The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a sports medicine and exercise science membership organization. Founded in 1954, ACSM holds conferences, publishes books and journals, and offers certification programs for personal trainers and exercise physiologists.
History
The American College of Sports Medicine was founded in 1954 as the "Federation of Sports Medicine" in New York City at the Hotel Statler on April 22, as part of the afternoon program of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (AAHPER). The following year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) was officially incorporated, and 11 individuals were designated as founders. This group was composed of seven men and one woman with careers in physical education, as well as three physicians. The physical educators were Clifford Brownell, Ph.D. Ernst Jok, M.D., Peter Karpovich, M.D., Leonard Larson, Ph.D. Grover Mueller, M.S., Neils Neilson, Ph.D, Josephine Rathbone, Ph.D. and Arthur Steinhaus, Ph.D. Although they had training in physical education or were employed in departments of physical education, Jokl, Larson, Karpovich, and Steinhaus were primarily involved in research dealing with the physiology of exercise. The physicians were Louis Bishop, M.D., Albert Hyman, M.D., and Joseph Wolffe, M.D. All three were practicing cardiologists.
The ACSM national headquarters moved to Indianapolis in 1984, joining organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Federation of State High School Associations, and national sport-specific governing bodies.
Leadership
The current ACSM elected offices are held by:
President: Anastasia Fischer, M.D., FACSM
President-Elect: Irene Davis, PhD., P.T. FACSM, FATPA, FASB
Immediate Past-President: L. Bruce Gladden, Ph.D., FACSM
First Vice Presidents: William Farquhar, Ph.D., FACSM and Wendy Kohrt, Ph.D., FACSM Second Vice Presidents: Laura Rogers, M.D., M.P.H., FACSM, FACP and Nailah Coleman, M.D., FACSM, FAAP Treasurer: Mindy Millard-Stafford, Ph.D., FACSM
Membership
ACSM membership is offered in four categories: Alliance of Health Fitness Professionals Professional Professional-in-Training Students
Regional chapters
ACSM has 12 regional chapters throughout the United States:
Alaska ACSM Regional Chapter
Central States ACSM Regional Chapter
Greater New York ACSM Regional Chapter
Mid-Atlantic ACSM Regional Chapter
Midwest ACSM Regional Chapter
New England ACSM Regional Chapter
Northland ACSM Regional Chapter
Northwest ACSM Regional Chapter
Rocky Mountain ACSM Regional Chapter
Southeast ACSM Regional Chapter
Southwest ACSM Regional Chapter
Texas ACSM Regional Chapter
Journals, books and publications
The American College of Sports Medicine publishing program includes six journals, several books and various multimedia resources.
Journals
ACSM's six leading scholarly journals include research, clinical reports and health-and-fitness information. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews Current Sports Medicine Reports ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise, Sport, and Movement
Books
ACSM publishes several books and multimedia resources.
ACSM is best known for ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, first published in 1975.
Some of ACSM's most popular titles include: ACSM's Clinical Exercise Physiology ACSM's Complete Guide to Fitness and Health ACSM's Health/Fitness Facility Standards and Guidelines ACSM's Introduction to Exercise Science ACSM's Nutrition for Exercise Science ACSM's Resources for the Exercise Physiologist ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer ACSM's Foundations of Strength Training and Conditioning
Certifications
ACSM offers four different certifications for fitness and clinical exercise professionals, and a number of credential and specialty certificate programs.