NESTA SAQ case studies
NESTA SAQ · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The NESTA Sports Nutrition certification is a professional credential for fitness professionals, coaches, personal trainers, and allied health practitioners who want to give clients evidence-informed nutrition guidance within their legal scope of practice. It signals that the holder understands macronutrient needs, energy metabolism, hydration, assessment methods, performance fueling, and the boundaries between nutrition coaching and clinical dietetics. The NESTA SAQ case studies are 5 cases and about 2,354 words.
1Marathoner With Weight Gain and Confusion in Heat
A 42-year-old recreational marathoner (68.0 kg, 178 cm) is preparing for a summer race expected to take 4 hours in 28°C and 75% humidity. In a 4-hour simulation he drank 750 mL of plain water per hour and ate two gels.
505 words, about 3 min2Female Cyclist With Low Energy Availability and Amenorrhea
A 24-year-old female road cyclist (58 kg, 170 cm, fat-free mass 46 kg) trains 18 hours per week and wants to lose 3 kg before a climbing camp. Her 24-hour recall shows about 1,800 kcal/day and 850 kcal/day of training energy expenditure.
483 words, about 2 min3Football Player Offered SARMs and a Test Booster
A 19-year-old college American football player (105 kg, 188 cm) wants to gain 5 kg in the offseason. He eats about 3,200 kcal/day and 140 g protein.
487 words, about 2 min4Powerlifter Using a Flawed Body Composition Test to Make Weight
A 30-year-old recreational powerlifter (82 kg, 175 cm) wants to compete in the 74 kg class in 8 weeks. A gym bioelectrical impedance analysis after training and a meal reads 12% body fat.
454 words, about 2 min5Basketball Player on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet in Preseason
A 21-year-old basketball player (80 kg, 193 cm) is in preseason with two training sessions on most days, totaling about 3 hours of court work plus lifting. He is otherwise healthy, with no history of diabetes or gastrointestinal disease.
425 words, about 2 min