NEWS RELEASE

April 14, 2004
For immediate release

Contact:
Christa Dickey
cdickey@acsm.org

ACSM PARTNERS WITH INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ACTIVE AGING

ORLANDO – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) today announced it has named the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the world's largest trade association for the senior fitness and wellness industry, as an official aging information partner.

"The educational partnership with the International Council on Active Aging will enhance ACSM’s already robust active aging activities," says James R. Whitehead, ACSM Executive Vice President. "We are pleased to partner with the ICAA because this organization consistently produces high-quality education, information, resources and tools for those who work with older adults," explains Whitehead. "We believe the ICAA will serve as a great resource to ACSM members who educate older adults about the benefits of active aging.” In turn, ACSM hopes to serve as a resource for ICAA members interested in the benefits of ACSM certification programs.

Colin Milner, chief executive officer of the ICAA, says the two organizations are natural partners because they work through their members to empower older adults to maintain their independence and dignity as they age.

"This partnership allows ICAA to reach a multidisciplinary, science and medicine based association with tools and resources unique to the ACSM community," said Milner. "ICAA and ACSM have the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of older Americans."

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ACTIVE AGING (ICAA)
The ICAA is the world largest association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. It connects a community of like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social.) The council supports these professionals with education, information, resources and tools, so they can achieve optimal success with this growing market. The ICAA also takes an active role in helping to change the way society perceives aging. The council is one of more than 50 of the nation's most prominent health and aging organizations working to implement the National Blueprint on Aging. Contributors to the Blueprint's development include AARP, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Geriatrics Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute on Aging and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

ACSM’s Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition is going on now at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld. For more information on the event, or to speak with staff in the on-site press office, please call 407-235-7247 (Wednesday, April 14 – Saturday, April 17).

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000 International, National and Regional members are 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.

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The American College of Sports Medicine gratefully acknowledges the following Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition sponsors: LifeFitness (Premier Sponsor), Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Gatorade, Reebok (Educational Partner), Amino Vital, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EAS, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, BSDI, and SPRI Products, Inc.