Discover how to optimize nutrition in athletes with special needs and take your knowledge to a higher level with this Hybrid professional master’s degree"

The field of sports nutrition has experienced significant growth in recent years, especially with regard to specialization in specific populations, such as athletes with disabilities or diabetics, among others. This growth has generated the need for university programs that provide professionals with the necessary tools to address these populations efficiently and effectively. 

In this context, TECH has created the Hybrid professional master’s degree in Sports Nutrition in Special Populations. The program focuses on the combination of theory and practice, with a complete and exhaustive theoretical section and a practical stay in a prestigious center for 3 weeks. 

In the theoretical section, the program covers several modules that delve into muscle and metabolic physiology related to exercise, the assessment of the athlete at different times of the season, water sports, extreme conditions, vegetarianism and veganism, type 1 diabetic athletes, nutrition in para-sports, sports by weight category, different stages, or specific populations and the injury period. 

It is important to emphasize that the combination of theory and practice is fundamental in the field of Sports Nutrition in Special Populations, since only through complete and up-to-date instruction can professionals offer a quality service adapted to the specific needs of athletes. In addition, the practical stay in a prestigious center will allow students to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired and gain invaluable experience in the field of sports nutrition. 

Therefore, the Hybrid professional master’s degree in Sports Nutrition in Special Populations is an excellent option for physical therapists who wish to update their knowledge in this constantly evolving field. The 100% online format of the theoretical section makes it compatible with the most demanding responsibilities and can be combined with all kinds of schedules.

Become an expert in sports nutrition and learn how to apply your knowledge to treat sports injuries and improve physical performance"

This Hybrid professional master’s degree in Sports Nutrition in Special Populations contains the most complete and up-to-date scientific program on the market. The most important features include: 

• Development of more than 100 case studies presented by physiotherapy and nutrition professionals with extensive experience in the care of special populations
• The graphic, schematic and practical contents with which they are conceived, gather essential information on those disciplines that are essential for professional practice
• All of this will be complemented by theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an Internet connection
• In addition, you will be able to do an internship in one of the best companies

Develop your skills in identifying nutritional needs in athletes with disabilities, the elderly and children and learn how to design personalized syllabus"

In this Master's proposal, of a professionalizing nature and hybrid learning modality, the program is aimed at updating physiotherapy professionals who carry out sports nutrition plans, especially for special populations. The contents are based on the latest scientific evidence, and oriented in an educational way to integrate theoretical knowledge in physiotherapeutic practice, and the theoretical-practical elements will facilitate the updating of knowledge and will allow decision-making in patient management.

Thanks to multimedia content developed with the latest educational technology, they will allow physiotherapy professionals a situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide immersive learning programmed to prepare professionals for real situations. This program is designed around Problem-Based Learning, whereby the professional must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise throughout the program. For this purpose, the students will be assisted by an innovative interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts.

Enhance your career as a physical therapist and acquire skills in sports nutrition to improve the physical well-being of your patients"

Expand your knowledge in sports nutrition and specialize in the treatment of special populations such as people with disabilities or diabetes"

The planning of the teaching in the Hybrid professional master’s degree in Sports Nutrition in Special Populations is based on an innovative and rigorous methodology. The contents of the program draw on a variety of sources, such as complementary readings, in-depth videos and simulated case studies, to provide students with a complete and up-to-date view of the field of sports nutrition. In addition, the continuous interaction between the students and the faculty encourages active participation and collaborative learning, allowing students to acquire practical skills and apply the knowledge acquired in real situations.

Learn from working professionals, with experience in the field of sports nutrition and specialized in special populations"

