ACSM Advocacy

ACSM Issue Briefs

ACSM Issue Briefs lay out evidence-based recommendations on a range of topics, guiding elected officials, appointed administrators, volunteers and advocates. View our series of succinct discussions of issues relating to the College’s mission, articulated by experts and overseen by the ACSM Health and Science Policy Committee.

These Issue Briefs are designed to be shared with policy makers at all levels of local and federal government. Click on the Issue Brief title to download digital and printable versions.

Stay In the Know

The monthly advocacy newsletter provides key updates and action items for ACSM members and certified professionals. It includes news about ACSM’s initiatives and general information that could affect our professional community.

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Policy Corner
The federal appeals court decision on the research indirect cost rate cap is a major
The federal appeals court decision on the research indirect cost rate cap is a major
Uncover the key discussions on health care affordability, premiums, and deductibles from the recent Senate

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