NS 4444 - Sports Nutrition and Supplements, Concepts and Evidence

Spring. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: NS 1150 and NS 3200, BIOMG 3300, or BIOMG 3310 and concurrent registration in NS 3410 or BIOAP 3110, or permission of instructor.

J. T. Brenna, C. M. McCormick.

The influence of foods, supplements, and pharmaceuticals on human physiology and metabolism will be considered with a focus on athletic performance. The evolving antidoping regulatory structure including chemical testing for doping agents will be introduced in the context of human nutrition and biology.

Outcome 1: Evaluate basic evidence required for acceptance of medical information.

Outcome 2: Discuss the nutrients covered by the American Dietetics Association in the context of modified requirements for athletics. Specifically, fuels (carbs, protein, fat), water, electrolytes (Na, K, Cl), and iron will be specifically discussed in the context of well documented enhanced requirements for athletes. Evidence for enhanced needs for other nutrients in specific situations will be covered as well.

Outcome 3: Explain the difference between an ergogenic aid/dopant and a nutrient. Describe hormone and stimulant action in connection to athletic performance. The case of blood doping legal (altitude training) and illegal (EPO, transfusions) will serve as an example.

Outcome 4: To understand intake of nutrients, supplement active ingredients, and doping agents relevant to elementary pharmacology, specifically drug L/ADME/T (Liberation/Absorption - Distribution-Metabolism-Excretion/Toxicology) and pharmacokinetic curves. This requires quantitative analysis of concentration-time (kinetic) curves and modeling, understanding of analyte detectability, does-response, and biological thresholds. It also requires inspection and evaluation of curve-shapes.

Outcome 5: To describe basics of the world antidoping structure in the context of biological doping control. This requires elementary application of ADME to inform discussions of clearance and excretion.