American College of Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. Founded in 1954, ACSM has more than 20,000 international, national and regional members working in a wide range of medical specialties, allied health professions and scientific disciplines. ACSM is dedicated to promoting and integrating scientific research, education and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.

Surgeon's General Report on Physical Activity

Funded via a cooperative agreement through CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention, ACSM began working closely with CDC prior to the launch of the first Surgeon's General Report on Physical Activity in 1995 to revise the guidelines.

In 2007, ACSM and the American Heart Association jointly published updated physical activity guidelines. The recommendations are an update and clarification of the 1995 recommendation from CDC and ACSM on the types and amounts of physical activity needed by healthy adults to improve and maintain health. The intent is to provide a more comprehensive and explicit public health recommendation for adults based upon available evidence of the health benefits of physical activity.

The core recommendation remains fundamentally unchanged despite more than 10 years having passed since it was issued. New science has been evaluated to understand the biological mechanisms by which physical activity provides health benefits and the physical activity profile (type, intensity and amount) that is associated with enhanced health and quality of life. The publication reflects a review of that evidence, and considers key issues not fully clarified in the original recommendation.

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines

The 2008 HHS federal government physical activity guidelines state that adults gain substantial health benefits from two-and-a-half hours a week of moderate aerobic physical activity, and children benefit from an hour or more of physical activity a day. The 2008 Government Physical Activity Guidelines are downloadable by visiting http://health.gov/PAGuidelines/.

Last year, both ACSM and the American Heart Association pledged their support of the new HHS guidelines and are actively promoting them.

ACSM Media Program

The ACSM Media Program serves the College's goal of "advancing health through science, education and medicine."

1. The ACSM Media Referral Network connects journalists and producers with expert sources on health, fitness and a variety of sports medicine specialties.
2. ACSM promotes public awareness of the benefits of physical activity for all people. Resources include brochures, Current Comments and Position Stands.
3. The ACSM Fit Society® Page is a quarterly e-newsletter with information on health and fitness, exercise, nutrition and more.

To find out more about the ACSM Media Program, as well as other ACSM activities, visit ACSM online.