Sports Nutritionist
Certifications Necessary to Practice
You can have a Bachelor's Degree for some jobs, but many jobs will need a Master's Degrees. Some states have licensing requirements.
Registered Dietitian with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic
Registration of the American Dietetic Association; Certification/Licensure as required by state of practice. Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) preferred.
Education Requirements
- SCAN indicates that prospective sports nutritionists might consider bachelor's degree programs in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition or a related major
- Students also may have to meet additional science requirements in biology, chemistry or microbiology.
- master's degree programs specific to sports nutrition are available, individuals also might consider exercise physiology or nutrition programs, some of which offer a sports nutrition concentration
- Additional courses might cover topics in exercise physiology, biomechanics and nutritional assessment
The skills necessary to be successful in this profession are.....
- Excellent communication, presentation, and counseling skills.
- Ability to accurately measure height, and body weight.
- Ability to accurately assess body composition (body mass, body fat, and muscle mass).
- Ability to accurately assess and evaluate energy balance.
- Knowledge of eating disorder/disordered eating signs and symptoms.
- Comprehensive knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including interviewing and education techniques.
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
- Excellent time management, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
- Knowledge of complementary medicine, ergogenic aids, and nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements.
- Competence with nutrient analysis, word processing, and presentation software,
- Compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
- Knowledge of rules and regulations of athletic governing bodies: e.g., National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), regarding banned drugs and restricted substances.
- Knowledge of measurements of resting metabolic rate, energy expenditure, VO2max, and lactate threshold.
- Knowledge of food service quality and safety procedures.
Nebraska Football Sports Nutrition
Day in the Life: Dietitian