Program Tracks

ACSM’s International Health and Fitness Summit features nine lecture tracks that bridge the gap between the science of sports medicine and practical applications for fitness professionals.

Through our diverse range of programming, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in pre-conferences, hands-on workshops, panel discussions and lectures that cover a wide range of disciplines. Our presenters highlight practical applications that will help you apply what you will learn at the International Health & Fitness Summit into everyday situations.

Click the title of each program track below to see the sessions offered.

Engagement Using Digital Platforms

Strong business and management skills are essential for many health fitness professionals. Topics include program development, management, networking, client retention, marketing, customer service and relationship-building, leadership, safety and current trends in technology (e.g., website, email, mobile apps and social media) as they relate to business and communication in the fitness industry. Topics that help attendees develop new skills for the purpose of advancement in the field are also encouraged.

Exercise Interventions for Chronic Disease or Other Health Challenges

Exercise interventions can be tailored to reach individuals with chronic disease or other health challenges such as cancer, hypertension, obesity and low back pain. Proposals should increase the knowledge and competency of health fitness professionals to provide safe and effective exercise prescription for individuals with chronic disease and other health challenges, as well as provide guidance on when to refer a client back to a physician or more specialized exercise training with a clinical exercise physiologist.

Exercise is Medicine^®

Exercise is Medicine® is an ACSM initiative focused on encouraging primary care physicians and other health care providers to include exercise when designing treatment plans for patients. Proposals should focus on the integration of exercise into health and heath care. Topics include developing and implementing collaborations with health care providers and facilitating referrals to certified fitness professionals.

Exercise Programming

Health fitness professionals require up-to-date information to effectively develop safe, appropriate and effective exercise programs. Proposals should focus on advancements in fitness assessment, exercise prescription or health and fitness programming based on current research and evidence-based practice. Sessions should provide immediate takeaways for the health fitness practitioner.

Fitness Management

Strong business and management skills are essential for many health fitness professionals. Presentations in this track should enhance an individual's management skills, leadership abilities, and business acumen within the fitness industry and/or facility.

Health Behavior Change and Motivation

Helping individuals adopt and maintain healthy behaviors is an essential skill for health fitness practitioners. Proposals should focus on strategies and techniques based on the latest research in psychology and behavior change. Topics include adoption and maintenance of health behaviors, motivation, communication and goal setting.

Physical Activity Throughout the Lifespan

Exercise interventions can be tailored to reach healthy populations including children, middle-aged and older adults and pregnant women. Proposals should focus on program design, modification, implementation and assessment to meet the specific goals, needs and abilities of individuals within a target population.

Professional Development

Presentations in this track should have the professional and career development of the fitness professional as their focal point. Specifically, ways to advance in the field, or academic opportunities to gain knowledge, etc.

Trends and Updates in Nutrition

Health fitness professionals need help differentiating between nutrition myths and scientifically sound principles. Proposals should provide research-based nutrition information and answer questions regarding evidence-based guidelines, dietary supplements, fads and trends, fueling for athletic performance and overall healthy eating principles.

Worksite Health Promotion

Increasing numbers of employers offer a coordinated and comprehensive set of health promotion and protection strategies to promote healthy living. Proposals should provide health fitness professionals strategies to increase employee health and physical activity. Topics include program design and evaluation, policy development, system infrastructure modifications, as well as environmental and community supports designed to encourage the health and safety of all employees and their families.

Specialty Workouts

Leaders in the fitness industry will have the opportunity to take Summit attendees through a highly engaging and innovative workout and expose practitioners to new formats and teaching methods that can be applied to programming for group exercise classes and private clients.