Level: Level 2
Age Group: 16+
Prerequisites: None

Guided Learning Hours:

• Short Self-Paced (SSP): 4 hours – covers Learning Outcomes 1–3 only
  
• Self-Paced/Tutor-Led: 14 hours – covers all 10 Learning Outcomes, excluding written tasks
• Tutor-Led (Extended): 23 hours 20 minutes (includes 3 written tasks)

The CPD in Understanding Nutritional Strategies for Endurance and Long-Distance Athletes delivers targeted knowledge to support peak performance, recovery, and resilience in athletes engaged in sustained physical activity. Designed for wellness professionals, trainers, and nutrition advisors, this course explores how to optimise energy systems, macronutrient intake, hydration, and recovery through practical, evidence-based approaches.

Learners will develop the ability to personalise nutritional strategies based on performance goals, training cycles, and individual needs. Key areas include fuelling, hydration, micronutrient support, supplement use, gut health, and nutrition periodisation—each critical for maintaining endurance, preventing fatigue, and supporting overall health in long-distance athletes.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Explain the energy demands of endurance and long-distance athletes
• Apply carbohydrate fuelling and loading strategies to improve stamina and performance
• Balance fats and proteins effectively to support endurance, repair, and recovery
• Implement hydration strategies tailored to environmental conditions and athlete needs
• Identify essential micronutrients and assess their roles in endurance performance
• Plan nutrition periodisation aligned to training intensity and competition phases
• Evaluate the use of evidence-based supplements and their applications in sport
• Manage digestive issues and support gut health in endurance athletes
• Design personalised nutrition plans that accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions
• Promote long-term nutrition strategies that support performance and overall well-being
• Monitor signs of nutritional imbalances or deficiencies impacting performance
• Educate athletes on building sustainable and practical nutrition habits
  
  

Short Self-Paced (SSP) and Self-Paced/Tutor-Led:
Participants will complete automarked quizzes mapped to each assessment criterion, with instant feedback to reinforce key knowledge and practical understanding.

Tutor-Led (Extended):
Participants will complete 3 written assignments applying nutritional concepts to realistic scenarios. These are tutor-marked with personalised developmental feedback.

The CPD in Understanding Nutritional Strategies for Endurance and Long-Distance Athletes prepares professionals to deliver precise and effective nutrition coaching for athletes across a variety of endurance disciplines. Covering everything from fuelling to recovery, hydration to gut health, this course ensures learners can design evidence-informed, athlete-centred strategies that enhance both performance and longevity in sport.

The course specification outlined below include the learning outcomes, assessment requirements, and all associated assessment criteria.