ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

What approach can help Andy maintain his running performance while avoiding unintended weight loss?

1. Suggest that Andy increase his daily caloric intake to match his increased energy needs

2. Instruct Andy to cut back his running mileage until his weight stabilizes

3. Recommend Andy incorporate strength-training to build muscle

4. Instruct Andy that weight loss will improve his running time

The correct answer is: Suggest that Andy increase his daily caloric intake to match his increased energy needs

Increasing Andy's daily caloric intake to match his increased energy needs is essential for maintaining his running performance while avoiding unintended weight loss. When a person engages in regular running or any form of intense physical activity, their body requires more energy to fuel their workouts and support recovery. If Andy is not consuming enough calories to meet these demands, he may experience weight loss, which could negatively impact his performance and overall health. By ensuring that his caloric intake is adjusted to align with his energy expenditure, Andy can sustain his energy levels, support muscle recovery, and promote optimal performance in his running routine. This approach emphasizes the importance of nutrition in endurance sports, where athlete energy requirements are often higher due to the volume and intensity of training. In this context, other strategies such as cutting back running mileage, incorporating strength training, or assuming that weight loss will enhance performance could be counterproductive or misaligned with his goals. Reducing running could hinder his training progress, while strength training, although beneficial, does not directly address the immediate caloric requirements of his running. Additionally, the assumption that weight loss necessarily improves running times isn’t universally true—optimal performance is often best supported by maintaining a healthy weight aligned with individual body composition and energy needs.