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Substantial volumes of fluid can be lost during intense or prolonged exercise as a consequence of thermoregulatory sweating. In these situations, athletes need to drink during and after exercise to replace fluids lost to avoid potential negative effects of dehydration. Fluid replacement is a multi-step process involving a number of physiological systems including fluid intake, fluid delivery to the bloodstream, distribution within the body fluid compartments, and whole-body fluid retention. Adequate fluid replacement is influenced by beverage composition, as certain ingredients can facilitate or hinder one or more steps in the rehydration process. Dr Lindsay Baker reviews the scientific principles of fluid replacement and role of beverage formulation on the rehydration process for athletes.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/12/2027
BOC
1
11/12/2027
Buffering agents including sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine and sodium citrate are routinely used by athletes, and effects of buffering agents on athletes’ performance have been investigated since as early as the 1930s. Extracellular buffering agents, including sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate, can increase the blood’s buffering capacity (pH and [HCO3-]), and intracellular buffering via beta-alanine supplementation can increase muscle carnosine concentration. The recent International Olympic Committee consensus statement on nutritional supplements reported that for sodium bicarbonate and beta-alanine, there is scientific evidence for beneficial effects on athletes’ performance. There is also growing evidence that sodium citrate can be effective in improving performance. There is a high prevalence of the use of supplements and buffering agents within athletic populations and consideration of the use of buffering agents in specific contexts relevant to athletes is therefore warranted. Contexts that have been investigated within the literature to only a limited extent include the use of buffering agents in highly trained female athletes, in extreme environmental conditions (e.g., training and/or competing in hot weather conditions or at altitude) and when using combinations of buffering agents. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the effectiveness of extracellular and intracellular buffering agents can be influenced by modifying factors, such as the dose, timing, duration, and intensity of exercise performed. Additionally, the translation of research findings in buffering agents to highly trained athletes can be influenced by the design factors of research studies (e.g., use of crossover or matched group study design, familiarisation trials, pre-test dietary standardisation, performance tests that were representative of the real-world competitive demands of athletes) and athlete-specific factors (e.g., recruitment of highly-trained athletes as research participants, measures of buffering capacity, and reported improvements in performance tests that replicate real-world competitive events). There is therefore further scope to provide a practical evaluation of the evidence on buffering agents, which may be particularly relevant to performance support practitioners and coaches seeking to implement an evidence-based buffering protocol for their athletes.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/12/2027
BOC
1
11/12/2027
In all sports, skill is used as an umbrella term that includes not only physical performance of a particular skill but also the complex interaction of cognitive and technical ability to respond to the multitude of scenarios that occur in every match. However, when competing in team sports participants experience, to different degrees, physical and mental fatigue that has a negative impact on the performance of sports specific skills. As nutrition counter measure, the ingestion of appropriate quantities of carbohydrate, at appropriate times, has been shown to maintain or benefit aspects of skill performance. The mechanisms underpinning this preservation of skill with carbohydrate feedings involve a complex series of events between brain and skeletal muscle that interact to minimize the impact of physical and mental fatigue. Although these questions are specific to soccer research, many of the principles are directly transferable to other “stop-and-go” team sports.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
12/19/2026
BOC
1
12/19/2026
CSCCa
1
12/19/2026
Bone stress injuries (BSI) are one of the most insidious and challenging outcomes of REDs in female athletes. This is often because it is not until a BSI is diagnosed that the underlying, often prolonged and/or severe LEA, is discovered. BSI are the most common injury in athletes and two-to-four times more common among females than males with prevalence rates as high as 20% depending on sport type. Since BSI are usually preceded by decreases in bone mineral density (BMD), and since any meaningful change (positive or negative) in the structural characteristics of the bone tissue can take months or years to occur, impairments to bone health can be incredibly difficult to prevent, treat and reverse. In this course, Dr Ida Heikura explores the key nutritional challenges and opportunities to support optimal bone health in female athletes, followed by a stepwise action plan to prevent poor bone health.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
12/19/2026
BOC
1
12/19/2026
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.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
12/19/2026
BOC
1
12/19/2026
CSCCa
1
12/19/2026
Iron is an essential micronutrient in the diet. However, athletes commonly present as iron deficient because of numerous mechanisms associated with exercise. An understanding of these mechanisms is important in our strategic approach to repleting and maintaining healthy iron stores. Athletes presenting with an iron deficiency have several options with regard to addressing the problem. These include, an increase in overall nutrient intake from food, the use of oral iron supplements, or in severe cases, consideration of parenteral iron therapy. The approach taken to correct iron stores should be made in consideration of an athlete’s iron screening results, which should be standardized and collected on a routine basis.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
