CDN Sports Nutrition & Performance 5

Question 1

A competitive swimmer undergoes a skin-fold assessment showing 8% body fat. She wants to lower it to 5%. What is the most appropriate dietitian response?

Accepted Answer

Advise that 5% body fat may impair hormonal function and performance in females

Answer

For female athletes, body fat below approximately 12–14% can disrupt estrogen levels, menstrual function, and bone density; advising pursuit of 5% body fat is clinically inappropriate.

Question 2

A basketball player reports persistent fatigue and decreased performance. Lab results show serum ferritin of 10 ng/mL with normal hemoglobin. What condition does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Non-anemic iron deficiency (Stage II iron deficiency)

Answer

Low ferritin with normal hemoglobin represents Stage II (non-anemic) iron deficiency, which can impair aerobic performance through reduced iron availability for enzymatic processes before anemia develops.

Question 3

Which pre-competition meal timing and composition is most evidence-based for optimizing glycogen stores without causing GI distress?

Accepted Answer

High-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-fiber meal 3–4 hours before

Answer

A carbohydrate-rich, low-fat, low-fiber meal consumed 3–4 hours before competition maximizes glycogen availability while allowing adequate gastric emptying to minimize GI distress.

Question 4

An athlete on a plant-based diet has concerns about protein quality. Which combination of plant foods provides all essential amino acids comparable to a complete protein?

Accepted Answer

Rice + beans (legumes)

Answer

Rice and beans together provide complementary amino acid profiles that together contain all essential amino acids, making this combination nutritionally complete — though complementarity need not occur at every meal.

Question 5

Which statement about heat acclimatization and its nutritional implications is correct?

Accepted Answer

Acclimatization increases plasma volume and reduces electrolyte concentration in sweat

Answer

Heat acclimatization expands plasma volume (improving thermoregulation) and produces more dilute sweat with lower sodium concentration, though total sweat volume typically increases.

(CDN) Certified Dietician Nutritionist Practice Test

(CDN) Certified Dietician Nutritionist Practice Test

CDN Sports Nutrition & Performance 5