Emily Werner, PhD, RD, CSSD

• Description:
  • Athletes may have heard that the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, but many do not understand the full depth of the role that mitochondria play in our bodies. They are involved in almost every physiologic process, which all contribute to an athletes’ health and performance. Suboptimal or dysfunctional mitochondria contribute to the gradual decline of muscle mass and strength, which are two important aspects of both athletic performance and overall health. For athletes, optimizing mitochondrial health is an emerging area of interest, with interventions that involve diet, exercise, and/or nutritional supplementation being at the center of the conversation. The research on nutritional supplements for mitochondrial health is increasing exponentially, with more athletes every day asking questions. In this presentation, the importance of mitochondrial health for athletes will be exemplified, including a brief overview on mitochondrial function, how function decreases with stress (e.g., exercise) and aging, and a discussion into readily available (i.e., NSF-certified) mitochondrial supplements, CoQ10 and urolithin A. This presentation will inform the practitioner about the latest research in an emerging topic of interest on the minds of our athletes today.

• The audience will learn how to:
  • Review and build upon your knowledge of mitochondrial function for health and exercise.
  • Explore strategies for athletes to optimize their mitochondrial function.
  • Learn about two emerging supplements of interest, CoQ10 and urolithin A.
  • Gain perspective on the use of mitochondrial supplements from a dietitian working in an elite sport setting.

• 1 Credit Hour as Approved by Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• 1 Credit Hour as Approved by the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC)