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  • 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting Highlighted Sessions in Environmental and Occupational Physiology

    by Caitlin Kinser | May 16, 2023

    765x370 23 annual meeting_EOPWe’re excited to see you all very soon for the ACSM 2023 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado! The Environmental and Occupation Physiology (EOP) topical area offers an exciting in-person program for the 2023 conference with lots of not-to-be-missed sessions. This topical area is highly relevant to anyone interested in topics relating to human health and performance in environmental extremes, including cold exposure, heat, diving physiology, altitude and microgravity. Sessions range from basic science to applications for training, hydration, clothing and policy development in athletes, clinical populations, military, firefighters and related occupations. Many of the sessions will appeal to researchers, athletes, coaches and clinicians, so please join us for some exceptional EOP sessions.

    We are excited to promote the EOP Highlighted Symposium on the timely and important topic of “The Mental Health Crisis: The Impact of Exercise and the Environment on Psychobiological Function” (session B-10, room 205) which will be held on Wednesday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m. This symposium features cross-disciplinary experts from the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and The University of Texas at Arlington, who will discuss the complex physiological mechanisms by which mood and anxiety disorders increase chronic disease risk, with a major focus on the influence of exercise and the environment on psychobiological function. The exciting line-up of speakers includes Christopher A. Lowry, Ph.D., Jody Greaney, Ph.D., FACSM, Kerrie Moreau, Ph.D. and Tracy Greer, Ph.D. The session will be rounded off with questions and discussion so please join us for what will be an excellent series of talks!

    A continuing theme in EOP programming concerns sex-related differences in physiological responses to varied environmental stressors. This provides another timely topic, discussing “Hot in (Her)re: New Insights into Thermal and Fluid Regulation in Women” which will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1 (session D-24, room 207). This brings together an excellent group of speakers including Orlando Laitano, Ph.D., discussing sex as a biological variable in exertional heat stroke (EHS), Toby Mündel, Ph.D., addressing if ovarian hormones influence EHS and Jessica Freemas, discussing fluid regulation across the menstrual cycle. Gabrielle Giersch, Ph.D., will round up the session highlighting potential sex differences in heat stress in the US military.

    Some other exciting sessions to look out for are “Dehydration: Sweating Out the Details of Multiple System Dysfunction” (session C-50, room 207) on Wednesday, May 31 at 3:45 p.m. co-chaired by Zac Schlader, Ph.D., FACSM and J.J. Duke, Ph.D., FACSM. Topics include the effects of dehydration on renal function, pain, and social determinants and racial differences in hydration with implications for cardiovascular health. For those interested in the effects of a variety of oral supplements and topical applications including menthol and sunscreen on different aspects of thermoregulation, please consider attending Thematic Poster session “From Supplements to Sunscreen: Effects on Thermoregulation” (session E-57, room 706) on Thursday, June 1 at 3:45 p.m.

    For those interested in a broad range of topics relating to heat illness risk and prevention in populations including children, older adults and athletes, Ollie Jay, Ph.D., is chairing the free communication/slide session “It's Getting Hot in Here: Heat Illness Risk and Prevention” (session G-56, room 710) on June 2 at 3:45 p.m. Scott Collier, Ph.D. is chairing a rapid fire platform session on “Occupational and Military Physiology: Sleep” (session C-47, Hall B) on Wednesday, May 31 at 3:45 p.m. which highlights the impact of shift work and related occupational factors in police, firefighters and Navy personnel on different aspects of sleep.

    The 2023 annual meeting also features a comprehensive range of posters covering all aspects of environmental, occupational and military physiology, including physiological responses to heat, cold, altitude, hyperbaria and microgravity. Applied aspects of the EOP topical area also highlight military, police and firefighter relevant tasks and physiological responses. Poster session chairs will be walking around the poster hall and encouraging some fun discussion, so please stop by as many poster sessions as you can!

    We have an exceptional EOP program for 2023 with only a few sessions highlighted here. Please review the full EOP program and we look forward to seeing you in Denver in a few weeks!

    Join us at the 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting

    Caroline Smith HeadshotCaroline J. Smith, Ph.D., FACSM, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, NC. She is Director of the Thermal and Microvascular Physiology Laboratory specializing in thermal physiology. Her research program broadly focuses on thermoregulatory responses during exposure to heat and dermal carcinogen exposure in occupational settings. Dr. Smith received her PhD in Thermal Physiology from the Environmental Ergonomics Research Center, Loughborough University, UK, and completed postdoctoral training at Noll Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University. She is the topical representative for Environmental and Occupational Physiology on the ACSM program committee.

