Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts
What this domain tests
Domain 1 blends basic exercise science, nutrition fundamentals, and behavior-change psychology. The exam expects you to translate evidence into safe coaching decisions, not to diagnose or prescribe. Know how energy balance, macronutrients, sleep, and stress influence adherence, and how psychological models explain why clients act.
Core rules and concepts
- Energy balance drives weight change; a modest deficit of roughly 300–500 kcal/day supports gradual loss, while very large deficits undermine adherence and lean mass.
- Active adults often benefit from protein near 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day, distributed across meals; fiber targets are about 25–38 g/day; hydration needs rise with heat, sweat, and training volume.
- Public health activity guidance: 150–300 minutes/week of moderate aerobic activity or 75–150 minutes vigorous, plus resistance training on 2+ days and regular movement breaks.
- Sleep (7–9 hours for adults) and stress management are behavior-change variables, not extras; short sleep raises appetite and lowers training quality.
- Self-efficacy predicts adherence. Its four sources are mastery experiences, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological/affective states.
- The transtheoretical model describes precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance; interventions should match the stage.
Worked example
A sedentary 90 kg client wants to lose 10 lb. Rather than issuing a meal plan, calculate a protein range: 1.2–1.6 g/kg × 90 = 108–144 g/day, and suggest 30–40 g at three meals. Pair this with a 300–500 kcal/day deficit, a step goal, and a sleep target. The reasoning: the protein target protects lean mass and supports satiety; the modest deficit is sustainable; the behavioral anchors make the plan executable. Nutrition counseling stops at education and referral when clinical conditions appear.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing weight loss with behavior change; prescribing detailed diets outside scope; ignoring sleep, stress, and environment; treating protein as unlimited; and assuming knowledge alone changes behavior.