BTEC International Level 3 Sport

Unit 26: Nutrition for Physical Performance — assessment criteria

Learners explore the importance of nutrition and hydration within a sport context.

Internal60 GLH14 criteria4 learning aims
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Assessment criteria

Reproduced verbatim from the Pearson specification — the same grid the assignment brief carries. A unit grade is the highest band where all criteria in that band (and every band below it) are met.

Pass

7 criteria
A.P1Describe concepts of balanced diet and sources of nutrition from recommended guidelines.
A.P2Describe hydration and its effects on sports performance.
A.P3Describe the structure and function of the digestive system in terms of digestion, absorption and excretion.
B.P4Describe energy intake, expenditure and balance in sports performance.
C.P5Outline legislation, guidance and procedures associated with anti-doping in sport.
D.P6Perform a nutritional assessment for a selected sports performer.
D.P7Plan an appropriate two-week diet and hydration plan for a selected sports performer for a selected sports activity.

Merit

4 criteria
A.M1Explain the relationship between nutrition, hydration and diet and the impact on sports performance.
B.M2Explain energy intake, expenditure and balance in sports performance.
C.M3Explain strategies that an athlete can undertake to ensure that they are fully aware and prepared for anti-doping screening.
D.M4Plan an effective and detailed two-week diet and hydration plan for a selected sports performer for a selected sports activity based on initial nutritional assessment findings.

Distinction

3 criteria
AB.D1Analyse nutritional, energy and hydration needs for a selected sports performer.
C.D2Analyse the methods of anti- doping and discuss the effectiveness of these methods.
D.D3Justify the two- week diet and hydration plan for a selected sports performer for a selected sports activity.

Command verbs in this unit

The verb decides the depth expected — that is what separates Pass from Merit and Distinction work on the same learning aim.

AnalyseDescribeExplainOutlineJustifyPerformPlan
Pearson's ladder runs Identify → Describe → Explain → Compare / Analyse → Evaluate / Justify / Assess. A Merit or Distinction criterion on the same aim always implies the Pass beneath it: an “evaluate” answer that never first “explains” fails, however polished it reads. Hover a verb for what it demands.

Learning aims

  • A. Examine concepts of nutrition, hydration, diet and digestion
  • B. Explore energy intake and expenditure in sports performance
  • C. Investigate legislation, guidance and procedures associated with anti-doping
  • D. Produce a diet and hydration plan to support a selected sport or physical activity

How checkb.tech checks this unit

Upload a learner's submission and checkb.tech reads it against exactly these criteria, reporting each one as met, partly met, or not met — with the evidence that informed the verdict cited, so every call is auditable.

The check runs against the official Pearson documents for this unit, and identical evidence always produces an identical result — the same script gets the same verdict every time.

It never awards a grade. You stay the assessor: confirm, dismiss, or act on every criterion before your assessment decision is final.

Verification & Quality Tools for Unit 26

Free Lead IV and assessor utilities configured for Pearson BTEC International specifications.

More Level 3 Sport units

Criteria and aim text reproduced for teacher reference from the official Pearson qualification documentation (Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Qualifications in Sport). BTEC is a registered trademark of Pearson Education Limited. checkb.tech is an independent tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Pearson. It never awards a grade; the teacher stays the assessor.