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SSE 242: Carbohydrate nutrition and skill performance in soccer

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. 

Reference Article

SSE 242: Carbohydrate nutrition and skill performance in soccer

Course Objectives

  • Identify contributing factors which reduce skill performance. 
  • Define how skill is measured and assessed in research and applied settings. 
  • Describe the appropriate carbohydrate ingestion strategies to help maintain skill performance. 

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_242_002.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 241: Nutrition for Female Athlete Bone Health

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.

 

Reference Article

SSE 241: Nutrition for Female Athlete Bone Health

Course Objectives

  • Describe the nutritional challenges and opportunities for optimal bone health in female athletes 
  • Discuss the three step-framework for preventing and treating issues related to bone health 
  • Utilize the REDs screening to identify athletes at greatest risk for bone health issues.

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

12/19/2026

BOC

1

12/19/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/sse_241_003.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 232: Exogenous Ketone Supplements as Ergogenic Aids in Athletic Performance: A New Dawn Fades?

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.

Reference Article

SSE 232: Exogenous Ketone Supplements as Ergogenic Aids in Athletic Performance: A New Dawn Fades?

Course Objectives

  • Discuss the differences between various exogenous ketone supplements in terms of form and effects on circulating ketone body concentrations 
  • Describe the potential mechanisms by which exogenous ketone supplements may improve or impair exercise performance 
  • Utilize the research to date on the effects of exogenous ketone supplements on exercise performance to guide athletes

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

05/15/2026

BOC

1

05/15/2026

CSCCa

1

05/05/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/sse_232_003.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 225: Beyond Caffeine for Mental Performance

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.

Reference Article

SSE 225: Beyond Caffeine for Mental Performance

Course Objectives

  • Define caffeine and its’ mechanism of actions as it relates to psychological effects.
  • Differentiate the optimal dose of caffeine and functional benefits for enhanced psychological performance.
  • Translate the effects of other constituents that are often co-ingested with caffeine in the real world.

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

02/06/2026

BOC

1

02/06/2026

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/sse_225_a03.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 220: Plant versus animal-based proteins to support muscle conditioning

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.

Reference Article

SSE 220: Plant versus animal-based proteins to support muscle conditioning

Course Objectives

  • Define the scientific background on the proposed lesser capacity of plant-based protein sources or plant-derived proteins to stimulate muscle protein synthesis when compared to the ingestion of an equivalent amount of high-quality, animal-based protein. 
  • Describe the differences in the bioavailability of protein from plant- versus animal-based protein sources and the intrinsic differences between plant- versus animal-derived proteins.  
  • Discuss the proposed impact of the transition towards a (more) plant-based diet on protein intake, protein intake requirements, and the capacity to recover and recondition after exercise.
 

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

11/09/2025

BOC

1

11/09/2025

CSCCa

1

11/09/2025

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/vanloon_sse220.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 219: Protein requirements of master athletes: do they need more than their younger contemporaries?

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. 

Reference Article

SSE 219: Protein requirements of master athletes: do they need more than their younger contemporaries?

Course Objectives

  • Utilize the available information on dietary protein recommendations when designing your athlete’s nutrition plan.
  • Describe the how dietary protein predominantly supports an athlete’s training and recovery 
  • Discuss why protein recommendations may not be affected by age in Master athletes 
  • Describe how proper meal planning (frequency and protein amount) can help Master athletes meet their daily protein recommendations
 

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

11/09/2025

BOC

1

11/09/2025

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/moore_protein_requirement_sse219.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SSE 216: Youth Athlete Development and Nutrition

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. 

Reference Article

SSE 216: Youth Athlete Development and Nutrition

Course Objectives

  • Describe the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders (adults) in managing the development of youth athletes. 
  • Define the criteria needed to determine energy needs for sport as well as growth and development in youth athletes.  
  • Identify macronutrient needs of youth athletes and micronutrients at most risk for insufficiency and deficiency in youth athletes. 

Course

Credits

Course Expiration

ACSM

1

11/09/2025

BOC

1

11/09/2025

Reference Article

https://www.gssiweb.org/docs/default-source/sse-docs/desbrow_sse216.pdf?sfvrsn=2