Conference Description

The 2026 Spring Conference, hosted by Merrimack College on April 17, will feature five presentations from human performance and sport science experts, culminating with a Q&A session between the audience and our invited speakers. Presentations will draw from an array of human performance, health, and wellness topics among military personnel, veterans, and first responders. The conference will also feature several student abstract presentations, which will highlight innovative findings and support young scholars by fostering engagement between our students and professional members. The top three abstracts will be featured in a rapid-fire five-minute oral presentation format.

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Key conference topics will include environmental physiology, with a focus on exercise performance at altitude; exercise for mental health, translating research to practice; sex-based performance differences in elite special operations soldiers; and improving function, mobility, and cognition among older adults.

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​5 ACSM CECs 

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Objectives:

• Understand what a tactical athlete is, and how they differ from traditional athletes 

• Foster student/professional engagement and showcase student-led research

• Expose attendees to sports science research and clinical career paths that support health and performance of our military personnel, veterans, and first responders

• Learn applications of exercise for promoting mental health, function, and mobility

• Explore cutting-edge research to understand and maximize performance in elite tactical athletes