FSHP Academy
Sports Nutrition — all lessons

Module 1: Foundations of Sports Nutrition

Energy systems and metabolism for nutritionMacronutrients and athletic performanceMicronutrients and hydration essentials

Module 2: Nutrition for Training & Competition

Pre-, intra- and post-workout nutrition strategiesFuelling for endurance vs strength/power sportsCompetition-day meal planning

Module 3: Body Composition & Weight Management

Balancing muscle gain and fat lossSafe weight-cutting practices for athletesNutrition for injury prevention and recoveryEnergy availability and RED-S

Module 4: Supplements & Ergogenic Aids

Evidence-based supplements (creatine, caffeine and others)Avoiding banned substances and doping risks

Module 5: Practical Applications

Creating individualised nutrition plansSports nutrition case studies

Avoiding banned substances and doping risks

Strict liability, the WADA Prohibited List, supplement contamination, therapeutic use exemptions and practical steps athletes and coaches take to stay clean.

Intermediate Evidence: Established consensus 3 min read Reviewed 2026-10-31 Status: draft

Learning objectives

  • Explain strict liability and its implications
  • Use the Prohibited List and national resources
  • Reduce supplement contamination risk
  • Understand therapeutic use exemptions and whereabouts

Before this lesson

Why this matters

Athletes in tested sport can be banned for substances they never knowingly took. Coaches and trainers have a responsibility to educate and protect them.

Strict liability

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance found in their samples, whether or not they intended to cheat. The Prohibited List is updated at least annually [wada]. In India, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA India) implements the Code.

Supplement contamination

In an international study of 634 non-hormonal supplements, about 15% contained undeclared anabolic-androgenic steroids [geyer2004]. Contamination can occur through shared manufacturing equipment or deliberate adulteration. The IOC consensus advises caution and third-party testing [maughan2018].

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Case study

A national-level sprinter considers a “natural testosterone booster”. Her coach checks: no third-party certification and ingredients with contamination risk. She declines it and focuses on sleep, protein and training — avoiding a potential violation.

Further learning: video lessons

Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.

Introductory needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Strict liability explained

WADA (search)

You will understand: athlete responsibilities

Why: Official source.
Technical needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Supplement contamination

anti-doping educators (search)

You will understand: how contamination occurs

Why: Risk education.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check · 0/5

1. Strict liability means…

Answer B. Intent does not need to be proven for a violation.

2. In Geyer et al. (2004), about what proportion of tested non-hormonal supplements contained undeclared anabolic steroids?

Answer B. 94 of 634 products (14.8%) tested positive.

3. The WADA Prohibited List is updated…

Answer B. Check the current version.

4. An athlete with asthma who needs a prohibited medication should…

Answer B. TUEs allow legitimate medical use.

5. The best way to reduce supplement risk is…

Answer B. Certification reduces but does not eliminate risk.

Short-answer & application questions

  1. Check a cold medicine against the current Prohibited List.
  2. Write guidance for a youth team on supplements and anti-doping.
  3. Explain the TUE process to an athlete.

Key takeaways

  • Under strict liability, athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample, regardless of intent.
  • Supplements can be contaminated; studies have found undeclared steroids in a notable share of products.
  • Use third-party certified products and check medications against the current Prohibited List.
  • Athletes needing prohibited medications must obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

Connected topics

physiology

Blood components and oxygen transport

personal training

Legal guidelines and business considerations

This is the canonical lesson for: Lifestyle Nutrition → Supplements & Practical Applications

References

  1. World Anti-Doping Agency (2026). The Prohibited List (updated annually). WADA. · Link Guideline check pending
  2. Geyer H, Parr MK, Mareck U, et al. (2004). Analysis of non-hormonal nutritional supplements for anabolic-androgenic steroids — results of an international study. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 25(2):124–129. Cohort check pending
  3. Maughan RJ, Burke LM, Dvorak J, et al. (2018). IOC consensus statement: dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(7):439–455. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-099027 Guideline check pending

Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.