You are expected to produce a Review of the Literature to identify, explore, int

You are expected to produce a Review of the Literature to identify, explore, interpret, and critically evaluate
the evidence for the use of two strategies (one ergogenic and one nutritional) to cover competition and
training for a sport of your choice. The nutritional strategy may also include dietary manipulation (i.e.
carbohydrate loading) and not necessarily the use of a nutritional supplement (i.e. energy drink). It is likely
that the ergogenic aid will be appropriate for competition whilst the nutritional strategy for training –
however, this is not essential, as long as you cover both competition and training.
To support the Review of the Literature, you are expected to write an Executive Summary. This is typically
written last, but is presented first (before the Review of Literature). This should summarise your review, to
include a brief overview of the strategies under investigation and key findings and recommendations. It is
recommended that you complete your review first, and then to make notes of all the aspects and elements
you consider important before you attempt the Executive Summary.
Preliminary pages (title page, table of contents, list of figures/tables (if appropriate))
2. Executive summary (~500 words)
• A condensed summary of your Review of the Literature that follows, that may include:
o Background information to understand the purpose of the review
o Literature searching methods
o Key findings and recommendations (make sure these are practical and specific)
o Conclusions
3. Narrative Review of the Literature (~3000 words)
• Introduction
o Introduce the sport, considering physiological demands for training and competition
o Introduce very briefly the two strategies that you will be reviewing for this assessment
• Review of Strategy 1 (i.e., for competition)
o Potential mechanisms of action (with an emphasis on the mechanism(s) related to
your sporting situation)
o Critically review evidence of the use of the strategy relevant to the chosen sport
o Critically evaluate the risks versus benefits (e.g., considering any proposed side
effects, concerns with doping / legality, potential impact on performance and health,
gaps in understanding / limitations of literature etc)
• Review of Strategy 2 (i.e., for training)
o Potential mechanisms of action (with an emphasis on the mechanism(s) related to
your sporting situation)
o Critically review evidence of the use of the strategy relevant to the chosen sport
o Critically evaluate the risks versus benefits (e.g., considering any proposed side
effects, concerns with doping / legality, potential impact on performance and health,
gaps in understanding / limitations of literature etc)
• Potential impact on immunity
o Introduce any evidence of impact/challenges with regards to immunity in the chosen
sport
o Consider one of the two strategies reviewed (not both) and evaluate the potential for
this to act as an immunonutrient
• Overall conclusions and future recommendations