ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Analyse information.

1.1. Collect and analyse relevant and current information from a range of sources in relation to the principles of nutrition for performance.

1.2. Identify support personnel and resources available to assist athletes with nutritional issues.

1.3. Assess athlete's information needs in relation to nutrition for peak performance in relevant sporting activity.

1.4. Maintain and update information on nutrition for performance.

2. Liaise with nutritional support personnel.

2.1. Select appropriate nutritional support personnel to assist athletes.

2.2. Consult with nutritional support personnel to identify the specific nutritional requirements for peak performancein the sporting activity.

2.3. Identify nutritional practices to enhance peak performance in the sporting activity.

3. Provide information to athletes.

3.1. Assess nutrition needs and preferences of athletes in relation to sporting activity.

3.2. Inform athletes of the nutritional requirements for peak performance in the relevant sporting activity.

3.3. Present information to athletes in a style appropriate to the needs of the athletes and the coaching setting.

3.4. Use appropriate activities and learning experiences to deliver information.

3.5. Check understanding of athletes regarding nutritional requirements for peak sporting performance using appropriate approaches and encourage athletes to clarify information.

3.6. Encourage athletes to seek advice and support from identified nutritional support personnel.

4. Assist athletes to implement nutritional practices.

4.1. Select implementation strategiesto enhance peak performance in the sporting activity in consultation with the athlete and nutritional support personnel.

4.2. Assist and support athletes to implement selected strategies in training and competition according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.3. Monitor implementation of nutritional practices during training or competition according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.4. Identify symptoms associated with possible nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders.

4.5. Refer athletes who have symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders to nutritional support personnel for treatment.

5. Evaluate the effect of nutritional practices on the performance of athletes.

5.1. Analyse the performance of athletes in competition situations.

5.2. Assess the effect of nutritional practices on performance in the activity or sport in consultation with the athlete and nutritional support personnel.

5.3. Adjust nutritional practices to better assist athletes to achieve peak performance in the activity in consultation with the athlete and nutritional support personnel.

Required skills

communication skills to:

build rapport with athletes and support personnel

access, analyse and convey information about the principles and practices of nutrition for peak performance to athletes

negotiate appropriate strategies to enhance peak performance with athletes and seek feedback on their effectiveness

language and literacy skills to access and interpret information on the principles of nutrition for peak performance relevant to the appropriate sport

problem-solving skills to:

assess effectiveness of nutritional practices to enhance performance and to modify accordingly

recognise nutritional issues and refer these to appropriate support personnel.

Required knowledge

nutritional guidelines to enable the provision of accurate information about the principles and practices of nutrition for peak performance to athletes

five food groups in order to assist athletes to identify and balance nutritional requirements for peak performance

principles and practices of nutrition for peak performance relevant to specific activity or sport to enable appropriate advice and support to be provided to athletes in specific settings

training and competition diets and dietary nutrients in order to advise athletes on correct eating for optimal performance

organisational policies and procedures to enable athletes to implement strategies regarding nutritional practices in a professional and supported manner

nutritional supplementation principles in order to assist athletes to develop appropriate supplements to their diets

body weight monitoring methods in order to assist athletes to monitor their weight effectively

safe weight loss and weight gain principles in order to support athletes to adopt principles of nutrition to gain and maintain a weight for peak performance

principles of hydration and fluid replacement practices in order to correctly advise athletes to maximise performance

information sources regarding principles and practices of nutrition for peak performance.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

acquires, selects and adapts information on nutritional principles and practices to develop and maintain professional knowledge for own sporting area

works with support personnel to identify nutritional requirements for sport-specific peak performance and selects and communicates information appropriate to the needs of athletes

consults with athletes and support personnel to develop, implement and review strategies to enhance peak performance and to support them in a coaching setting

monitors nutritional practices of athletes and refers issues of nutritional deficiencies to appropriate support personnel.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure interaction with a range of athletes specific to the candidate's current or intended coaching role to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a sport-specific training or competition setting

athletes and support personnel

sources of information about nutritional principles and practices for peak performance

current organisational policies and procedures that impact on implementation of nutritional practices for peak performance.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of interaction with athletes and support personnel including discussions and implementation of nutritional practices for peak performance

observation of consultation with athletes to review strategies to support them to apply nutritional practices to achieve peak performance

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the principles of nutrition for peak performance

third-party reports from coaches or other support staff detailing examples of interactions and discussions with athletes and support personnel such as the implementation of strategies to support athletes with nutrition.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

relevant sport-specific coaching units of competency.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources may include:

sporting bodies

sponsors

other coaches

government bodies

support services

multimedia

information kits.

Principles of nutrition for performance may include:

basic nutritional guidelines

five food groups

balanced diets

fluid replacement and hydration

heat injury

training and competition diets

eating disorders

weight management.

Support personnel may include:

sports psychologists

nutritionists

administrators

other coaches

sports scientists

sports medicine providers

other health professionals

parents or guardians.

Resources may include:

sporting bodies

sponsors

coaches

government bodies

support services.

Athletes may include:

beginner through to high performance level competitors

athletes under 16 years of age who require parent or guardian consent prior to being included in a training program

female or male athletes

athletes with a disability or special needs

athletes from minority ethnic and cultural groups.

Nutritional requirements for peak performance may include:

pre-event meals and hydration

food and fluid intake during the event

food and fluid intake after the event

long term nutrient and fluid requirements.

Nutritional practices to enhance peak performance may include:

consumption of particular foods

exclusion of particular foods

use of nutritional supplements

use of sports drinks for fluid replacement

weight loss and gain.

Approaches may include:

discussions

open questions.

Strategies may include:

educational programs

eating plans

intervention strategies

development of ethical codes and policies.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

codes of conduct

duty of care

confidentiality

occupational health and safety.

Symptoms may include:

fatigue

loss of endurance

increase in occurrences of colds and infections

irritability.

Nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders may include:

vitamin deficiencies

anorexia nervosa

bulimia

obesity

dehydration.