Question 1

How does long-term intense training impact immune cell levels?

Accepted Answer

Levels of immune cells, namely B cells, T cells, and IgA, decline in athletes engaging in long periods of intensified training, thus potentially increasing susceptibility to acute infection.

Question 2

Approximately how long is the open window of impaired immunity found in elite athletes in which immune cells are suppressed in response to strenuous workouts?

Accepted Answer

Elite athletes experience an open window of impaired immunity that lasts between 3 and 72 hours. It is the period of time following a strenuous workout (such as a marathon, ultramarathon, or very heavy training) in which susceptibility to illness is highest due to a suppression of immune cells.

Question 3

Which of the following best summarizes the current research related to using creatine supplementation to reduce the muscle atrophy associated with immobilization?

Accepted Answer

This is an area of interesting research without conclusive findings to be applied in practice.

Question 4

Which of the following foods should be minimized in the diet of an athlete managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Accepted Answer

Typically, smoking, alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits, and fatty foods exacerbate GERD.

Question 5

Why is it difficult to provide nutrition counseling to a patient diagnosed with Crohn's disease?

Accepted Answer

Similar to celiac disease, some exposure causes the body's immune system to attack the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The difference is that with Crohn's disease, the trigger is unknown.

Question 6

When are fatty streaks, the earliest stages of atherosclerosis, evident?

Accepted Answer

Fatty streaks are oxidized cholesterol and lipid particles that accumulate deep in the arterial wall. They reveal the earliest stages of atherosclerosis. Most Americans develop fatty streaks by their teenage years.

Question 7

Which eating plan was designed to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients?

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have shown that the DASH eating plan combined with decreased salt intake can substantially reduce blood pressure levels and potentially make blood pressure medications unnecessary. The DASH eating plan, although developed to reduce blood pressure, is an overall healthy eating plan that can be adopted by anyone regardless of whether he or she has elevated blood pressure.

Question 8

Which type of diabetes is not preventable and is associated with the inability of the pancreas to secrete insulin, making it outside the scope of the allied health professional's nutrition counseling practices?

Accepted Answer

Type 1 diabetes results from the inability of the pancreas to secrete insulin, the hormone that allows the cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream. The specific nutritional management of type 1 diabetes-in particular, the titration of carbohydrate intake and insulin dosing-is beyond the scope of the allied health professional.

Question 9

Which of the following recommendations will help a diabetic athlete maintain a stable blood sugar level throughout the day?

Accepted Answer

It is especially important for people with diabetes to maintain a relatively stable blood sugar level throughout the day. To do this, clients should (1) balance nutrition intake with exercise and insulin or other medications and (2) consume five to six equally sized small meals per day.

Question 10

What bone density finding signals osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis is diagnosed by a physician when bone density is greater than 2.5 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender.

Question 11

Which of the following athletes would be at greatest risk for osteoporosis and possible fracture?

Accepted Answer

Eating disorders, smoking, and depression contribute to bone weakening and increased risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, lighter-weight people tend to be at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Question 12

Which of the following are signs of overtraining? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Signs of overtraining include irritability and lack of concentration, fatigue, increased and poorly healing injuries, frequent upper respiratory illnesses, difficulty sleeping, poor appetite, increased resting heart rate, and menstrual irregularities in women.

Question 13

Which of the following strategies might help an athlete who is managing chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Treatment of GERD includes avoiding certain foods, using over-the-counter antacids, eating smaller meals, sitting upright for 2 to 3 hours after a meal, and engaging in exercise if weight loss is needed.

Question 14

Consumption of which of the following foods may decrease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

High-fiber foods, such as broccoli, apples, and whole-grain breads, can make IBS better by softening the stool and relieving constipation. Research suggests (but has not proven) that probiotics-live microbial organisms in some foodstuffs such as yogurt-may help with IBS.

Question 15

Which of the following dietary considerations should be incorporated into the diet of a patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially during periods of remission? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Encouraging a high-calorie diet with a particular emphasis on calcium (dairy products), vitamin D (fortified dairy products), folate (dark leafy greens, fortified grains, strawberries), vitamin B₁₂ (lean beef and other meat products), and zinc (seafood, spinach) intake are important to nutritional management for people with IBD.

Question 16

Which of the following are characteristics of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The DASH eating plan is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat.

Question 17

Which of the following is one of the seven components of "ideal cardiovascular health" as outlined by the American Heart Association?

Accepted Answer

The seven components of optimal heart health include never being told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that one has high blood pressure; a BMI of less than 25 kg/m²; never being told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that one has high cholesterol; not smoking, or smoking fewer than 100 cigarettes in a lifetime but not currently smoking; never being told by a doctor that one has diabetes; performing more than 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity or more than 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week; and consuming five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Question 18

In addition to adequate calcium and vitamin D consumption, what other vitamins should be incorporated into the diet to reduce the risk of fracture? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Clients should be sure to get enough vitamin K and vitamin C because they may help decrease fracture risk.

Question 19

Active individuals involved in moderate-intensity exercise do not benefit from nutritional supplementation to reduce susceptibility to illness.

Accepted Answer

Moderate-intensity exercise is associated with enhanced immune function. A well-balanced and varied diet is sufficient to promote optimal immune function.

Question 20

It is well within the scope of practice of an allied health professional to provide medical nutrition therapy to athletes managing a chronic medical condition like irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease.

Accepted Answer

Although allied health professionals should be aware of general nutrition recommendations for the treatment and prevention of the most common illnesses, it is clearly outside of their scope of practice to provide nutrition advice or recommendations on how to use nutrition to manage these conditions. This is known as medical nutrition therapy and is the domain of the registered dietitian.

Quiz 14: Nutrition for Athletes With Illness or Injury