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Its two years since I began my National Diploma in Food Nutrition & Health at Loughry Campus. This course “does exactly what it says on the tin” – and is giving us a good overview of the three subject areas. We recently completed a practical class on energy expenditure, measuring and comparing the amount of energy used across a range of activities. Measuring how much energy we burn was easy. There were plenty of volunteers who were only too delighted to relax in class for a few minutes! The first measurement was taken when resting and my breath was collected in a Douglas air bag (basically a big plastic bag). We measured the amount of oxygen in the expired air and the total volume of air in the bag. Calculation time - we worked out the amount of calories I expended in one minute when at rest. Then the hard work began! The experiment was repeated with each volunteer standing then followed by a spell of activity on the exercise bike. The amount of oxygen expelled decreased and the calories used increased as the level of physical exertion increased. This concept is often explained in our Sports Nutrition class but this practical class demonstrated how our body uses more energy when we exercise. That’s what I enjoy most about the course at Loughry – a good balance between classes and practical work – all relevant, interesting and enjoyable!
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