Whether you’re a coach, fitness professional, athlete, or sports enthusiast, this course empowers you to enhance performance, promote wellbeing, and apply best-practice strategies across a variety of sporting and fitness settings.
The Advanced Certificate in Sports Psychology and Nutrition is a professional development course that equips athletes, teams, and individuals with tools to achieve peak sporting performance.
In this sports psychology course (combined sports nutrition course), you will discover the foundations of sports psychology, team dynamics, communication and leadership to support inclusive sporting environments. You will also learn about the importance of mental health and wellbeing, exploring resilience, mindfulness, pre-performance routines, and the psychological challenges arising from injury, burnout, and recovery.
You will also learn about the critical role of macronutrients, energy systems, hydration, supplementation, and nutrition to sport-specific nutritional requirements. You will learn about meal plans, competition-day strategies, and recovery nutrition that supports performance goals.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to apply psychological and nutritional insight to optimise sporting performance.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Certificate in Sports Psychology
Unit 1: Introduction to Sport Psychology
- Introduction to sport psychology
- Definition and scope of sport psychology
- Roles and responsibilities of sport psychologists
- Using sport psychology knowledge in non-psychologist roles
- Myths and realities
- Psychological strategies for performance and well-being
Unit 2: Motivation and Goal Setting
- Motivation and goal setting
- Theories of motivation
- Achievement goal theory
- Need achievement theory
- Attribution theory
- Goal setting theory
- Social cognitive theory
- Flow theory
- Theory of planned behaviour
- Affective-reflective theory
- Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation
- Self-determination theory
- Identifying personal and team motivators
- Strategies for building and sustaining motivation
- Overcoming obstacles and maintaining focus during setbacks
Unit 3: Mental Skills for Performance
- Mental skills for performance
- Visualisation and imagery techniques
- Positive self-talk and affirmations
- Concentration and attention control
- Building self-confidence in sport settings
- Pre-performance routines and mental preparation
- Mindfulness and relaxation methods in sport
Unit 4: Stress, Anxiety, and Coping Strategies
- Stress, anxiety, and coping strategies
- Sources of stress and anxiety in sport and exercise
- Effects of stress and anxiety on performance
- Coping strategies for managing pressure
- Relaxation techniques
- Building resilience under pressure
- Mental health challenges in sport
Unit 5: Team Dynamics and Communication
- Team dynamics and communication
- Group dynamics and cohesion
- Trust, respect, and shared goals
- Communication skills for athletes and coaches
- Conflict resolution and feedback
- Leadership and role clarity
- Strategies for enhancing team motivation
Unit 6: Injury, Recovery, and Psychological Health
- Injury, recovery, and psychological health
- Psychological impact of injuries and setbacks
- Supporting athletes through recovery and return to play
- Coping with pain and loss of athletic identity
- Building resilience and positive mental health
- Psychological challenges: burnout and overtraining
- Promoting holistic wellbeing in sports
Unit 7: Diversity, Ethics, and Inclusive Practices
- Diversity, ethics, and inclusive practices
- Understanding diversity in sport
- Creating equitable and inclusive sport environments
- Ethical standards and professional responsibilities
- Discrimination and bias
- Supporting underrepresented and marginalised populations
- Cultural competence in sport
Unit 8: Technology, Innovation, and the Future of Sport Psychology
- Technology, innovation, and the future of sport psychology
- Digital tools and apps for mental skills training
- Wearable technology and feedback
- Virtual reality (VR) and gamification
- Data analytics and sport psychology
- Sports psychology and coaching trends
- Innovation and best practice
Unit 2 - Certificate of Sports Nutrition
Unit 1 – Foundations of Sports Nutrition
- Introduction to macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
- The role of vitamins and minerals in athletic performance
- Understanding micronutrients and balancing intake
- Recommended Daily Intakes (RDI) for athletes
- Energy requirements and expenditure
- The principles of a balanced diet
- The relationship between diet and performance
- Tools for assessing food composition, including glycaemic index and food composition tables
Unit 2 – Energy Systems and Performance
- Overview of chemical energy and calories
- The role of energy balance in performance
- Body energy systems: ATP production, glycolytic system, and oxidative system
- Adaptations of energy systems through training
- Understanding calorie expenditure in different activities
- Energy metabolism and fuel utilisation in sports
- Practical applications for optimising energy use
Unit 3 – Tailored Nutrition for Different Sports
- Nutritional needs across various sports:
- Endurance sports
- Strength and power sports
- Team sports
- Aesthetic and weight-dependent sports
- Skill-based and recreational activities
- Strategies for balancing macronutrients for optimal performance
- Adjusting nutritional plans based on sport-specific demands
Unit 4 – Hydration for Optimal Performance
- The impact of hydration on athletic performance
- Identifying signs and symptoms of dehydration
- Guidelines for meeting individual hydration needs
- Understanding and managing electrolyte balance
- Long-term risks associated with dehydration
- Practical hydration strategies for training and competition
- Innovations in hydration: tools and technology
Unit 5 – Sports Supplements and Popular Diets
- Overview of sports supplements:
- Science-supported supplements
- Supplements with limited evidence
- Benefits, risks, and ethical considerations of supplementation
- Analysis of popular diets and their impact on athletic performance:
- Ketogenic diet
- Plant-based diets
- Intermittent fasting
- Customising diets for athletic goals
Unit 6 – Nutrition for Recovery and Competition
- Designing effective pre-competition meals and snacks
- Nutritional strategies for competition day
- Recovery nutrition principles:
- Timing of nutrient intake post-exercise
- Carbohydrate loading for endurance recovery
- Protein needs for muscle repair
- Managing fatigue and inflammation post-event
Unit 7 – Meal Timing and Strategic Planning
- Importance of meal timing for performance and recovery:
- Pre-exercise nutrition
- Nutrition during exercise
- Post-exercise nutrition
- Customising nutrition plans for individual needs
- Developing effective meal plans:
- Strategies for busy schedules, travel, and competition
- Planning for specific goals, such as weight management or muscle gain
Unit 8 – Advanced Topics in Nutrition
- Gut health and its influence on performance:
- The gut microbiome and its role in athlete health
- Strategies to support gut health
- Specialised nutrition for specific groups:
- Youth athletes
- Aging athletes
- Female athletes
- Recognising and addressing disordered eating patterns
- Emerging trends and research in sports nutrition
Study Hours
Estimated duration 90 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Printed Materials – Free to Print
Course materials for this program are available to print at no extra cost.
Testimonials
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
- Sporting coach
- Fitness professional
- Athlete
- Sports/fitness enthusiast
- Nutritionist
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