ATC Nutrition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An athlete training twice daily reports persistent fatigue and decreased performance. Which nutritional strategy is MOST important to address first?
- Increase protein intake to 3g/kg/day
- Optimize carbohydrate timing around training sessions (Correct answer)
- Supplement with branched-chain amino acids
- Increase dietary fat intake
Correct answer: Optimize carbohydrate timing around training sessions
Carbohydrate timing around training sessions is the priority for athletes with two-a-day sessions to replenish glycogen and sustain performance.
Question 2: A female cross-country runner has a BMI of 17.5 and reports amenorrhea for 6 months. Which condition is MOST likely present?
- Anemia
- Female Athlete Triad (Correct answer)
- Overtraining syndrome
- Iron deficiency without anemia
Correct answer: Female Athlete Triad
The Female Athlete Triad encompasses low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone density, consistent with the described presentation.
Question 3: Which vitamin is essential for calcium absorption and is commonly deficient in athletes who train primarily indoors?
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Vitamin A
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Vitamin D is synthesized through sun exposure and is critical for calcium absorption; indoor athletes are at high risk for deficiency.
Question 4: An athlete consumes a 500 mL sports drink containing 6% carbohydrate. How many grams of carbohydrate did they consume?
- 6 g
- 12 g
- 30 g (Correct answer)
- 60 g
Correct answer: 30 g
A 6% carbohydrate solution contains 6 g per 100 mL, so 500 mL provides 30 g of carbohydrate.
Question 5: Which type of dietary fat has been shown to reduce inflammation and may benefit athlete recovery?
- Trans fats
- Saturated fats
- Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, found in fish and flaxseed, have anti-inflammatory properties that can aid recovery.
Question 6: A football lineman wants to gain 10 pounds of lean mass in the off-season. What is the recommended daily caloric surplus above maintenance?
- 100–200 kcal
- 250–500 kcal (Correct answer)
- 700–1000 kcal
- 1500+ kcal
Correct answer: 250–500 kcal
A surplus of 250–500 kcal per day supports lean mass gain while minimizing excess fat accumulation.
Question 7: Which electrolyte is the primary driver of thirst and is lost in the highest concentration in sweat?
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Sodium (Correct answer)
- Calcium
Correct answer: Sodium
Sodium is the primary extracellular electrolyte lost in sweat and is the main driver of thirst sensation.
ATC Nutrition 2
An athlete training twice daily reports persistent fatigue and decreased performance.
Which nutritional strategy is MOST important to address first?