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Student Colloquium: The Future of Exercise Science and ACSM:
A Contemporary Perspective
In light of the 50th anniversary of the ACSM, last year’s
Student Colloquium panel included long-time members of the ACSM taking a
look back at their careers and experience in the field of exercise
science. This year, our focus is on the future of ACSM and our panel
includes some of the most recent professionals in our organization.
These speakers will be providing us with their insights into the future
of exercise science and the ACSM as well as answering any questions from
you, the students.
The speakers in the 2005 Student Colloquium include Douglas Casa,
Ph.D., ATC, Stephen Roth, Ph.D. and Scott Trappe, Ph.D. Dr. Casa is an
assistant professor in the Kinesiology Department at the University of
Connecticut where he is the program director of athletic training
education. Dr. Casa’s research interests include dehydration,
rehydration, exercise in the heat, exertional heat illnesses and the
influence of nutritional ergogenic aids on hydration states and
thermoregulation. “Twenty years ago, I suffered an exertional heat
stroke while running a 10K race on the track. That occurrence shaped
most of my actions since then and I am looking forward to sharing the
path that lead my career to my current position as an associate
professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of
Connecticut.”
Dr. Roth is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland and
performs extensive research in exercise physiology, aging and genetics.
His specific research focus is identifying the specific genetic
variation that contributes to skeletal mass and strength, specifically
within the contexts of aging and exercise training. During the
colloquium, Dr. Stephen Roth will highlight his path from an
undergraduate degree in exercise science at the Univ. of Montana to his
current research-intensive position in the Dept. of Kinesiology at the
Univ. of Maryland. He will discuss how technological advancements will
continue to push research into the molecular level in the exercise
sciences, and that such progress will make the ACSM’s mission to
integrate research into practice and educate the public even more
critical in the future.
Dr. Trappe is an associate professor and the director of the Human
Performance Laboratory at Ball State University. His research includes
skeletal muscle contractile function and structure at the whole muscle
and cellular level of the single fiber. Dr. Trappe is also interested in
the adaptation of individual muscle cells to a reduction of physical
activity during periods of disuse, specifically aging and
spaceflight.
The 2005 Student Colloquium will be held in Nashville on Wednesday
June 1 from 5:30-7:00pm. It is sure to be interesting, insightful and
motivating to all who attend.
How to Get the Most Out of the ACSM Annual Meeting: A
Student’s Perspective
I have attended about 3 scientific
meetings per year for the past 4 years and have benefited a great
deal. Although for the most
part the science is very informative, the majority of what I have
learned has not directly related to my field of study. For my first meeting, I had no
idea what to expect, so I packed my suitcase full of dress clothes and
my days full of symposia, lectures, and tutorials. By the end of each day I was
mentally exhausted and sat in my hotel room zoning out to
Sports Center. I did not attempt to network with other students or
meet professors whose research I had read. I was a passive
participant. Since that
first conference, I have learned how to better utilize the opportunities
available. Below I share with you some suggestions that apply to the
ACSM annual meeting as well as other scientific meetings.
- Present your work.
- Whenever possible, submit an abstract to present at the meeting. It
is the best way to get exposure and often times your department or
advisor will help defray expenses.
- Network.
- Approach fellow students and talk to them about their interests,
research, career goals and academic program. The poster sessions are a
great networking opportunity and a good icebreaker.All meetings have
special student oriented sessions such as the “Meet the
Expert” and “Student Colloquium” during the course of
the week.
- Introduce yourself to professors.
- Believe it or not, professors are as interested in you as you are in
them. They go to meetings to find their next grad student, post-doc, or
research assistant. You shouldn’t be intimidated to approach
them.It is not a bad idea to have business cards made up and/or bring
copies of your resume.
- Involve yourself.
- Go to special interest group, committee, and/or board meetings. Many
times these meetings are open to all and a student’s perspective
is greatly appreciated.
- Have fun.
- Most meetings, such as this years ACSM meeting, are in exciting
places so enjoy your surroundings.
