Environmental and Occupational Physiology

Mission: To promote and facilitate applied research and provide clinical information on the physiological demands, challenges and consequences of performing exercise in environmental extremes and occupational settings; and to develop resource materials for ACSM members with interest in the relation of physical performance to occupations with environmental or occupational demands.

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Leadership

Research Awards and Scholarships

The Environmental and Occupational Physiology Special Interest Group (EOPIG) supports trainee and early career development through research awards at our annual meeting. Opportunities are available for undergraduate students, master’s students, doctoral trainees, and early career professionals presenting environmental and occupational physiology related research at the ACSM Annual Meeting. Awards recognize excellence in scientific contribution, innovation, and presentation quality.

SIG of the Month

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Sponsors

Parvo Medics

GSSI Pre-Conference

The Physiology of Hydration: More Than Water Alone

This session explores the physiology of hydration through an integrated lens—examining how carbohydrate, sodium, flavor, and fluid interact to influence intake, absorption, retention, and performance. We’ll review current research on fluid balance, osmotic drivers, and palatability, highlighting mechanisms that underpin voluntary intake and thermoregulation. Attendees will gain insight into individualized strategies, including sweat profiling and timing approaches, to optimize euhydration and mitigate performance decrements associated with >2% body-mass loss. Practical applications will be linked to laboratory- and field-based research, ensuring translation from bench to field. This pre-conference equips you with evidence-based tools to support athlete hydration across diverse environments and sporting contexts. 

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  • Session 1: Sweating the detail: New insights on hydration considerations for athlete performance
    • Lewis James, PhD, Associate Professor in Human Nutrition in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University
  • Session 2: Functional ingredients in fluid replacement beverages for athletes
    • Lindsay Baker, PhD, Director at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute
  • Session 3: The hydration toolkit: Practical approaches to athlete support
    • Floris Wardenaar, PhD, Associate Professor at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University