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 sports nutrition for training and 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 Assess athlete’s information needs in relation to nutrition for peak performance in relevant sporting activity.

2. Liaise with nutritional support personnel.

2.1 Select appropriate support personnel to assist athletes.

2.2 Consult with sports nutritional personnel to identify the specific nutritional requirements for training and performance in the sporting activity.

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

2.4 Confirm scope of authority with key personnel in relation to role within sport structure.

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 strategies to 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 eating disorders and refer athletes to sports physician or accredited sports dietitian.

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 Review effectiveness of strategies in consultation with athletes and support staff and make adjustments where required.

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 training and 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

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

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

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

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

principles of hydration and fluid replacement practices in order to correctly inform athletes

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

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 sports nutrition 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

develops a rapport with athletes and encourages them to clarify information and access supporting resources.

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.

Guidance information for assessment

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 sports nutrition for training and performance may include:

the dietary guidelines for Australians

macro- and micro-nutrient intake to enhance training:

eating and drinking before and during exercise

recovery nutrition

managing physique (weight gain or loss)

hydration and fluid replacement

body image.

Support personnel may include:

accredited sports dietician

psychologist

sport administrators

other coaches

team managers

sports physician

sports trainer

sports doctor

sports scientists

parents or guardians.

Resources may include:

sporting bodies

sponsors

coaches

government bodies

support services.

Nutrition requirements may include:

daily nutrient and fluid intake to support health and training demands

nutrition presentation for competition:

carbohydrate loading

pre-event meal

hydration

food and fluid intake during the event

food and fluid intake after the event

food and fluid intake during travel

sports foods, dietary supplements and ergogenic aids.

Nutritional practices may include:

daily intake of a wide and varied diet

maintenance of an appropriate physique

nutrient intake prior to and the day of competition

food and fluid intake during the competition or event

appropriate use of sports foods and/or ergongenic aids

food and fluid intake after the competition or event.

Approaches may include:

discussions

open questions.

Strategies may include:

educational programs

eating plans

intervention strategies

development of ethical codes and policies.

Symptoms may include:

fatigue

loss of endurance

increase in occurrences of colds and infections

irritability.

Nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders may include:

vitamin/mineral deficiencies (common: iron, calcium, Vitamin D)

chronic dehydration

female athlete triad:

low energy availability

menstrual dysfunction

suboptimal bone mineral density

anorexia nervosa

bulimia nervosa.