EIM for Exercise Professionals

Qualified exercise professionals are integral to Exercise is Medicine®. Health care providers must be able to expand their reach of care and refer patients for exercise guidance by qualified exercise professionals or allied health care staff.

Potential patients needs can include (but are not limited to):

  • Clinical guidance and monitoring provided via cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation programs
  • Treatment and individualized exercise for musculoskeletal or neuromuscular conditions prior to engaging in a broader physical activity program
  • Community-based solutions (professionals, places, programs) where they can be physically active and receive expert training

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ACSM Exercise is Medicine Credential®

Exercise professionals who hold the Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) Credential showcase their ability to help individuals with common chronic medical conditions adopt and maintain an active lifestyle. The EIM Credential signifies that an exercise professional has met important educational requirements, is part of the EIM initiative and is prepared to collaborate with members of the health care community to improve referred patients’ health outcomes.

Continuing Education

ACSM’s online learning platform has MANY courses focused on Exercise is Medicine. Expand your readiness to support clients while earning continuing education credits (CECs)!

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Support for the Exercise is Medicine® Initiative is provided by:

GSSI Pre-Conference

The Physiology of Hydration: More Than Water Alone

This session explores the physiology of hydration through an integrated lens—examining how carbohydrate, sodium, flavor, and fluid interact to influence intake, absorption, retention, and performance. We’ll review current research on fluid balance, osmotic drivers, and palatability, highlighting mechanisms that underpin voluntary intake and thermoregulation. Attendees will gain insight into individualized strategies, including sweat profiling and timing approaches, to optimize euhydration and mitigate performance decrements associated with >2% body-mass loss. Practical applications will be linked to laboratory- and field-based research, ensuring translation from bench to field. This pre-conference equips you with evidence-based tools to support athlete hydration across diverse environments and sporting contexts. 

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  • Session 1: Sweating the detail: New insights on hydration considerations for athlete performance
    • Lewis James, PhD, Associate Professor in Human Nutrition in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University
  • Session 2: Functional ingredients in fluid replacement beverages for athletes
    • Lindsay Baker, PhD, Director at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute
  • Session 3: The hydration toolkit: Practical approaches to athlete support
    • Floris Wardenaar, PhD, Associate Professor at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University