Module 1. Muscle and Metabolic Physiology Associated with Exercise 

1.1. Cardiovascular Adaptations Related to Exercise 

1.1.1. Increased Systolic Volume 
1.1.2. Decreased Heart Rate 

1.2. Ventilatory Adaptations Related to Exercise 

1.2.1. Changes in the Ventilatory Volume 
1.2.2. Changes in Oxygen Consumption 

1.3. Hormonal Adaptations Related to Exercise 

1.3.1. Cortisol 
1.3.2. Testosterone 

1.4. Muscle Structure and Types of Muscle Fibers 

1.4.1. Muscle Fiber 
1.4.2. Type I Muscle Fiber 
1.4.3. Type II Muscle Fibers 

1.5. The Concept of Lactic Threshold 
1.6. ATP and Phosphagen Metabolism 

1.6.1. Metabolic Pathways for ATP Resynthesis during Exercise 
1.6.2. Phosphagen Metabolism 

1.7. Carbohydrate Metabolism 

1.7.1. Carbohydrate Mobilization during Exercise 
1.7.2. Types of Glycolysis 

1.8. Lipid Metabolism 

1.8.1. Lipolysis 
1.8.2. Fat Oxidation during Exercise 
1.8.3. Ketone Bodies 

1.9. Protein Metabolism 

1.9.1. Ammonium Metabolism 
1.9.2. Amino Acid Oxidation 

1.10. Mixed Bioenergetics of Muscle Fibers 

1.10.1. Energy Sources and their Relation to Exercise 
1.10.2. Factors Determining the Use of One or Another Energy Source during Exercise 

Module 2. Evaluation of the Athlete at Different Times of the Season

2.1. Biochemical Evaluation 

2.1.1. Blood Count
2.1.2. Overtraining Markers 

2.2. Anthropometric Assessment 

2.2.1. Body composition 
2.2.2. ISAK Profile 

2.3. Preseason 

2.3.1. High Workload 
2.3.2. Assuring Caloric and Protein Intake 

2.4. Competitive Season 

2.4.1. Sports Performance 
2.4.2. Recovery between Games 

2.5. Transition Period 

2.5.1. Vacation Period 
2.5.2. Changes in Body Composition 

2.6. Travel 

2.6.1. Tournaments during the Season 
2.6.2. Off-Season Tournaments (World Cups, European Cups and JJ.OO.) 

2.7. Athlete Monitoring 

2.7.1. Basal Athlete Status 
2.7.2. Evolution during the Season 

2.8. Sweat Rate Calculation 

2.8.1. Hydric Losses 
2.8.2. Calculation Protocol 

2.9. Multidisciplinary Work 

2.9.1. The Role of the Nutritionist in the Athlete's Environment 
2.9.2. Communication with the Rest of the Areas 

2.10. Doping 

2.10.1. WADA List 
2.10.2. Anti-doping Tests 

Module 3. Watersports 

3.1. History of Watersports 

3.1.1. Olympics and Major Tournaments 
3.1.2. Watersports Today 

3.2. Performance Limitations 

3.2.1. Water Sports in the Water (Swimming, Water Polo...) 
3.2.2. Water Sports on the Water (Surfing, Sailing, Canoeing, Canoeing...) 

3.3. The Basic Characteristics of Water Sports 

3.3.1. Water Sports in the Water (Swimming, Water Polo...) 
3.3.2. Water Sports on the Water (Surfing, Sailing, Canoeing, Canoeing...) 

