NESTA SAQ study guide
NESTA SAQ · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
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 study guide has 9 sections and about 2,592 words.
01Foundations of Sports Nutrition and Macronutrients
This domain tests how well you can translate energy-yielding nutrients into practical intake targets and explain their roles in training adaptation. Expect questions on carbohydrate availability, protein quality and distribution, fat needs, fiber, alcohol, and the difference between absolute and relative intakes.
287 words, about 1 min02Micronutrients, Hydration, and Electrolytes
This domain examines vitamins and minerals that affect performance, plus fluid and sodium balance. Questions often test iron, calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, sweat rate calculation, sodium losses, and hyponatremia risk.
313 words, about 2 min03Energy Systems and Metabolism
This domain tests the ATP-PCr, glycolytic, and oxidative systems, substrate use, oxygen uptake, lactate threshold, and metabolic adaptations to training. You need to link fuel needs to intensity and duration rather than memorizing isolated definitions.
314 words, about 2 min04Nutrition Assessment and Body Composition
This domain covers dietary assessment methods, anthropometry, body composition techniques, and interpretation. The exam tests reliability, validity, and appropriate use of BMI, skinfolds, bioelectrical impedance, and DXA.
297 words, about 1 min05Nutritional Strategies for Training and Performance
This domain tests periodized nutrition: pre-, during-, and post-exercise fueling, carbohydrate loading, gut training, and recovery. The key is to match intake to the session’s demands and the athlete’s tolerance.
291 words, about 1 min06Supplementation and Ergogenic Aids
This domain tests evidence-based supplement use, dosing, timing, contamination risk, and contraindications. You need to separate strong evidence from hype and apply the athlete’s sport rules and health status.
269 words, about 1 min07Weight Management and Body Composition Goals
This domain covers energy balance, safe rates of weight loss, lean mass retention, and body composition goals. The exam emphasizes sustainable deficits and the risks of rapid weight cutting.
276 words, about 1 min08Special Populations and Clinical Considerations
This domain tests adaptations for adolescents, older adults, pregnancy, diabetes, eating disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions. The exam expects you to recognize when standard sports nutrition advice must be modified or referred.
279 words, about 1 min09Professional Practice, Ethics, and Scope of Practice
This domain tests professional boundaries, informed consent, confidentiality, referral, and evidence-based practice. The exam expects you to know what a sports nutrition professional can and cannot do.
266 words, about 1 min