Sports Nutrition and Health MCQs 2026

Macronutrients required in large amounts by athletes are

1. A carbohydrates, proteins and fats ✓
2. B only vitamins and minerals ✓
3. C only water and fibre alone ✓
4. D only caffeine and creatine ✓

Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for

1. A only bone formation exclusively ✓
2. B only vitamin D synthesis ✓
3. C only joint lubrication alone ✓
4. D moderate to high-intensity exercise and glycogen storage ✓

Proteins in sports nutrition mainly support

1. A only immediate sprint ATP without other fuels ✓
2. B only hydration status alone ✓
3. C only body temperature regulation only ✓
4. D muscle repair, growth and enzyme formation ✓

Dietary fats are important for athletes because they

1. A should be eliminated entirely always ✓
2. B replace all need for carbohydrates ✓
3. C provide concentrated energy and essential fatty acids ✓
4. D prevent all need for water ✓

Glycogen is stored mainly in

1. A only the skin ✓
2. B muscles and the liver ✓
3. C only tooth enamel ✓
4. D only red blood cell nuclei ✓

Carbohydrate loading aims to

1. A deplete all fluids deliberately ✓
2. B maximize glycogen stores before endurance competition ✓
3. C eliminate protein intake entirely ✓
4. D avoid eating for 72 hours ✓

Daily protein needs for strength athletes are generally

1. A zero for all athletes ✓
2. B lower than sedentary people always ✓
3. C met only by vitamin pills ✓
4. D higher than sedentary individuals to support repair ✓

Complete proteins contain

1. A only fibre and water ✓
2. B all essential amino acids in adequate amounts ✓
3. C no nitrogen ✓
4. D only simple sugars ✓

Hydration in sport is critical because

1. A water loss impairs performance, thermoregulation and cognition ✓
2. B sweating improves performance without limit ✓
3. C dehydration never affects heart rate ✓
4. D fluids are needed only after competition ✓

Hypohydration refers to

1. A a state of insufficient body water relative to needs ✓
2. B excess body water only ✓
3. C normal euhydration ✓
4. D high blood sodium from overdrinking only ✓

A practical sign of significant dehydration during exercise is

1. A clear abundant urine mid-session always ✓
2. B lower heart rate always ✓
3. C improved coordination always ✓
4. D dark urine, thirst, dizziness or reduced sweat rate ✓

Sports drinks often contain carbohydrates and electrolytes to

1. A replace energy and sodium lost in sweat during prolonged exercise ✓
2. B replace all protein needs instantly ✓
3. C eliminate need for warm-up ✓
4. D prevent all injuries ✓

Hyponatremia in endurance sport can result from

1. A drinking no fluids at all ✓
2. B eating too much protein only ✓
3. C excessive plain water intake without adequate sodium ✓
4. D stretching before the race only ✓

Pre-exercise meal timing is commonly recommended

1. A 30 seconds before start always ✓
2. B about 2–4 hours before event for digestion and glycogen availability ✓
3. C immediately at finish line ✓
4. D 12 hours after competition only ✓

Pre-exercise nutrition should emphasize

1. A familiar, easily digested carbohydrates with moderate protein and low excess fat ✓
2. B high-fat heavy meals right before start ✓
3. C novel foods never tried before ✓
4. D alcohol for relaxation ✓

During exercise nutrition is most beneficial when

1. A walking 5 minutes once a week ✓
2. B sleeping 8 hours ✓
3. C activity exceeds about 60–90 minutes at moderate to high intensity ✓
4. D static stretching only ✓

Post-exercise nutrition priorities include

1. A avoiding all food for 24 hours ✓
2. B carbohydrates to refill glycogen and protein to support repair ✓
3. C alcohol immediately ✓
4. D only salt without fluids ✓

The post-exercise recovery window often emphasizes feeding within

1. A one week later only ✓
2. B roughly 30 minutes to 2 hours after hard training ✓
3. C before warm-up only ✓
4. D never after team sports ✓

BMI is calculated as

1. A height divided by weight ✓
2. B waist divided by hip only ✓
3. C age multiplied by weight ✓
4. D weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared ✓

BMI is best described as

1. A a precise measure of muscle quality ✓
2. B a test of VO2 max ✓
3. C a population screening index, not a direct measure of body fat or fitness ✓
4. D a diagnosis of sport talent ✓

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally classified as

1. A normal weight for adults ✓
2. B underweight always ✓
3. C obese class II ✓
4. D severely malnourished only ✓

Athletes with high muscle mass may have

1. A always low BMI ✓
2. B elevated BMI despite low body fat ✓
3. C BMI unrelated to mass ✓
4. D no need for body composition assessment ✓

Iron deficiency in female endurance athletes may cause

1. A improved VO2 max automatically ✓
2. B excess hemoglobin always ✓
3. C no effect on performance ✓
4. D fatigue, reduced endurance and impaired oxygen transport ✓

Calcium and vitamin D are important for athletes for

1. A replacing all carbohydrates ✓
2. B preventing all muscle strains instantly ✓
3. C bone health and muscle function ✓
4. D eliminating hydration needs ✓

Energy balance means

1. A protein equals fat always ✓
2. B calories consumed roughly match calories expended over time ✓
3. C water equals sodium always ✓
4. D carbs are never stored ✓