3.4. Physiology in Aquatic Sports 

3.4.1. Energy Metabolism 
3.4.2. Athlete Biotype 

3.5. Education 

3.5.1. Strength 
3.5.2. Resistance 

3.6. Body composition 

3.6.1. Swimming 
3.6.2. Water polo 

3.7. Pre-competition 

3.7.1. 3 Hours Before 
3.7.2. 1 Hour Before 

3.8. Pre-competition 

3.8.1. Carbohydrates 
3.8.2. Hydration 

3.9. After the Competition 

3.9.1. Hydration 
3.9.2. Protein 

3.10. Ergogenic Aids 

3.10.1. Creatine 
3.10.2. Caffeine 

Module 4. Adverse Conditions 

4.1. The History of Sport in Extreme Conditions 

4.1.1. Winter Competitions throughout History 
4.1.2. Competitions in Hot Environments Today 

4.2. Performance Limitations in Hot Climates 

4.2.1. Dehydration 
4.2.2. Fatigue 

4.3. Basic Characteristics in Hot Climates 

4.3.1. High Temperature and Humidity 
4.3.2. Acclimatization 

4.4. Nutrition and Hydration in Hot Climates 

4.4.1. Hydration and Electrolytes 
4.4.2. Carbohydrates 

4.5. Performance Limitations in Cold Climates 

4.5.1. Fatigue 
4.5.2. Bulky Clothing 

4.6. Basic Characteristics in Cold Climates 

4.6.1. Extreme Cold 
4.6.2. Reduced VO2 Max

4.7. Nutrition and Hydration in Cold Climates 

4.7.1. Hydration 
4.7.2. Carbohydrates 

Module 5. Vegetarianism and Veganism 

5.1. Vegetarianism and Veganism in the History of Sport 

5.1.1. The Beginnings of Veganism in Sport 
5.1.2. Vegetarian Athletes Today 

5.2. Different Types of Vegan Food 

5.2.1. The Vegan Athlete 
5.2.2. The Vegetarian Athlete 

5.3. Common Errors in the Vegan Athlete 

5.3.1. Energy Balance
5.3.2. Protein Consumption 

5.4. Vitamin B12 

5.4.1. B12 Supplementation 
5.4.2. Bioavailability of Spirulina Algae 

5.5. Protein Sources in the Vegan/Vegetarian Diet 

5.5.1. Protein Quality 
5.5.2. Environmental Sustainability 

5.6. Other Key Nutrients in Vegans 

5.6.1. Conversion of ALA to EPA/DHA 
5.6.2. Fe, Ca, Vit-D and Zn

5.7. Biochemical Evaluation/Nutritional Shortcomings 

5.7.1. Anaemia 
5.7.2. Sarcopenia 

5.8. Vegan vs. Omnivorous Food 

5.8.1. Evolutionary Food 
5.8.2. Current Food 

5.9. Ergogenic Aids 

5.9.1. Creatine 
5.9.2. Vegetable Protein 

5.10. Factors that Decrease Nutrient Absorption 

5.10.1. High Fiber Intake 
5.10.2. Oxalates 

Module 6. The Type 1 Diabetic Athlete 

6.1. Knowing about Diabetes and its Pathology 

6.1.1. The Incidence of Diabetes 
6.1.2. Pathophysiology of Diabetes 
6.1.3. The Consequences of Diabetes 

6.2. Exercise Physiology in People with Diabetes 

6.2.1. Maximal, Submaximal Exercise and Muscle Metabolism during Exercise 
6.2.2. Differences in the Metabolic Level during Exercise in People with Diabetes 

6.3. Exercise in People with Type 1 Diabetes 

6.3.1. Exercise in People with Type 1 Diabetes 
6.3.2. Exercise Duration and Carbohydrate Intake 

6.4. Exercise in People with Type 2 Diabetes. Blood Sugar Control 

6.4.1. Risks of Physical Activity in People with Type 2 Diabetes 
6.4.2. Benefits of Exercise in People with Type 2 Diabetes 

6.5. Exercise in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes 

6.5.1. Metabolic Effects of Exercise 
6.5.2. Precautions during Exercise 

6.6. Insulin Therapy and Exercise 

6.6.1. Insulin Infusion Pump 
6.6.2. Types of Insulins 

6.7. Nutritional Strategies during Sport and Exercise in Type 1 Diabetes 

6.7.1. From Theory to Practice 
6.7.2. Carbohydrate Intake Before, During and After Physical Exercise 
6.7.3. Hydration Before, During and After Physical Exercise 

6.8. Nutritional Planning in Endurance Sports 

6.8.1. Marathon 
6.8.2. Cycling 

6.9. Nutritional Planning in Team Sports 

6.9.1. Soccer 
6.9.2. Rugby 

6.10. Sports Supplements and Diabetes 

6.10.1. Potentially Beneficial Supplements for Athletes with Diabetes 

Module 7. Parathletes 

7.1. Classification and Categories in Parathletes 

7.1.1. What is a Parathlete? 
7.1.2. How are Parathletes Classified? 

7.2. Sports Science in Parathletes 

7.2.1. Metabolism and Physiology 
7.2.2. Biomechanics 
7.2.3. Psychology 

7.3. Energy Requirements and Hydration in Parathletes 

7.3.1. Optimal Energy Demands for Training 
7.3.2. Hydration Planning before, during and after Training and Competitions 

7.4. Nutritional Problems in the Different Categories of Para Athletes According to Pathology or Anomaly 

7.4.1. Spinal Cord Injuries 
7.4.2. Cerebral Palsy and Acquired Brain Injuries 
7.4.3. Amputees 
7.4.4. Vision and Hearing Impairment 
7.4.5. Intellectual Impairments 

7.5. Nutritional Planning in Parathletes With Spinal Cord Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Acquired Brain Injuries 

7.5.1. Nutritional Requirements (Macro and Micronutrients) 
7.5.2. Sweating and Fluid Replacement during Exercise 

7.6. Nutritional Planning in Amputee Parathletes 

7.6.1. Energy Requirements 
7.6.2. Macronutrients 
7.6.3. Thermoregulation and Hydration 
7.6.4. Nutritional Issues Related to Prosthetics 

