Hot Topic | Physiological Assessments Using Muscle Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (mNIRS)
What is muscle near-infrared spectroscopy (mNIRS)? Muscle near-infrared spectroscopy (mNIRS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to measure the changes in blood volume and oxygenation responses within the smaller diameter blood vessels in skeletal muscle. This is possible because near infrared light (~700-900 nm) emitted into biological tissues can help determine the oxygenation […]
Science Spotlight | ACSM Releases New Position Stand on Resistance Training
ACSM is pleased to announce the publication of a new position stand titled: Resistance Training Prescription for Muscle Function, Hypertrophy, and Physical Performance in Healthy Adults: An Overview of Reviews. The paper will be published in the April 2026 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise and chaired by Stuart M. Phillips, PhD […]
Active Voice | Central + Peripheral Stimulation for Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
Roughly 645 million people suffer globally from knee osteoarthritis (KOA), ranking it among the most prominent disability causes. KOA prevalence increases with age, affecting approximately 10% of men and 13% of women over the age of 60. Pain is the primary symptom and prompts medical care, likely impairing functional mobility. First-line pain meds like nonsteroidal […]
Science Spotlight | March 2026 Highlights
ACSM From Around the Field Science Webinar Series Open to Students ACSM’s From Around the Field Science webinar series is designed to provide ACSM students and members with an opportunity to learn about the diverse science our members conduct. Join us for informal discussions with our ACSM members to hear more about what they study, […]
Science Spotlight | Apply for the SILC Basic Science Travel Award
Call for applicants: Basic Science research travel award to the ACSM Annual Meeting Now is the time for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students enrolled in full-time programs to apply for the 2026 Science Integration & Leadership Committee (SILC) Basic Science Award. The SILC Basic Science Award recognizes excellence in student research in basic science and […]
Hot Topic | Are Weighted Vests Worth the Hype?
Weighted vest use has garnered wide-spread popularity, with many internet influencers and social media proponents promoting health and fitness claims. Given the gap between testimonials and systematic research, distinguishing facts from stories is essential. In this commentary, we address common questions regarding verifiable physiological outcomes from their use and provide advice fitness professionals can give […]
Science Spotlight | New Consensus Statement Highlights Care for Adolescent Athletes
New ACSM Team Physician Consensus Conference Statement Published In February 2026, the American College of Sports Medicine Team Physician Consensus Conference (TPCC) produced a new statement, “The Adolescent Athlete and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. 2025 Update” in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (MSSE) and the Current Sports Medicine Reports (CSMR) […]
Active Voice | Orthostatic Hypotension in Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury
Many perceive paralysis as the most devastating consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Yet, among athletes with SCI, autonomic dysfunctions, including impaired blood pressure (BP) control, are also critical, invisible health concerns that can impair cognition, daily activities, and athletic performance. In able-bodied individuals, when moving from lying down to sitting or standing, the autonomic […]
Science Spotlight | New Travel Award for Graduate, Medical Students
The ACSM Foundation is excited to announce the new Brian C. Focht Student Travel Award to assist students with travel expenses to present their research at the ACSM Annual Meeting. This new award has been established in memory of Brian C Focht, PhD, RD, FACSM, a Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Exercise and […]
Hot Topic | Challenging Postural Control Through Stroboscopic Eyewear
Sight is one of the key sensory inputs for maintaining upright posture, regardless of whether a person is playing a sport or standing in line at the grocery store. Visual processing helps a person understand body position alongside the vestibular and somatosensory systems. If we compromise any of these key sensory inputs, the common result […]
