Where Medicine Meets Extreme Athletes
Pushing the boundaries of human potential through revolutionary medical innovation
The 5th International Extreme Sports Medicine Congress will be held June 5-6, 2026 at the beautiful Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. This world-renowned event will bring together leaders in sports medicine, including physicians, PAs, PTs, ATCs, and researchers from across the globe. The two-day program will explore topics on common injuries associated with extreme sports, personality and psychology of extreme sport athletes, cutting edge research of endurance performance, endocrine stress reactivity, genetics in adventure athletes, surgical intervention and sports associated trauma, prevention and rehab of the extreme sports athlete, near misses and fatalities, and environmental considerations
Physicians, allied healthcare providers, and anyone interested in treating the extreme sports athlete is invited to attend. In-person and virtual registration options are available. CME & CEU credit will be provided. Optional morning guided activities will take place Friday and Saturday and are included in the registration fee.
With past features in the NY Times, LA Times, Outside Magazine, NPR, and more, the 2026 Congress promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Course Directors
Dr. Omer Mei-Dan Dr. Mei-Dan is a double board-certified Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and serves as the Chief of the Hip Preservation Service at CU He has published more than 150 peerreviewed publications on topics such as PRP and the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, and he is the editor of the first textbook on extreme sports injuries
Dr. Aaron Provance specializes in pediatric sports medicine. He now serves as the pediatric sports medicine director within the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Utah His practice includes management of all pediatric and adolescent sports injuries/fractures He has a special interest in adventure and extreme sports injuries including mountain biking, rock climbing and skiing/snowboarding injuries
Explore Park City
Park City is a year-round destination with world-class resorts, Olympic venues, and 400+ miles of trails From skiing and snowboarding to hiking, biking, and fishing, it offers an authentic alpine experience for all
6:30-8:00
7:30-8:50 8:50-9:00
9:00-9:10
9:10-9:20 9:20-9:30 9:30-9:40 9:40-9:50 9:50-10:00
10:00-10:10
10:10-10:20
10:20-10:30
10:30-10:40
10:40-10:50
10:50-11:00
11:00-11:10
Guided Activities | HIIT, rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, hiking
Breakfast & Registration
Opening Remarks FRIDAY, JUNE 5th
Physiology and Trauma in High-Stakes Environments Session 1
Skimo: The Ski-Mountaineering Dilemma: Is it Harder on Your Heart or Legs?
The Genetics and Physiology of Breath-Hold Diving: The Human Adaptation
Base Jumping Injuries and Fatalities: Is Experience Good or Bad?
Formula 1 Injury Mechanism: Survive to Drive
Commando and Military Injuries: Late Night Stories
Update on CrossFit Injuries: Extreme Indoors
High Altitude Medicine: What’s the Deal with This Oxygen?
Rodeo Injuries: Did Someone See My Thumb?
White Water Kayaking Injuries: Go Go Chasing Waterfalls
Off Shore Sailing Injuries: From Solo the World to America’s Cup
Snowboarding Trauma: Double Backflip Landing on Your Head Kind of Thing
Q&A
Refreshment Break
Session 2
11:10-11:20
11:20-11:30
11:30-11:40
11:40-11:50
11:50-12:00
12:00-12:10
12:10-12:20
12:20-12:30
12:30-12:40
12:40-01:20
The Science of Risk: Extreme Athletes, Injuries, and Performance
The High Price of Shredding: Avoiding Catastrophic MTB Injuries
Supplements for Bone and Joint Health: Do Science and Marketing Headbutt?
Wing Suit Base Jumping Fatalities: Flying Too Close to the Sun
The Science of HIIT: Exploring the Medical Role of Intensity in Training Efficiency
Alpine Ski Racing Injuries: Super G or Superman?
Personality Characteristics of Extreme Athletes: Do We Ever change?
Surfing Injuries: From Big Waves to Foiling
Preventing Backcountry Avalanche Fatalities: Rolling in The Deep
Q&A
Lunch
Session 3 Challenges and Advancements in Extreme Sports Medicine
1:20-1:30
1:30-1:40
1:40-1:50
1:50-2:00
2:00-2:10
2:10-2:20
2:20-2:30
2:30-2:40
2:40-2:50
2:50-3:00
3:00-3:10
3:10-3:20
Women, Iron, and Altitude: Path to The Peak
Gynecologic Health in Female Ultramarathon Runners
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and Predictors of Outcome
Sports Specific RTP from Concussion in the Extreme Sports Medicine
The Ultimate Balance of Endurance and Precision: U.S. Biathlon
Extreme Sports in the Olympic Games: New Trends in Climbing Injuries
Osseointegration: From the Top of Everest to Paralympics
Injuries and Fatalities in Kite Surfing: Has the Olympic Committee Gone Nuts?
