Sports Nutrition Association looks to ensure sharing of best possible dietary advice

Established in Australia five years ago to standardise best practises in nutritional advice in relation to exercise, fitness and sport, Sports Nutrition Association sees itself as “leading the charge” when it comes to nutrition advice for those who are and seek to be active, whether personally or at an elite level.

An educational and governing body that seeks to regulate personal trainers, exercise physiologists, strength coaches, exercise scientists, and clinical nutritionists looking to add sports nutrition and supplementation programming to their insured scope of practice, Sports Nutrition Association (SNA) President and founder Alex Thomas acknowledges that nutrition within in the fitness space has always been complicated topic, advising “while some personal trainers do their due diligence to educate themselves on the best nutrition practises for individuals, it hasn’t really been a regulated space until recently, which has meant that some have happily spruiked unsafe diets and supplements without much trouble.”

Thomas (pictured below) cites the example late last year of a personal trainer from Adelaide who was banned from ‘acting like a dietitian’ due to the potentially unsafe diets he was recommending to people as well as the personal trainer who died last year after taking a concoction of pre-workout powder, noting “and let's not leave out those who will happily take money to promote gummies and skinny teas to their audience.

“While this is far from the case for every trainer, we felt that when it comes to something as important as nutrition, a regulatory body should be in place.

“Poor advice could lead to severe nutritional imbalances if some vitamins and minerals are not included in a balanced diet, a variety of health issues, potentially eating disorders and in the case of dangerous and untested supplements the consequences could be worse. Additionally, the coaches who are going about things the right way become frustrated when they see others doing the wrong thing and tarnishing the industry that is here to help people.

“As clients trust and rely on their trainers, exercise physiologists, coaches etc. we wanted to provide a service where coaches can not only upskill, but also have access to the latest research, best practise and there is also regulation to ensure trainers are upholding a standard in the industry.”

Expanding globally two years ago, the Association exists to create best practise within the industry to try to stamp out the misinformation and dangerous advice.

SNA also educates, accredits, regulate the professions, while also having a publicly available sports nutritionist database where clients can find their best sports nutritionist fit.

Thomas adds “not every coach wants to take up excess time and money to do an in-depth course on nutrition, however, it is logical that a client would ask their coach about food if they are trusting them to help achieve their body goals.

“Through SNA, coaches can do courses on nutrition for fitness professionals for coaches wanting to stay within their PT scope and aid clients, to a Certificate in Applied Sports Nutrition to get provisionally accredited, and if they enjoy studying it, it is a good taster before they invest into a deeper education in becoming openly accredited.

“The database allows clients to trust that their coach is on top of the latest best practises.

In terms of tracking those who are not adhering to their best practise, SNA has a reporting function for the public on the registry as well as a list of association sites for ay non-member related issues.

It also encourages people to contact their relevant state health ombudsman/health care commissioner with whom SNA works with in conjunction at times.

For more information go to www.sportsnutritionassociation.com

Images courtesy of the Sports Nutrition Association.