12/19/2026
BOC
1
12/19/2026
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.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/21/2026
BOC
1
11/21/2026
CSCCa
1
11/21/2026
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.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
BOC
1
11/21/2026
CSCCa
1
11/21/2026
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.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/21/2026
BOC
1
11/21/2026
CSCCa
1
11/21/2026
The ketone bodies acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate have wide-ranging metabolic and molecular effects on organs such as the brain, heart and skeletal muscle, some of which are suggestive of benefits to athletes in terms of performance and recovery. The recent development and increasing commercial availability of ingestible forms of ketone bodies as exogenous ketone supplements has amplified interest in these compounds. A variety of compounds classified as exogenous ketone supplements are now available and have been subject to several studies in exercise performance and recovery contexts in human participants. While there are mechanistic bases for potential beneficial effects of exogenous ketone supplements in various athletic contexts, most studies to date have failed to observe benefits to performance or recovery.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
05/15/2026
BOC
1
05/15/2026
CSCCa
1
05/05/2026
There are important sex-based differences that exist between men and women that may influence nutrition and dietary supplement recommendations. The hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, and with oral contraceptives, result in metabolic alterations which should be considered when making supplement considerations for active women. Body composition and protein metabolism also change throughout a woman’s lifespan. This course will detail the scientific evidence related to sex-specific nutritional recommendations.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
05/15/2026
BOC
1
05/15/2026
The importance of carbohydrate as a fuel source for endurance exercise and athletic performance is well established. Despite decades of intense carbohydrate research within the field of sports nutrition, new knowledge continues to be generated with the potential to inform practice. To ensure sufficient muscle glycogen availability, endurance competition or high-quality intense training should be preceded by daily dietary carbohydrate intakes scaled to the demands of the subsequent exercise. The optimization of liver and muscle glycogen content in the hours before and hours directly after exercise are important goals for carbohydrate nutrition. In this respect, nutrition strategies that combine glucose and fructose carbohydrate sources appear most beneficial for enhancement of performance and recovery. Athletes looking to benefit from carbohydrate feeding during exercise can choose from a wide range of readily oxidizable carbohydrate sources, with glucose-fructose blends (inc. sucrose) affording the greatest flexibility for within-event modulation of carbohydrate intake. Finally, a periodized approach to dietary carbohydrate intake around training will ensure athletes have sufficient fuel to execute the demands of training to maximize training adaptation whilst minimizing the potential for adverse health or performance consequences (e.g., through development of RED-S).
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
05/15/2026
BOC
1
05/15/2026
CSCCa
1
05/05/2026
The application of sound nutritional guidance is necessary to support female soccer player health and performance. Based on findings in elite female soccer players, there is scope to improve nutritional practices relative to energy intake, fueling, hydration, and supplement use. Drs. Samantha Moss and Rebecca Randell discuss the energy and nutrient needs of female soccer players and areas where additional high-quality research that includes elite female players as participants is necessary.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
04/04/2026
BOC
1
04/04/2026
CSCCa
1
04/04/2026
There has been considerable interest recently in the concept of sweat biomarkers, which is generally defined as the use of sweat as a non-invasive alternative to blood analysis to provide insights into human physiology, health, and performance. Despite recent technological advances in wearable devices the application of sweat diagnostics in sports science has been limited to date. This course will discuss the challenges of utilizing sweat biomarkers and wearable technologies as well as where future work is needed.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
02/06/2026
BOC
1
02/06/2026
CSCCa
1
02/06/2026
In this course, Dr David Kennedy discusses caffeine from a research and real-world perspective. Caffeine, when taken alone in a research context, is associated with consistent ergogenic and psychological benefits, although within differing optimal dose ranges. In a real-world sport/exercise context, caffeine is often consumed alongside other bioactive compounds in the form of manufactured energy drinks or naturally occurring, plant-derived, caffeinated products. This SSE course explores the state of the research and where further exploration is needed.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
02/06/2026
BOC
1
02/06/2026
Aging is associated with the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and decline in physical function which may result in reduced mobility and subsequent loss of independence. Exercise is a potent stimulator of muscle protein synthesis in both athletic populations and in older adults. Dietary practices by athletes to augment performance and recovery may be relevant to the preservation of skeletal muscle mass and strength in older adults such as the supplementation with creatine, long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), and inorganic nitrate.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