  • 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting Highlighted Sessions in Skeletal Muscle, Bone, and Connective Tissue

    by Greg Margason | May 04, 2023
    AM blog graphic

    It is a pleasure to serve as the ACSM topical representative for Skeletal Muscle, Bone, and Connective Tissue. I look forward to seeing everyone this year in beautiful Denver, CO. The 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting will feature a number of outstanding sessions on the interactions between exercise, skeletal muscle, bone, and connective tissue health. There are three sessions that I think will be of particular interest to conference attendees. The first is a highlighted symposium entitled, “Beyond the Weight room: The Importance of Skeletal Muscle in Health and Disease”. This session is scheduled for Thursday June 1, 2023 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  The symposium will be chaired by Blake Rasmussen, Ph.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and features two other outstanding speakers; Marni Boppart, Sc.D. FACSM from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Nicholas Greene, Ph.D., FACSM from the University of Arkansas. This session will discuss current research on the transcriptomic and metabolic response to early-phase recovery from skeletal muscle disuse in men and women, highlight the contribution of extracellular vesicles on skeletal muscle recovery following immobilization, and discuss the roles of biologic sex and altered muscle metabolism in cancer-induced cachexia. 

    The second symposium I would like to highlight is entitled, “Mechanisms and Considerations for Musculoskeletal Anabolic Resistance in Healthy Adults under Physiological Stress”. This session is scheduled for Wednesday May 31, 2023 from 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. and features four outstanding scientists. Speakers include Stefan Pasiakos, Ph.D., FACSCM, Jess Gwin, Ph.D., and Julie Hughes, PhD., FACSM from the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, and Kristin Popp, Ph.D. from Massachusetts General Hospital. This session will highlight the mechanisms contributing to musculoskeletal anabolic resistance in healthy adults exposed to physiological stress in sport and during military training, and will provide considerations for targeted exercise, nutrition, and pharmacologic interventions to overcome musculoskeletal anabolic resistance and promote tissue growth under stress. 

    The final symposium that I would like to highlight is entitled, “Oxygen and Striated Muscle Function” and features four of the leading experts on skeletal muscle metabolism and health. The session is scheduled for Friday June 2, 2023 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Speakers include, Mike Hogan, Ph.D., FACSM from the University of California, San Diego, L. Bruce Gladden, Ph.D., FACSM from Auburn University, David Poole, Ph.D., FACSM from Kansas State University, Sarah Kuzmiak-Glancy, Ph.D., from the University of Maryland, and Anni Vanhatalo, Ph.D., FACSM from the University of Exeter. This session will recount and discuss: a) oxygen and skeletal muscle function, b) oxygen and lactate accumulation and oxygen uptake on-kinetics, c) oxygen and cardiac muscle function, and d) oxygen and athletic performance. Given the importance of oxygen availability in aging and many chronic diseased states, this session will appeal to a broad audience from basic scientists and those with applied interests. 

    In addition to these sessions there are five excellent Tutorial Lectures throughout the week, an oral free communication session on “Skeletal Muscle and Resistance Training” (Friday 9:30 a.m.), a thematic poster session on “Skeletal Muscle in Health and Disease” (Wednesday 9:30 a.m.), and several poster sessions spread throughout the week. 

    Learn more about the other featured sessions in Skeletal Muscle, Bone, and Connective Tissue and the many other sessions that will be presented at the 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting here.

    Join Us at the ACSM Annual Meeting

    Gordon Fisher

    Gordon Fisher, Ph.D., FACSM     is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Human Studies, and holds Senior Scientist positions in the Center for Exercise Medicine, Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, and the Diabetes Research Center at UAB. 

  • 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting Highlighted Sessions in Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement

    by Caitlin Kinser | Apr 21, 2023

    765x370 23 annual meeting_BiomechanicsThe 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting is packed with more Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement content than ever before. This year, the Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement topical area has seven special sessions (i.e., symposia and tutorial lectures), additional content being offered exclusively online, and an exciting group of interdisciplinary topics being presented through the free communication sessions.  

    The free communication portion of the Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement content will begin with a podium session on “Parkinson's Disease” (Wednesday May 31, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.) and poster sessions on “Baseball & Softball Biomechanics” and “Methods & Alternative Measurement Techniques” Wednesday May 31, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). Other free communication sessions include: a thematic poster session titled, “Arthritis” (Friday, June 2, 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.) which will include research on arthritis and osteoarthritis;  a thematic poster session titled, “Biomechanical Considerations for ACL Injury & Rehabilitation” (Thursday June 1, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.); a rapid-fire podium session titled, “Special Topics in Gait Biomechanics” (Thursday June 1, 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.); a thematic poster session on “Running Injury” (Friday June 2, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.); and poster sessions dedicated to running mechanics, concussions, military health biomechanics, aging, ankle instability, jumping & landing biomechanics, among other great topics. 

