American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health & Fitness Summit 2026

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health & Fitness Summit is organized by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and will be held from Mar 04 - 06, 2026.

Age Is Not a Limitation: The Science and Practice of Power Training in Older Adults
Power training isn’t just for athletes; it’s essential for healthy aging. This session challenges outdated beliefs that equate aging with frailty and explores the growing body of evidence supporting power training for older adults. Expert scientists and practitioners will share the latest research, address myths and misconceptions, and discuss how to safely and effectively implement power-based training in real-world settings. Learn how to move beyond fear and liability concerns to empower older adults through stronger, faster, and more confident movement.

Objectives:
Science Focus:

• Evaluate current evidence on the safety, efficacy, and physiological benefits of power training in older adults.
• Critically examine how misconceptions and ageist assumptions have shaped traditional exercise recommendations and limited adoption of power training.

Practice Focus:

• Apply evidence-based strategies for safely introducing and progressing power training programs with older adults in various fitness and clinical environments.
• Identify practical approaches to overcoming barriers related to fear, liability, and client motivation to successfully implement power training.
• Integrate risk awareness, behavior modification strategies, and individualized adaptations to safely implement power training programs for older adults with common orthopedic and chronic conditions (e.g., knee or shoulder issues, hypertension, diabetes), using current injury data to inform practice.

Tracking the Truth: How Reliable Are Your Fitness Wearables and Are They Helping or Hurting?
Wearable technology continues to evolve from chest straps and armbands to smart rings, watches, and patches but how much of what we measure is truly meaningful? This session bridges science and practice by exploring the validity and reliability of today’s most common wearable metrics and their real-world influence on exercise behavior. Join a leading scientist and practitioner to unpack what’s accurate, what’s hype, and how to guide clients in using wearable data as a helpful tool rather than a decision-maker.

Objectives:
Science Focus:

• Identify the most commonly measured metrics in wearable devices and evaluate the supporting scientific evidence for their accuracy and reliability.
• Discuss types of devices, past and future, and the impact these have had on the industry and where the industry is going.
   

Practice Focus:

• Discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using wearable technology to promote behavior change in fitness and health settings.
• Apply practical strategies for helping clients interpret and use wearable data appropriately to support, rather than control, their exercise decisions.

Menstrual Cycle Training: Science, Strategy, or Social Media Hype?
What do we really know about menstrual cycle training, is it social media hype or science? As more programs and influencers promote “cycle syncing” for performance, strength, and recovery, it’s essential for exercise professionals to understand what the research actually supports. This session examines the current scientific evidence on how hormonal fluctuations influence training adaptations, metabolism, and recovery across the menstrual cycle. Presenters will address common myths, clarify misconceptions, and highlight where the science is strong, and where it’s still emerging. Practical applications will focus on how to adapt exercise programming, nutrition, and recovery strategies to meet women’s needs across different phases of the cycle based on symptoms, individual challenges, and competitive demands. Through real-world examples, including endurance, strength, and general fitness scenarios, participants will learn how to confidently and pragmatically integrate training and nutrition modifications into their coaching practice based on the needs of the individual rather than over-hyped and over-generalized recommendations.

Objectives:
Science Focus:

• Explain how hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle influence exercise performance, recovery, and energy balance.
• Differentiate evidence-based findings from anecdotal or social media claims related to cycle syncing and training optimization.
• Evaluate the quality and limitations of current research on menstrual cycle–based training and nutrition recommendations. Interpret scientific data to understand when menstrual phase adaptations are supported by evidence and when they remain theoretical.
   

Practice Focus:

• Design training plans that adjust intensity, volume, and recovery according to menstrual cycle impacts.
• Apply cycle-informed strategies to support clients in managing symptoms such as fatigue, cramping, or reduced motivation.
• Integrate nutrition and recovery approaches that align with hormonal and energy balance changes throughout the cycle within scope of practice.
• Develop communication strategies to discuss menstrual health confidently and respectfully with clients.

Live Recordings Available On-demand