The 2025 Symposium explored the cutting edge of sports nutrition, where advanced technology meets human physiology. From the rigorous environments of military performance to the personalized insights of nutrigenomics, the Symposium delved into how PEDs and analytics, wearable technology, and genetic insights are revolutionizing the optimization of athletic performance. Attendees discovered how these innovations are not only enhancing training and recovery but also redefining our approach to dietary performance enhancers.

"Bringing a Product from Research to Warfighter"

This session discussed the process of a product that was developed in collaboration with commercial partners a U.S. Army research laboratory. The product was a wearable, physiological status monitoring (PSM) system. However, the presentation uses the PSM system developed as an example of the process that research and development professionals must go to bring a product to the hands of the Warfighter. There are many challenges that must be overcome and this presentation highlights some of those challenges as they pertain to fielding a PSM system to a specific set of Warfighters.

"Optimizing Environment and Tactics for High Heat in the NFL"

Discover the cutting-edge strategies and protocols designed to optimize performance and safety for NFL athletes in high-heat conditions. This session delved into the core concepts, effective tactics, and real-world execution of high-heat protocols, ensuring peak performance while mitigating risks. Explore how to create an environment that supports athletes' resilience and success in challenging climates.

"Utilizing Nutrition Strategies to Impact Recovery Metrics"

Optimizing recovery is essential for peak performance, injury prevention, and long-term health. This session explored how targeted nutrition strategies can enhance recovery metrics, improve energy levels and support overall performance on the competition field.

"Fueling Athletic Success: Leveraging MyFitnessPal for Peak Performance"

This session delved into how nutrition tracking can elevate athletic performance and recovery. Explore how MyFitnessPal can serve as a tool in an athletes' fuel kit - seamlessly integrating into their training routine while empowering athletes with the information to optimize their diet for energy, strength, and endurance with the support of their registered dietitian. Discover insights into how top sports organizations like the Philadelphia Eagles, champions of the Super Bowl LIX, leverage MyFitnessPal to support their athletes' diverse performance goals. From the everyday athlete to the top performers, learn how the app's data-driven features provide actionable insights that fuel performance both off and on the field. Commercial support was provided by MyFitnessPal.

"Thinking Outside the Batter's Box: Utilizing Technology to Maximize Dietitian Impact"

This session explored innovative ways dietitians can leverage the technology available to enhance their practice and broaden their impact. This session will teach you where to look within existing systems in your organization to find pertinent information that can optimize your effectiveness as a dietitian, as well as ways to create your own systems to individualize client care, quantify your impact, and boost efficiency.

"Military Nutrition Careers: Experiences and Opportunities"

This session had 10-minute briefs from several different tactical RDs on how they got started and what they do now.

"Practical Applications of Gut Microbiome Testing in Sports Nutrition"

As biological testing with athletes is becoming more mainstream, the gut microbiome prevails as an emerging evaluation that can provide powerful insights and optimize health and performance outcomes when clinically evaluated. Learn practical knowledge about what you can glean from a microbiome test, how to differentiate between test types, who the best candidates are for microbiome testing, and tips to improve gut health whether you have testing available or not, applicable to people in and out of sport.

"Precision Testing for Peak Performance"

As personalized medicine advances, precision, and functional testing become powerful tools for identifying individual limitations to peak performance and optimizing athlete health. This session walked through up-and-coming laboratory assessments to evaluate gut health, nutrient status, metabolic efficiency, and hormonal balance—critical factors influencing athletic performance and recovery. Attendees will better understand how these tests move beyond generalized recommendations to provide targeted, data-driven interventions. The session covered the science behind these assessments and practical considerations for test selection. Additionally, it addressed both the benefits and limitations of functional testing, equipping dietitians with strategies to integrate these insights into personalized nutrition plans.

"Biomarker and Performance Testing for Mitochondrial Health: From the Lab to the Court"

While we know the trajectory of health or disease may begin at the cellular level, the notion that athletic performance also starts there is an emerging topic of intrigue. Specifically, the mitochondria are of interest for different avenues of research, with researchers seeking answers to the best exercise and nutrition protocols for optimizing mitochondrial function. But how do we, the practitioners, know whether our athletes' mitochondria are functioning optimally, and then if our interventions are working? This session addressed different methods by which mitochondrial health is tested in the lab and the real-world applicability of such methods. The goal of this presentation is to leave the practitioner with steps for how to test and monitor the mitochondrial quality of their clients. Commercial support was provided by Timeline Longevity.

"Bros, Barbells, and Banned Substances: The Real Science of Performance Enhancers"

This presentation delved into the scientific, ethical, and cultural aspects of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). It provides a concise overview of commonly used substances like anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (HGH), and SARMs, exploring their mechanisms, potential benefits, and health risks. The discussion also highlights the ethical challenges of PED use in sports, the influence of social media and gym culture, and the growing need for public education on safe practices. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the trade-offs associated with PEDs and the importance of evidence-based approaches to performance optimization.