From eligibility to performance: the 7th congress on elite athlete management held in Parma

Research, clinical practice and nutrition at the core of the event organized by Pharmanutra and Parma Calcio 1913

On April 17, 2026, the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma hosted the 7th Scientific Congress organized by Pharmanutra in collaboration with the medical staff of Parma Calcio 1913, titled “From Eligibility to Performance: Pathways for Athletic Enablement in Elite Athletes.”
The event once again confirmed its role as a key platform for discussion among sports medicine professionals, clinical specialists and performance experts, focusing on a topic of growing relevance: the integrated management of elite athletes, from initial clinical assessment to the achievement of optimal functional performance.

A multidisciplinary approach to athlete health

The congress brought together experts from multiple disciplines – cardiology, orthopedics, radiology, nutrition and sports science – offering a comprehensive perspective on athlete evaluation and performance pathways.

A central theme of the discussions was the pre-signing medical assessment, a critical phase in professional sports that includes clinical examination, laboratory testing and advanced diagnostic tools. This complex process requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to support increasingly precise clinical decision-making.
Key topics included:

• cardiovascular evaluation and sports eligibility
• the role of cardiac imaging in clinical decision-making
• orthopedic assessment and injury risk evaluation
• the importance of diagnostic imaging in athlete management

From diagnosis to performance: the role of nutrition

A significant part of the congress focused on the role of targeted nutritional support as a strategic component throughout the athlete’s journey, from initial assessment to peak performance.
In particular, the following aspects were explored:

• the use of advanced tools such as bioimpedance analysis for body composition assessment
• personalized nutritional strategies
• the role of cetylated fatty acids (CFAs) and Cetilar® solutions

Pharmanutra’s scientific contribution highlighted how targeted supplementation can play a key role in optimizing recovery, joint function and overall athletic performance.

A long-standing collaboration between science and professional sport

The Parma event is part of a well-established scientific program developed over the years through the collaboration between Pharmanutra and Parma Calcio 1913, aimed at promoting knowledge and innovation in athlete health. A format that continues to evolve while maintaining a clear objective: to foster dialogue between scientific research and clinical practice, contributing to the development of increasingly advanced models for elite athlete management.

“The success of this seventh edition confirms the value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, where innovation, clinical expertise and scientific research converge to support athlete health and performance. Pharmanutra remains committed to advancing medical-scientific knowledge and developing increasingly innovative nutraceutical solutions to meet the evolving needs of sports medicine”, commented Germano Tarantino, Chief Scientific Officer of Pharmanutra.