    Our showcase highlighted symposium this year is “Moving & Shaking: Biomechanical and Motor Considerations for Cancer Treatment and Rehab” (Thursday June 1, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m). Presenters include David Lipps, Ph.D. (University of Michigan), Srikant Vallabhajosula, Ph.D. (Elon University), Shane Murphy, Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse), and Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, PhD, MFA, CMES (Ohio State University) and chaired by Ajit Chaudhari, PhD, FACSM (Ohio State University). This symposium will present the biomechanical and motor effects of cancer and cancer treatment including the effects on neuromuscular tissues and human functional performance. Preliminary data from exercise interventions to improve biomechanical function in cancer patients will be presented and considerations for designing therapeutic interventions that consider movement capabilities of cancer patients and reduce the risk of falls will be discussed. An additional goal of this symposium is to highlight the importance of small, pragmatic trials as critical steppingstones to increase our understanding of the biomechanical challenges facing cancer survivors and our ability to improve exercise and mobility-focused interventions for them. 

    The two symposia for the Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement topical area include:

    Wednesday May 31, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. “Can a Causal Framework Improve the Science and Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner?” presented by Chris Napier, PT, Ph.D. (Simon Fraser University), Rich Willy, PT, Ph.D. (University of Montana, Missoula), Emily Kraus, MD (Stanford University), Shalaya Kipp, MS (University of British Columbia), as well as distance runner and author, Lauren Fleshman. The historical focus on a single factor (e.g., biomechanics, strengthening) has not been effective in the prevention of running-related injuries. This symposium will discuss a causal framework that considers the complexity of injury within the context of the runner and the complex interaction between runner’s biomechanics, applied training loads, energy availability, nutrition, physiology, and psychology. Examining running injuries from this framework may be more insightful in the prevention and treatment of running related injuries than historical approaches. Overall, this proposal aims to present a multi-disciplinary approach, including discussion from the athlete’s perspective, to challenge and improve upon current approaches to the research and care of the injured runner. 

    Friday June 2, 3:45 – 5:45 p.m. “Data-Driven Biomechanics to Optimize Performance and Prevent Injuries” presented by Michael Hahn, Ph.D. (University of Oregon), Jennifer Hicks, Ph.D. (Stanford University), Michael Fredericson, M.D., FACSM (Stanford University), Swithin Razu, Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego), and chaired by Scott Delp, Ph.D. (Stanford University). Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed fields including natural language processing and computer vision. With growing data available about human performance from wearable sensors and video, AI is poised to have a similar transformative effect on the study of human movement biomechanics. Researchers are now examining cohorts that are orders of magnitude larger than the typical biomechanics study. Findings from these studies could provide athletes of all types and abilities with personalized, data-driven insights to customize their training and recovery. This symposium will feature research that uses large-scale datasets, such as those provided by wearable and mobile sensors, to uncover underlying biomechanical mechanisms of injury and performance, and provide meaningful insights to improve training, screening, rehabilitation, and return-to-play. Speakers will discuss both the challenges associated with analyzing datasets that may be “messier” than typical experiments, as well as the transformative opportunities of AI for movement biomechanics and human performance. 

    Tutorial lectures include: 

    • “Knee Hyperextension, the Underappreciated Knee Pathology” (Wednesday May 31, 10:40 – 11:30 a.m.) presented by Patricia Teran-Wodzinski, PT, Ph.D, Irene Davis, Ph.D., P.T., FACSM, and Mackenzie Garreth, PT, DPT, OCS all from the University of South Florida. 

    • “What we Know and What we Don't Know Regarding Gait Biomechanics in Aging” (Thursday June 1, 8:25 – 9:15 a.m.) presented by Jaimie Roper, Ph.D., Patrick Monaghan, MS, and Brandon Peoples from Auburn University.  