7.7. Planning and Nutritional Problems in Para Athletes with Vision-Hearing Impairment and Intellectual Impairment 

7.7.1. Sports Nutrition Problems With Vision Impairment: Retinitis Pigmentosa, Diabetic Retinopathy, Albinism, Stargardt's Disease and Hearing Pathologies 
7.7.2. Sports Nutrition Problems With Intellectual Deficiencies: Down Syndrome, Autism, Asperger and Phenylketonuria 

7.8. Body Composition in Parathletes 

7.8.1. Measurement Techniques 
7.8.2. Factors Influencing the Reliability of Different Measurement Methods 

7.9. Pharmacology and Nutrient Interactions 

7.9.1. Different Types of Drugs Taken by Parathletes 
7.9.2. Micronutrient Deficiencies in Parathletes 

7.10. Ergogenic Aids 

7.10.1. Potentially Beneficial Supplements for Parathletes 
7.10.2. Negative Health Consequences, Contamination and Doping Problems Due To the Intake of Ergogenic Aids 

Module 8. Sports by Weight Category 

8.1. Characteristics of the Main Sports by Weight Category 

8.1.1. Regulation 
8.1.2. Categories 

8.2. Programming of the Season 

8.2.1. Competitions 
8.2.2. Macrocycle 

8.3. Body composition 

8.3.1. Combat Sports 
8.3.2. Weightlifting 

8.4. Stages of Muscle Mass Gain 

8.4.1. % Body Fat 
8.4.2. Programming 

8.5. Definition Stages 

8.5.1. Carbohydrates 
8.5.2. Protein 

8.6. Pre-competition 

8.6.1. Peak Weak 
8.6.2. Before Weighing 

8.7. Pre-competition 

8.7.1. Practical Applications 
8.7.2. Timing 

8.8. After the Competition 

8.8.1. Hydration 
8.8.2. Protein 

8.9. Ergogenic Aids 

8.9.1. Creatine 
8.9.2. Whey Protein 

Module 9. Different Stages or Specific Population Groups 

9.1. Nutrition in the Female Athlete 

9.1.1. Limiting Factors 
9.1.2. Requirements 

9.2. Menstrual Cycle 

9.2.1. Luteal Phase 
9.2.2. Follicular Phase 

9.3. Triad 

9.3.1. Amenorrea 
9.3.2. Osteoporosis 

9.4. Nutrition in the Pregnant Female Athlete 

9.4.1. Energy Requirements 
9.4.2. Micronutrients 

9.5. The Effects of Physical Exercise on the Child Athlete 

9.5.1. Strength Training 
9.5.2. Endurance Training 

9.6. Nutritional Education in the Child Athlete 

9.6.1. Sugar 
9.6.2. Eating Disorders 

9.7. Nutritional Requirements in the Child Athlete 

9.7.1. Carbohydrates 
9.7.2. Proteins 

9.8. Changes Associated with Aging 

9.8.1. % Body Fat 
9.8.2. Muscle Mass 

9.9. Main Problems in the Older Athlete 

9.9.1. Joints 
9.9.2. Cardiovascular Health 

9.10. Interesting Supplements for Older Athletes 

9.10.1. Whey Protein 
9.10.2. Creatine 

Module 10. The Injury Period 

10.1. Introduction 
10.2. Prevention of Injuries in Athletes 

10.2.1. Relative Energy Availability in Sport 
10.2.2. Oral Health and Injury Implications 
10.2.3. Fatigue, Nutrition and Injuries 
10.2.4. Sleep, Nutrition and Injuries 

10.3. Phases of Injury 

10.3.1. Immobilization Phase. Inflammation and Changes Occurring during this Phase 
10.3.2. Return of Activity Phase 

10.4. Energy Intake during the Period of Injury 
10.5. Macronutrient Intake during the Period of Injury 

10.5.1. Carbohydrate Intake 
10.5.2. Fat Intake 
10.5.3. Protein Intake 

10.6. Intake of Micronutrients of Special Interest during Injury 
10.7. Sports Supplements with Evidence during the Period of Injury 

10.7.1. Creatine 
10.7.2. Omega 3 
10.7.3. Others

10.8. Tendon and Ligament Injuries 

10.8.1. Introduction to Tendon and Ligament Injuries. Tendon Structure 
10.8.2. Collagen, Gelatin and Vitamin C. Can they Help? 
10.8.3. Other Nutrients Involved in Collagen Synthesis 

10.9. The Return to Competition 

10.9.1. Nutritional Considerations in the Return to Competition 

10.10. Interesting Case Studies in Scientific Injury Literature

The teaching materials of this program, elaborated by these specialists, have contents that are completely applicable to your professional experiences"