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.

Membership

ACSM membership is offered in four categories:

Regional chapters

ACSM has 12 regional chapters throughout the United States:

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.

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:

Certifications

ACSM offers four different certifications for fitness and clinical exercise professionals, and a number of credential and specialty certificate programs.

Foundation

The American College of Sports Medicine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with and developed to support the American College of Sports Medicine, Inc. Each year the ACSM Foundation awards more than $100,000 in research awards and scholarships.