    • “Footwear Debate” (Friday June 2, 10:40 – 11:30 a.m.) led by Irene Davis, Ph.D., P.T., FACSM (University of Southern Florida) 

    • “Instrumented Mouthguards: Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Compliance in Sports” (Friday June 2, 1:30 – 2:20 p.m.) presented by Nicholas Murray, Ph.D. (University of Nevada, Reno) and Enora Le Flao, Ph.D. (Stanford University) 

    • Online Exclusive – “Searching for “Optimal” Loading in Groups at High Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis” presented by Derek Pamukoff, Ph.D. (Western University) and Brian Pietrosimone, Ph.D., FACSM (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) 

    • Online Exclusive – “Emerging Technologies for Evaluating Human Motion in Sports & Exercise Medicine” presented by Cindy Lin, M.D., FACSM (University of Washington, Seattle), Cayce Onks, DO, MS, ATC (Pennsylvania State University, Hershey), and Matthew Silvis, M.D. (Pennsylvania State University, Hershey) 

    There are several other sessions that will be of interest to biomechanists and motor controlists that are being presented throughout the Annual Meeting and World Congresses, such as the symposium titled, “The Age-Related Changes in Gait Biomechanics and the Energy Cost of Walking in Old Age: Where Are We and What Do We Need to Know?” (Thursday June 1, 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.) presented by Jane Kent, Ph.D., FACSM (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), Katherine Boyer, Ph.D. (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), Brian Umberger, Ph.D. (University of Michigan), and James Finley, Ph.D. (University of Southern California). This session is included within the program for The World Congress on the Basic Science of Physical Activity and Aging Biology. 

    The Biomechanics Interest Group (BIG) will be hosting their meeting on site. Stay tuned to their website and Twitter for details about the event as they become available. The BIG meeting will include a social event, awards ceremony, and a talk by the 2023 ACSM-BIG Career Achievement Award Winner.

    Join Us at the ACSM Annual Meeting

    Allison GruberAllison H. Gruber, Ph.D., FACSM, is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology in the Indiana University School of Public Health – Bloomington. She is the Topical Representative for Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement and a previous chairperson of the ACSM Biomechanics Interest Group. Her research interests include the mechanisms of running-related musculoskeletal injuries, wearable technology, and using advanced analysis techniques to better understand biomechanical signals for gait analysis. Symposia summaries were compiled based on information provided by the submitter. 

  • 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting Highlighted Sessions in Clinical Exercise Physiology

    by Caitlin Kinser | Apr 19, 2023

    765x370 2023 annual meeting_CEPAs the topical representative for Clinical Exercise Physiology, it is my pleasure to highlight some of the exciting sessions at the 2023 Annual Meeting that will be held in Denver, CO.  

    Our Highlighted Symposium this year is titled “Lactate in Health and Disease: The Renaissance Metabolite” and is Friday, June 2nd at 9:30AM (All times listed in Mountain Daylight Time). Lactate has historically been a popular topic and in recent years has reemerged for its clinical implications role in regulating metabolism as it relates to health and disease. This session includes a great lineup of speakers and is being organized by Joe Houmard, Ph.D., FACSM, and Nick Broskey, Ph.D. from East Carolina University. The session will include talks by Bruce Gladden, Ph.D., FACSM, Auburn University (Evolution of Blood Lactate as a Predictor of Health), Nick Broskey, Ph.D., East Carolina University (Lactate as a Predictor of Metabolic Disease), George Brooks, Ph.D., FACSM, University of California-Berkeley (Role of the Postdrianial and other Lactate Shuttles in Metabolic Regulation), and Inigo San Millan, Ph.D., University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (Lactate and Health: Lessons Learned from Elite Athletes to Apply to Clinical Populations). We look forward to an informative session on this important and relevant topic.   

    As hypertension continues to have widespread public health impacts, Dr. Katharine Currie will lead a symposium on “The Role of Exercise Blood Pressure in Hypertension:  Measurement, Mechanisms, and Management” with talks by Dr. Martin Shultz, Dr. Phillip Millar, and Dr. Linda Pescatello, FACSM that will begin at 3:45PM on Thursday, June 1st. This session will not only overview current knowledge on exercise for hypertension but will also cover the use of exercise testing for identifying individuals at risk for hypertension.   

    In addition to these wonderful sessions there will be a session on the Professionalization of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist (Tuesday May 30th 2:10PM; sponsored by Exercise is Medicine) and a session on Implementing Exercise Testing and Physical Activity in Pediatric Clinics (Friday, June 2nd,4:55PM), along with several poster sessions spread throughout the week. A pre-recorded Colloquium on Employer and Colleague Expectations of the Exercise Professional will also be available following the meeting.  

    We look forward to a fabulous 2023 ACSM Annual Meeting and it is my hope that you will find these sessions informative, thought provoking and will foster opportunities for those interested in Clinical Exercise Physiology to connect and network.   

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