies for enhancing post-exercise rehydration.