GLP1 Affects on Athletic Activity: Ozempic Tales
The Media’s Role in Extreme Sport Injuries
Q&A
Refreshment Break
Session 4
3:20-3:30
3:30-3:40
3:40-3:50
3:50-4:00
4:00-4:10
4:10-4:20
4:20-4:30 4:30-4:40
4:40-4:50
The Aging Extreme Sports Athlete
Golden Agers: Injury Profiles in Older Climbers
"Surfiatrics": Or How to Age into Extreme Sports
Atrial Fibrillation in The Aging Endurance Athlete: Out of Rhythm
Bone and Joint Optimization in Female Masters Athlete: Don’t Just Call it Menopause
Which Injection Should I Get to Keep Me Going: Are You on Steroids, or PRP?
Return to Extreme Level Athletism After Ceramic Hip Resurfacing
Returning to High Level Sports After Shoulder Replacement
Managing Energy Deficiency in Endurance Athletes
Q&A
Reception 5:30 Keynote Lecture 6:30
SATURDAY, JUNE 6th
Session 1 Breakfast 7:00-7:50
7:50-8:00
8:00-8:10
8:10-8:20
8:20-8:30
8:30-8:40
8:40-8:50
8:50-9:00
9:00-9:10
Inclusive Extreme Athlete Care: From Pediatric to Prenatal to Para-Athletes
Can I Skydive, Climb Everest and Do an Ironman During Pregnancy?
The Extreme Adaptive Athlete: Breaking Barriers
Extreme Sports in Health Policies: Madness or Real Opportunity
Climbing Rehab Paradigms
Sport Specialization in the Adolescent Athlete
Protective Technology in Adolescent Snow Sports Rippers
Finger Injuries in Youth Rock Climbers
Uphill Battles, Downhill Victories: Youth MTB Racing
Session 2
9:10-9:20
9:20-9:30
9:30-9:40
9:40-9:50
9:50-10:00
10:00-10:10
10:10-10:20
10:20-10:35
10:35-10:45
10:45-11:15
Diagnosis & Treatment Dilemmas: Surgical Intervention & Major Trauma
Update on ACL Treatment in the Extreme Athlete
Hamstring Injuries in Long Distance Runners: It is a Pain in the Butt
Shoulder Instability in Consequence Athletes: Can I Open My Parachute now?
Foot and Ankle Injuries: Don’t Break a Leg
Spine Injuries in the Extreme Sports Athlete: What if I Can’t Feel My Feet?
Fixing Clavicle Fractures in Downhill MTB: Can I Ride the Same Week?
Guidelines for Treatment of Open Fractures in the Field
Can I Win Ultras and Climb 5.14’s after a PAO for Hip Dysplasia
Biceps Tenodesis in the Elite Climbers and Kayakers: Where Do We Anchor It?
Refreshment Break
Session 3
11:15-11:25
11:25-11:35
11:35-11:45
11:45-11:55
11:55-12:05
12:05-12:15
12:15-12:25
12:25-12:30
12:30-12:35
12:35-01:10
Insights Across the Spectrum
Ophthalmology and Vision Consideration in Extreme Sports Medicine
The “Big Heart” of Climbers: Cardiac Adaptation in Elite Athletes
Genomic of Human Performance: Extreme Athletes and Human Potential
How to Maintain Bone Density in Space: NASA Vibrations
"Surviving the Sun" | Cancer, Aging or Chemicals: Treat Your Poison
Should You Go Climbing with Someone Who is Low in Self-Transcendence?
A Continuum-of-Care Framework: Crisis Advocacy, Social Work & Psychotherapy
Sports-Specific Nutrition for Endurance Race vs. Short Term Performance
Q&A
Lunch
Rehabilitation & Prevention Session 4
01:10-01:20
01:20-01:30
01:30-01:40
01:40-01:50
01:50-02:00
02:00-02:10
02:10-02:20
Lower Extremity Rehab: Implications of Premature Clearance
Spinal Torsion and Shear Forces: Cross Training for Extreme Sport Athletes
Run to the Finish Line, Not to the Bathroom: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in the Endurance Athlete
Upper Extremity Rehab: On the Shoulders of Giants
Rehab at High Performance: The Role of Objective Feedback
Return to Sport Clearance of the Extreme Athlete: A Death Trap
Can Meditation and Practiced Focus Prevent Injuries and Fatalities?
Session 5
02:20-02:30
02:30-02:40
02:40-02:50
02:40-03:00
03:00
The Expedition Team Physician
Challenging Sideline Coverage: Equestrian Sports Medicine
Team Physician Work: How to Prepare for an NBA Game vs. a World Cup Ski Race
Search and Rescue: More than Helicopter Parenting
Round Table Discussion: Wilderness Medicine Fellowship and Position Statement Paper
Q&A & Conclusion
Depart for Afternoon Guided Activities: rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, hiking, paddle boarding
On March 18, 1911, the Utah State Legislature designated the sego lily as the state flower
Utah is called the honeybee state Its one word motto ”Industry” and beehive emblem reflect Utah’s pioneering spirit and commitment to hard work.