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) involves

1. A insufficient energy availability harming health and performance ✓
2. B unlimited calorie intake always ✓
3. C only dehydration ✓
4. D only external burns ✓

Fibre in an athlete's diet supports

1. A digestive health and satiety ✓
2. B immediate ATP for sprinting alone ✓
3. C replacement of electrolytes in sweat ✓
4. D muscle contractile protein synthesis directly ✓

Antioxidant-rich foods in moderation support

1. A guaranteed record-breaking performance ✓
2. B replacement of training ✓
3. C overall health; megadoses are not proven to boost performance ✓
4. D elimination of all muscle damage ✓

Caffeine as an ergogenic aid may

1. A replace sleep indefinitely ✓
2. B cure dehydration ✓
3. C reduce perceived effort and enhance endurance at moderate doses ✓
4. D prevent all cramps without training ✓

Creatine supplementation is most associated with benefits in

1. A ultramarathon only without carbs ✓
2. B short, high-intensity repeated efforts like sprints and lifts ✓
3. C pure flexibility gains only ✓
4. D injury first aid ✓

WADA prohibits certain supplements when they contain

1. A all vitamins unconditionally ✓
2. B banned substances or cause positive doping tests ✓
3. C all water intake ✓
4. D all carbohydrates ✓

A food-first approach in sports nutrition means

1. A meeting needs primarily through whole foods before relying on supplements ✓
2. B ignoring diet and using pills only ✓
3. C avoiding all fluids ✓
4. D eating only processed snacks ✓

Periodized nutrition aligns intake with

1. A training cycles, competition and recovery phases ✓
2. B random eating without plan ✓
3. C only off-season fasting always ✓
4. D no relation to workload ✓

Vegetarian athletes should pay attention to

1. A eliminating all protein ✓
2. B avoiding all grains ✓
3. C protein quality, iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and omega-3 sources ✓
4. D never eating legumes ✓

Pre-event caffeine timing is often

1. A immediately after cooldown only ✓
2. B one week before ✓
3. C during sleep only ✓
4. D about 60 minutes before exercise for peak blood levels ✓

Sodium is the main electrolyte lost in

1. A sweat during prolonged exercise ✓
2. B bone fractures ✓
3. C static stretching ✓
4. D meditation ✓

Overweight in sport health screening uses BMI alongside

1. A waist measure, body composition and clinical context ✓
2. B shoe size only ✓
3. C hair colour only ✓
4. D dominant hand only ✓

Under-fuelling before competition commonly leads to

1. A unlimited endurance always ✓
2. B early fatigue, poor concentration and reduced power ✓
3. C improved glycogen without eating ✓
4. D lower core temperature always ✓

Omega-3 fatty acids may support athletes through

1. A instant muscle hypertrophy without training ✓
2. B complete hydration replacement ✓
3. C anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits ✓
4. D fracture reduction without calcium ✓

Meal planning for travelling athletes should consider

1. A ignoring local cuisine entirely always ✓
2. B alcohol with every meal ✓
3. C food safety, availability, jet lag and competition schedule ✓
4. D skipping breakfast always on race day ✓

Glycemic index indicates

1. A protein digestibility only ✓
2. B how quickly a carbohydrate food raises blood glucose ✓
3. C fat saturation only ✓
4. D vitamin C content only ✓

Low-GI carbs before endurance may help

1. A cause immediate cramping always ✓
2. B sustain energy with steadier glucose release ✓
3. C replace electrolytes in sweat ✓
4. D eliminate need for warm-up ✓

Eating disorder risk in sport warrants

1. A ignoring weight comments ✓
2. B forced public weigh-ins without support ✓
3. C screening, education and referral to qualified professionals ✓
4. D punishing food choices ✓

Vitamin D deficiency can affect athletes through

1. A improved calcium excretion always ✓
2. B unlimited sun without risk always ✓
3. C no relation to immunity ✓
4. D impaired bone health and muscle function ✓

Protein distribution across the day may benefit recovery by

1. A one single weekly meal only ✓
2. B avoiding protein after training ✓
3. C eating protein only at midnight ✓
4. D providing repeated amino acid availability for synthesis ✓

Sports nutrition for youth athletes emphasizes

1. A adequate energy, calcium, iron and growth-appropriate training load ✓
2. B adult-only supplement stacks always ✓
3. C severe restrictive dieting ✓
4. D maximal caffeine use ✓

Alcohol after competition impairs

1. A glycogen storage positively always ✓
2. B protein synthesis enhancement ✓
3. C injury healing acceleration ✓
4. D recovery, hydration and sleep quality ✓

A registered sports dietitian helps athletes by

1. A prescribing banned drugs ✓
2. B replacing coaches entirely ✓
3. C individualizing fuel, hydration and supplement plans safely ✓
4. D diagnosing fractures alone ✓

Monitoring weight daily in sport should be done

1. A as the sole measure of fitness ✓
2. B publicly shaming athletes ✓
3. C without hydration consideration ✓
4. D with context, avoiding unhealthy fixation; track trends not single readings ✓

Electrolyte tablets during long events help when

1. A athlete drinks no fluids at all ✓
2. B activity lasts under five minutes only ✓
3. C all protein needs are already met ✓
4. D heavy sweating causes significant sodium loss over hours ✓