The Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), this year held in Rimini, Italy, gives a yearly indication on new trends on hot topics within the field of sport science. Unter the evocative theme "Sport Science from Renaissance to the Millenial Era", the congress brought together over 3000 delegates from across the glove, celebrating both the historical roots and future directions of the discipline. This year's program reflected a maturing field that continues to expand its interdisciplinary reach. A total of 2276 abstracts were presented, with balanced representation across the congress sections: Sports and Exercise Medicine and Health (27%), Applied Sport Sciences (25%), Physiology and Nutrition (21%), Psychology, Social Sciences and Humanities (14%), and Biomechanics and Motor Control (13%). The representations and following discussions revealed several recurring themes and nascent research directions that are likely to shape the field going forward. In this report, seven trends were selected and highlighted.
© Copyright 2026 European Journal of Sport Science. Wiley. All rights reserved.