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SSE 240: Creatine Supplementation: New Insights and Perspectives on Bone and Brain Health

Creatine is a well-established dietary supplement which enhances resistance training adaptations across the lifespan, including muscle mass and performance. Beyond muscle, creatine has been shown to have favorable effects on measures of bone biology in older adults and disease state populations and measures of brain health and function across a variety of populations, including young adults who experienced traumatic brain injury. This review will outline recent advances and perspectives on how creatine supplementation functions to improve indices of bone and brain health across a variety of populations. 

Reference Article

SSE 240: Creatine Supplementation: New Insights and Perspectives on Bone and Brain Health

Course Objectives

  • Outline a general overview of how creatine supplementation enhances muscle mass and performance. 
  • Describe the mechanisms and highlight recent research examining creatine’s effects when combined with resistance training on bone tissue. 
  • Discuss recent research evaluating the effects of creatine supplementation on brain function and highlight the benefits when the brain is stressed (i.e., mental fatigue, sleep deprivation, aging, and hypoxia).  
  • Identify which neuromuscular diseases have been shown to benefit from creatine supplementation. 

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

12/19/2026

BOC

1

12/19/2026

CSCCa

1

12/19/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/sse_240_001.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 238: Micronutrient Considerations for Female Athletes

Vitamins and minerals are essential for numerous metabolic processes in the body, such as immune functioning, haematological adaption, energy metabolism and growth and repair. Athletes often have higher micronutrient requirements than the general population due to the increased utilisation and/or losses of micronutrients associated with exercise and training adaptation. Females can be at greater risk of micronutrient deficiencies and vitamin and/or mineral supplements can have a useful role in helping an athlete meet daily micronutrient needs. Iron, calcium, vitamin D and folate are identified as micronutrients which require greater attention for female athletes.

Reference Article

SSE 238: Micronutrient Considerations for Female Athletes

Course Objectives

  • Articulate key anthropometric and physiological differences between males and females. 
  • Discuss some of the reasons female athletes are at increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies, and the overarching nutritional factors that should be addressed.  
  • Define key vitamins and minerals which female athletes should pay specific attention to and their recommended dietary intakes.

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

11/21/2026

BOC

1

11/21/2026

CSCCa

1

11/21/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/sse_238_003.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 237: Hydration in Physically Active Women

A significant amount of research has been conducted to understand body water regulation and the effects of hypohydration on thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and performance during exercise in heat. However, women have been underrepresented in hydration research, accounting for less than ~30% of subjects tested in recent studies. Women have lower whole body sweating rate (WBSR) and sweat sodium concentrations as a population than men, but in most environments these differences are attributed to lower absolute workloads. Dr Lindsay Baker reviews the state of the literature, the impact of the menstrual cycle on hydration and how hypohydration (≥ 2% body mass loss) can adversely affect athletic performance in women.

Reference Article

SSE 237: Hydration in Physically Active Women

Course Objectives

  • Identify differences in sweating rate and composition between men and women 
  • Describe the impact of different phases in the menstrual cycle on thirst and fluid retention 
  • Define the physiological responses to dehydration during exercise in women

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

BOC

1

11/21/2026

CSCCa

1

11/21/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/sse_237_004.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 233: A Practitioner's Guide to Improving Sleep in Athletes

Athletes are at a higher risk for sleep problems due to lifestyle and sports-related factors, and frequently suffer from sleep-related complaints. There are sleep strategies for practitioners and coaches to emphasize that can help improve athletes’ sleep and performance. Drs Lambing and Bender review the importance of recurring sleep education and screening for sleep disorders and how the practitioner can support the athletes and promote good quality and quantity of sleep.

Reference Article

SSE 233: A Practitioner's Guide to Improving Sleep in Athletes

Course Objectives

  • Describe the importance of sleep screening and the best timing to perform a sleep screening 
  • Define the negative impact a poor night of sleep can have on mental and physical performance  
  • Identify strategies to promote good sleep hygiene 

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

11/21/2026

BOC

1

11/21/2026

CSCCa

1

11/21/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/gssi_sse_233_final.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Methods to Keep the Female Athlete Healthy: From Mental to Physical Health

While there is a disparity in sports performance research on female athletes, several experts in the field are making progress in furthering the understanding of the unique characteristics and needs of this population. From physiological and nutritional needs, to mental health and performance considerations, hear Dr Wendy Borlabi, Dr Trent Stellingwerff, Dr Abbie Smith-Ryan and Dr Sara Oikawa cover methods to keep the female athlete healthy. 

Reference Article

Methods to Keep the Female Athlete Healthy: From Mental to Physical Health

Course Objectives

  • Discuss how low energy availability (LEA) “exposure” does not always lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) and elements of the practical application of LEA to optimize health and performance.
  • Understand the initial data and known physiological differences that support evidence-based application for ingredients used by female athletes and discuss the possible implications.
  • Describe sex differences in skeletal muscle morphology and protein metabolism and identify gaps in the scientific literature related to female athlete specific protein research. 

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

2.25

07/29/2025

BOC

2.25

07/29/2025

CSCCa

2.25

07/29/2025

Reference Article

http://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/educational-materials/webinar-handouts/acsm-2022-pre-con-handouts---all-files.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 215: Practical Approaches to Nutrition for Female Athletes

The majority of published sport nutrition recommendations are based on studies conducted with male athletes. In female athletes, the menstrual cycle may affect optimal nutrition strategies for performance, but menstrual cycles can be quite variable. Authors Bryan Holtzman and Kate Ackerman review the nutritional recommendations for female athletes from a variety of perspectives. Within the review, the energetic requirements for athletes and the negative effects of failing to meet these requirements are discussed. The authors also establish a model for meeting nutritional needs of increasing complexity and personalization for female athletes and provide baseline recommendations for female athletes. This course aims to provide practical advice for athletes, coaches, physicians, and other members of the athlete entourage.

Reference Article

SSE 215: Practical Approaches to Nutrition for Female Athletes

Course Objectives

  • Define energy availability and the impact of failing to meet energy needs in female athletes 
  • Describe unique physiological considerations for female athletes related to the menstrual cycle. 
  • Identify micronutrients of particular interest for female athletes and baseline recommendations for intake.

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

05/26/2025

BOC

1

05/26/2025

CSCCa

1

05/26/2025

Reference Article

http://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/final-gssi_sse_215.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Health and Performance Considerations for Female Soccer Players

Female soccer players face a variety of physical demands related to their sport but also must manage health factors unique to females. Through a strong nutrition plan, the female soccer player can fuel appopiately, managing energy availability and supporting athletic performance while maintaining physical health in the short and long term. Dr. Rebecca Randell will discuss the demands placed on the female soccer player, how menstruation and energy availability impact health and performance as well as recommendations to help the athlete and recover throughout the season.

Reference Article

Health and Performance Considerations for Female Soccer Players

Course Objectives

  • Discuss health considerations for female soccer players
  • Utilize nutritional recommendations and customize for female soccer players
  • Describe the knowledge gaps in the existing literature

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

.75

02/09/2025

BOC

.75

02/09/2025

CSCCa

.75

02/09/2025

Reference Article

http://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/educational-materials/webinar-handouts/health-and-performance-considerations-for-female-soccer-players.pdf?sfvrsn=4

SSE #213: Cannabidiol (CBD) and the athlete: claims, evidence, prevalence and safety concerns

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant and is no longer prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency; however, all other cannabinoids remain on the prohibited list. The legal status of CBD is complicated and varies from country to country. Athletes and coaches must be aware of the country (and state) specific legal status of CBD. Dr. Graeme Close and colleagues discuss the benefits of CBD that have been reported both anecdotally and within the literature as well as the risks with CBD use on health, safety and potential for inadvertent doping via the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other cannabinoids in CBD supplements. 

Reference Article

SSE #213: Cannabidiol (CBD) and the athlete: claims, evidence, prevalence and safety concerns

Course Objectives

  • Describe an overview of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) 

  • Appraise the current evidence and efficacy in relation to CBD use in sport 

  • Discuss the issues and risks surrounding inadvertent doping following the use of CBD

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

01/26/2025

BOC

1

01/26/2025

CSCCa

1

01/26/2025

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/en/sports-science-exchange/Article/cannabidiol-(cbd)-and-the-athlete-claims-evidence-prevalence-and-safety-concerns