by Elyse Lovett, Editor

In 2024, the Move Nutrition Network quarterly spotlight focused on three key topics—Recovery, Cognition, and Strength—examining how each contributes to sports nutrition and supports an active lifestyle.

Our first quarterly on Recovery highlighted the role of exercise and recovery in achieving health and fitness goals with emphasis on benefits for cognition, mental well-being, and mood regulation. Recovery strategies were vital in exercise and performance goals with muscle repair, glycogen replenishment, and inflammation management taking the center stage. From a lifestyle perspective, a comprehensive program on carbohydrate intake sleep and hydration emerged as key components of effective recovery alongside advanced personalize strategies such as massage, compression therapy, and targeted supplements. We looked at recovery as an active process that is critical to optimizing performance, reducing injury risks, and supporting long-term health. 

Looking ahead to 2025, recovery strategies are expected to include cutting-edge science with nutrition and technology with wearable devices and AI- driven tools to monitor recovery efforts. Innovations in recovery supplements, including novel proteins and bioactive compounds, will further refine consumers’ approaches to performance and become part of the daily active nutrition regimen that we have all come to obsess over.

Check out the full recovery quarterly here.

Our second quarterly explored the relationship between cognitive health and sports performance, highlighting the growing recognition of mental fitness as a key factor in athletic wellness. This year we saw major strides in product innovation with clinically studied ingredients and crossover benefits such as focus, memory, mood, energy and attention for sports performance gaining traction. Leading the way were both legacy ingredients with new science and ingredients that have hit the market over the past few years. Some examples included omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, citicoline, and adaptogens such as Bacopa and Rhodiola reflecting the demand for clinically studied, multifunctional ingredients for innovative product development.

Looking ahead to 2025, the cognitive sports nutrition category is positioned for even more growth, more innovation, and the need for more science. New research, gender-specific insights – specifically targeted toward women’s stages of life, and innovative product launches are areas to watch as active users use a comprehensive approach to connect physical and mental wellness.

Check out the full Cognition quarterly here.

Our most recent quarterly focused on strength and moved beyond the traditional definitions of lifting heavy weights. We looked at a more holistic view that encompasses functional fitness, joint stability, and cognition. We then went one step further and looked at these areas from each life stage – building a foundation in youth, optimizing peak performance in early adulthood, and maintaining independence and quality of life in the later years. The quarterly highlighted research on the neurological adaptation in children, the hormonal influencers on peak muscles mass in young adults, and the critical role of resistance training in decreasing sarcopenia in the aging populations.

Looking ahead to 2025, strength will remain a central focus in active nutrition, with a lot of the attention on personalized approaches. Research into gender-specific needs, pediatric sports nutrition, and innovative ingredients will likely push us forward to see the next wave of innovative products. The emphasis on strength as a foundation for lifelong health and wellness won’t just shape how we train anymore but how we define and achieve optimal health across a person’s lifespan.

Check out the full strength quarterly here.

Move Nutrition Network remains committed to exploring trends and providing insights that inspire progress across the sports and active nutrition space. Recover, be mindful, and be the best version of yourself in 2025 – Cheers.