ACSM Organizational Structure (click here to see
diagram; Word document)
Matthew C. Kostek, Ph.D.
Children's National Medical Center
With the 50th anniversary of the college recently reminiscent, this
series of articles written by members of the Student Affairs Committee
will highlight various aspects of The American College of Sports
Medicine. Though many members are involved in some capacity, few are
familiar with the organizational structure of the college.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is a diverse
organization that relies heavily on its membership (more than 20,000
international, national and regional members) for service in the various
aspects within this its organizational structure. Usually, members are
introduced to serving the college by volunteering to be part of a
committee. Committees conduct a large portion of the business of the
college and typically meet 1-2 times per year (the majority of whom meet
in conjunction with the ACSM annual meeting). Currently there are more
than 40 committees, most of which are considered ‘standing’
committees, which are permanent entities specifically outlined in the
ACSM constitution. This number also includes ad hocs, strategic health
initiatives and special task forces appointed for a limited time and a
specific purpose.
Committees are responsible for accomplishing specific functions as
stated to them through the ACSM constitution in addition to carrying out
specific charges periodically made by the President and/or the Board of
Trustees (BOT). Committee’s are comprised of a specific number of
members, a chairperson, and a staff liaison. The chair oversees and
coordinates committee meetings and activities with the assistance of the
staff liaison. The liaison (a full-time employee of ACSM) also serves as
a direct connection between the committee to resources and activities
performed at the ACSM National Center (including data collection, budget
preparation and meeting scheduling to name a few.) In order to maximize
communication, committee’s are grouped into ‘clusters’
based on their purpose. Each cluster is overseen by one of the four
elected vice presidents – who also serve on the BOT and present
the semi-annual committee reports during the BOT meetings. This
vice-presidential ‘high-level oversight’ is merely intended
to provide opportunity for strategic input through an advisory role,
while avoiding undue involvement.
Example of some standing committees:
Ethics and Professional Conduct
Publications
Certifications and Registry Boards
Health and Fitness Summit Program
International Relations
Membership
Student Affairs
Health and Science Policy
Strategic Health Initiative’s
The professionals who make up the BOT include: the four vice
presidents, current president, president-elect, immediate
past-president, second past-president, foundation president, treasurer,
student trustee, regional chapter trustee, a presidential appointee, and
18 other trustees. Members of the BOT are elected by all ACSM members.
The BOT meets two times per year (in-person) to conduct general
business, focus on strategic initiatives, and review updates on each
committee’s progress and goals. In addition, each trustee serves
specific functions throughout the year for the college and most oversee
or serve on one of the committees. To address some issues in a more
timely manner, the Administrative Council [made up of ACSM Presidents
(including: current president; president-elect; immediate
past-president) all vice presidents, treasurer, chair of strategic
planning committee and two of the eighteen trustees], perform routine
administrative issues and corporate functions without the entire BOT
meeting. All decisions made by the administrative council are subject to
review by the entire BOT. It is the BOT that dictates the direction of
the college by approving or making changes toward committee goals,
structure, specific assignments or any changes needed in the ACSM
constitution or mission.
The Exec Vice President serves as the connection between the staff of
ACSM and the BOT and is not an elected official. The ACSM staff is
divided into five administrative departments as shown in the figure. The
staff acts as the corner stone of the organization by carrying out the
major functions. Some of the major functions include publications and
editorial services, public information and media; meetings, accounting,
education, certification, and membership. Additionally, the staff in
Indianapolis performs the day-to-day administrative and operational
activities of the College. It is through this basic structure, which is
lead by volunteer members of the college, that the objectives of the
college are accomplished. More than 50 years ago now, a mere 14
individuals volunteered their time to start an organization with a
purpose in sports medicine. It is now, and will be for the next 50
years, reliant upon enthusiastic individuals devoting their time to the
goals of the college through some form of service that will maintain
ACSM’s position as the leading sports medicine organization in the
world.
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