CSEP 2020 Conference Session Feature with Dr. Connie Lebrun

September 24, 2020

There is a great line-up of Symposia to look forward to at CSEP 2020 Online! Strengthening our Performance; Keeping our Connections. We’ve interviewed each presenter to give you a preview of what to expect and how attending will benefit you.

In this feature we talk to Connie Lebrun, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, who is presenting the Exercise Professionals Workshop “Take my breath away” – Asthma in female athletes: Effects of reproductive hormones and strategies for screening and management” at CSEP 2020. Dr. Lebrun is co-presenting this sessions with Dr. Patricia Doyle-Baker and Dr. Jane Thornton.

What can CSEP certified members learn from attending your session that they can apply to their practice?

The title really says it all. However, CSEP certified members should develop an increased awareness about the menstrual cycle and how variation of endogenous reproductive hormones across the menstrual cycle phases can possibly influence the course of asthma in some women. This is important also because athletes with menstrual-linked asthma may not be cognizant of subtle changes in their respiratory function.

What do you think makes this topic and the content unique to the CSEP conference?

Recent research on the menstrual cycle, related to fat and carbohydrate substrates, cardiorespiratory parameters and performance, has garnered a lot of attention. Therefore, introducing how hormone level changes may influence asthma during the menstrual cycle will spark further interest and will be helpful when identifying important implications of management for the athlete. The knowledge and experience of the presenters will facilitate several different perspectives: sport medicine, health and performance and current research.

CSEP 2020 will be 100% online this year; how do you think this will affect your session?

This presentation can be delivered easily in person through Zoom or other online formats. Opportunities for questions can occur immediately following the presentation through the Chat or Q&A features online, or by sending an email to any of the three presenters afterwards.