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UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES
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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
Commission on Dietetic Registration
1
03/31/2024
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
Commission on Dietetic Registration
1
03/31/2024
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
Commission on Dietetic Registration
1
03/31/2024
Fatigue during high intensity sports or activities (~1-10 minutes in length) is caused by several components with strong evidence that muscle acidosis via accumulating hydrogen ions is a key performance inhibitor. To address this issue, skeletal muscle has intra and extracellular buffering mechanisms to attenuate exercise induced acidosis. Carnosine is an intracellular buffer that is key in slowing the decline of muscle pH. Carnosine has a nitrogen containing imidazole side ring which accepts or buffers hydrogen. This buffering can contribute as much as 15% of total buffering capacity. Additionally, carnosine has been shown to be a calcium/hydrogen exchanger, delivering calcium back to the sarcoplasmic reticulum and hydrogen away to the cell membrane. This suggests that carnosine may increase calcium sensitivity and muscle contraction efficiency. Plasma beta-alanine is the rate limiting substrate of carnosine. Approximately 3-6 g/d of beta-alanine supplementation over at least four weeks can elevate muscle carnosine stores by 30-60%. Several meta-analyses have been conducted and has shown 2-3% increased performance in non-elite athletes, followed with just 0.5-1% increased performance in elite athletes.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
06/24/2024
BOC
1
06/23/2024
Commission on Dietetic Registration
1
06/23/2024
CSCCa
1
06/23/2024
Caffeine is one of the most studied supplements and has shown ergogenic effects in almost every sport scenario it has been studied. The benefits of ingesting moderate to high doses of caffeine (5-9 mg/kg of body mass) before and during exercise have been well established in endurance exercise. Although the moderate to high doses of caffeine improves endurance performance, side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, nervousness, mental confusion, inability to focus and disturbed sleep have been reported. Lower doses of caffeine (<3 mg/kg of body mass) have been shown to have similar performance benefits as the moderate to high doses, and without the side effects. In addition to endurance performance, caffeine also improves performance in stop-and-go and team sports that require short-term, high intensity movements. Caffeine seems to have an antagonistic interaction with adenosine receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, which increases central drive and reduces the perception of fatigue and pain during exercise. There is some variation between individuals in response to the effects of caffeine and it is unclear whether genetic polymorphisms can explain the inter-individual seen during caffeine administration.
Course Objectives
Course
Credits
Course Expiration
ACSM
1
10/08/2023
BOC
1
10/08/2023
Commission on Dietetic Registration
1
10/08/2023
CSCCa
1
10/08/2023