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PUBLIC
RESOURCES from ACSM
Advancing Health Through Science,
Education and Medicine
ABOUT ACSM
ACSM is devoted to public awareness and education about the benefits of
physical activity for people of all ages, from all occupations. The physicians, researchers and educators of the
College have created tools for the general public and for special
audiences. These resources include:
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Brochures offering
tips on fitness and exercise, consumer product recommendations, and
more. Many are available for free download as PDF files.
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Current
Comments on topics relating to sports medicine and
exercise science, aimed for a general audience.
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Position Stands based on
definitive research and scientific data, serving as official statements
from ACSM. Position Stands are first published in ACSM's official
journal, Medicine
& Science in Sports & Exercise®. They are a valuable
resource for professional organizations, public agencies, clinicians and
researchers.
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ACSM's Fit
Society® Page, a quarterly newsletter with information on
health and fitness, exercise, nutrition and more. Download it free as a
PDF file.
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ACSM's
Degree Guide, a free, online resource highlighting graduate and undergraduate
programs at leading institutions. Prospective students may search institutions by location
or concentration.
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ProFinder, a free service where you can search for
professionals who have achieved the "Gold Standard" in
credentialing.
Health and
Fitness Information NEW!
Register to receive health
and fitness information from ACSM.
NEW: Active
Commuting
Kids urged to walk, bike or skate to school
Learn
more about active commuting
Download and
Print this Poster!
YOUTH
FOOTBALL/HEAT RISK GUIDELINES
The published guidelines, Youth
Football: Heat Stress and Injury Risk, are based on recommendations
from a national panel of experts who examined hydration, environment,
and other factors which cause players to overheat. The
recommendations are designed for coaches, parents, and players to follow
during preseason football practices.
Starting an
Exercise Program
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LINKS TO FITNESS INITIATIVES
(Check back often for new links!)
Youth Fitness
ACSM's Youth
Resource Center contains a wealth of helpful information for
young athletes, parents and coaches.
We
Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is a
national program designed as a one-stop resource for parents and
caregivers interested in practical tools to help children 8-13 years old
stay at a healthy weight.
Action for Healthy
Kids addresses the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and
sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school.
Fitness for Seniors
ACSM's Active Aging Partnership has established
The National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Age 50
and Older.
The International Council on Active
Aging site lists numerous tools, including
the e-newsletter HealthWord.
The National Institute on Aging offers a
number of resources for Healthy Aging. Available online or by
calling 1-800-222-2225.
Other Fitness Resources
The Female
Athlete Triad Coalition represents key medical, nursing, athletic,
and sports medicine groups, as well as concerned individuals dedicated
to address unhealthy eating behaviors, hormonal irregularities, and bone
health among female athletes and active women.
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and
Sports serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical
activity, fitness, and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and
abilities.
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STARTING an EXERCISE PROGRAM
Most people can and should exercise. However, there are
individuals who should get their doctor's permission prior to beginning
an exercise program. Anyone with an unstable medical condition will want
to seek an exercise prescription from their doctor. Injury may also
require an individual to wait for the healing to be complete prior to
beginning exercise. If you have cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic
disease, you should begin your exercise in a medically supervised
environment.
start slowly - listen to your body and your
doctor...
For moderate endurance exercise, simply walk a little further
each time you exercise and gradually increase the pace of your walks as
the weeks pass. For strength exercise, lift a weight that you usually
lift but do it more times than normal. Before beginning an aggressive
exercise program, you should see your doctor or an exercise professional
for screening tests and program advice.
the biggest risk to exercise is not
starting...
You should consider several factors when choosing an aerobic
activity for your personal fitness program.
impact
Some activities involve jumping or pounding that may be uncomfortable or
can lead to injury. Swimming, cross country skiing, in-line skating,
cycling, and rowing are easier on the joints.
convenience
Some aerobic activities require expensive equipment, are
seasonal, or are not readily available in certain locations.
skill
Activities that require a lot of skill may discourage you. Try to avoid
activities that do not fit with your skill base, and don't quit before
you've developed the skills you need for the activity to become
enjoyable.
social factor
Exercising with a group can be fun and beneficial. Sometimes
exercising with other people is such fun that you're more likely to
continue your fitness program. For safety reasons, some aerobic
activities are best done with a group - From the ACSM Fitness Book
(Third Edition), published by Human Kinetics.
a word of advice
You should always be able to catch your breath and speak comfortably
while exercising. It is also normal to sense effort, and maybe even
discomfort, but you should never sense pain. Learn to use a Rating of
Perceived Exertion Scale.* Always remember to warm up slowly and to cool
down gradually. If you use a trainer, be sure to check credentials. The
exercise industry is not well regulated, so be sure to ask questions and
seek ACSM certified individuals.
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Related Files
Youth Football Poster (Adobe PDF File)
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