12/19/2025
BOC
1
12/19/2025
Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) are a class of biologically active fatty acids that play fundamental roles in the production of anti-inflammatory signalling molecules as well as serving as vital components of phospholipid membranes. The most well studied LC n-3 PUFAs are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n-3). Often associated with improved cardiovascular health, there is now emerging evidence that ingestion of LC n-3 PUFAs above population recommendations enhances skeletal muscle anabolism in older adults. Indeed, daily intake of ~ 5g/d of LC n-3 PUFAs has been shown to potentiate the muscle protein synthetic response to the infusion of insulin and amino acids and increase gains in skeletal muscle strength with resistance exercise training in older women. These findings suggest that LC n-3 PUFA intake could have ergogenic effects in older exercising adults. However, more recent work has failed to detect a positive impact of LC n-3 PUFA intake towards skeletal muscle in older persons. Yet, few studies have been conducted in highly-trained older adults, or ‘master athletes’ thus it is unclear if there is a benefit to increased LC n-3 PUFA intake in this specific population. Aside from the potential ergogenic benefit, as some older adults possess sub-optimal LC n-3 PUFA status, there may be utility in increasing LC n-3 PUFAs ingestion in older persons to support healthy aging.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
12/19/2025
BOC
1
12/19/2025
Because of the discussions on more sustainable food production and the need to improve lifestyle and health, there is a growing interest in the transition towards consuming a more plant-based diet. As a result, daily protein intake will be derived more from the consumption of plant-based proteins at the expense of animal-based proteins. There are many questions on whether this has impact on the capacity of an athlete to recover and recondition following exercise. So far, basic research indicates that the ingestion of plant-derived proteins may not stimulate muscle protein synthesis to the same extent when compared to the ingestion of an equivalent amount of animal-derived proteins. The proposed lesser anabolic properties of plant- versus animal-based proteins have been attributed to differences in protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics. Furthermore, most plant-derived proteins have lower essential amino acid contents and can be deficient in one or more specific amino acids. However, it should be noted that very few studies have directly compared muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of plant- versus high quality animal-derived proteins. Theoretically, a lower bioavailability and/or functionality of plant-based protein sources and/or plant-derived protein concentrates may result in greater daily protein requirements for athletes transitioning towards a (more) plant-based diet. However, as athletes typically consume a diet that provides more than 1.5 g protein per day, a lesser protein bioavailability or protein quality will unlikely compromise muscle conditioning in athletes adopting a (more) plant-based diet. However, when athletes are changing to a plant-based diet under conditions of low(er) energy and/or protein intake, a sports dietitian should be consulted to ensure ample protein provision.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/09/2025
BOC
1
11/09/2025
CSCCa
1
11/09/2025
Dietary protein is essential for an athlete’s recovery and adaptation as it provides the requisite amino acid building blocks to repair and remodeling old and/or damaged proteins, especially within working skeletal muscle. Amino acids may also be used as a source of fuel during exercise that requires high mitochondrial flux (e.g. repeated sprint and steady state endurance exercise) and therefore must be consumed in the diet to replenish these exercise-induced losses of the essential amino acids (e.g. branched chain amino acids). The majority of research on protein requirements for athletes have been performed in young individuals, which opens debate as to whether Master athletes would require similar or greater intakes. Available evidence suggest current recommendations for younger athletes would also translate to Master athletes. As opposed to daily protein targets that have been the focus of past research, current practice suggests the most efficient strategy to consume the daily protein requirement is to focus on consuming meals with a moderate amount of protein spaced regularly throughout the day. There is little evidence to suggest that protein requirements in older Master athletes are different between men and women, although estrogen is generally ‘protein-sparing’ and therefore can reduce protein requirements by ~10-15%. There appears to be an opportunity to educate Master athletes as to their meal protein requirements, which may be a safe and effective way to improve their training recovery and adaptation.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/09/2025
BOC
1
11/09/2025
Adolescence is a period of natural experimentation and is particularly important in terms of establishing the connection between diet, exercise and body image. An adolescent’s peers become increasingly powerful moderators of all behaviors, including eating. The pathway to elite sports performance is complex, and rarely forecast by success at junior levels. Stakeholders involved in managing developing athletes have a responsibility to prioritize sound physical and mental development while integrating principles of sport nutrition success.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
11/09/2025
BOC
1
11/09/2025
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.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
05/26/2025
BOC
1
05/26/2025
CSCCa
1
05/26/2025
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.
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
