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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Nutrition & hydration

How often Nutrition & hydration comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

OL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Nutrition & hydration, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Nutrition & hydration.

(a)Main fuel for high-intensity exercise, stored in muscle as glycogen?
  1. Protein
  2. Carbohydrate
  3. Fat
(b)Main role of protein in an athlete's diet?
  1. Keeping the body hydrated
  2. Main energy source in a sprint
  3. Growth and repair of muscle tissue
(c)Why is a pre-match meal eaten about three hours before play?
  1. Time to digest and top up glycogen
  2. Protein takes that long to become ATP
  3. To feel full during the game
Show the answers

(a) Carbohydrate

(b) Growth and repair of muscle tissue

(c) Time to digest and top up glycogen

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Nutrition & hydration.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q16
2023Q17
2022Q16
2021Q15

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Nutrition & hydration questions

Nutrition & hydration, 2 marks

Vitamins and minerals are needed in the diet mainly to?

  1. Act as the body's main energy source
  2. Build muscle mass directly on their own
  3. Regulate body processes such as energy release
Show the answer

Regulate body processes such as energy release

Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts to control body processes: releasing energy, carrying oxygen (iron) and keeping bones strong (calcium).

Ordinary Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1, Q14
2024Q18
2023Q16
2022Q18
2021Q9, Q15

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Nutrition & hydration questions

Nutrition & hydration, 2 marks

The main energy source for high-intensity exercise is…

  1. Protein
  2. Fibre
  3. Carbohydrate
Show the answer

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrate is broken down quickly to give energy, so it fuels hard exercise. Fat also gives energy but more slowly, mainly at low intensity.

Nutrition & hydration, 2 marks

The main role of protein in sport is…

  1. Keeping the body cool
  2. Growth and repair of muscle
  3. Main fuel for sprinting
Show the answer

Growth and repair of muscle

Training causes small damage to muscles. Protein from foods like meat, fish, eggs, dairy and beans supplies the building blocks to repair and strengthen them.

Nutrition & hydration, 3 marks

Why eat a carbohydrate meal about 2 to 3 hours before a match?

  1. To top up glycogen stores
  2. To build new muscle during the game
  3. To reduce the need to drink
Show the answer

To top up glycogen stores

Pasta, rice or potatoes top up energy stores. Leaving 2 to 3 hours lets the food digest, so the player is not playing on a full stomach.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education