Science Spotlight | August 2026 Highlights
ACSM journal sites have been updated! The ACSM journal websites have a new look and features. You can now find issue highlights from the Editors-in-Chief and featured articles about journal websites, along with the latest information about journal initiatives, calls for papers, and more. Access to all the ACSM journals can be found here: ACSM Journals Congratulations to the ACSM journals for […]
Active Voice | With Resistance Training, Load is Only Half the Story
For decades, one question has dominated resistance-training research: How much weight should we lift? Many studies have compared heavy and light loads to identify the optimal stimulus for maximizing strength and muscle hypertrophy. These investigations have shaped coaching practice, informed resistance-training guidelines, and fueled one of the longest-running debates in exercise science. Yet this question […]
Hot Topic | Being Outside Makes You Feel Better
Nature as a therapeutic intervention is a practice that dates back centuries but has only recently gained empirical legitimacy. From Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) in Japan to green exercise initiatives in urban areas of the United States and Europe, nature-based approaches to health are gaining traction. Mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions, are […]
Science Spotlight | ACSM Publishes new Call to Action Statement
In July, ACSM published a new pronouncement titled, “Intentional Examination of the Social Determinants of Health in Clinical Practice and Research: An ACSM Call to Action Statement” in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine (TJACSM). The statement was chaired by Tamerah N. Hunt, PhD, ATC, FACSM, with additional members of the […]
Science Spotlight | July 2026 Highlights
ACSM hosts “Fighting Physical Education Decline” webinar July 21, 2026 Physical education requirements are increasingly deprioritized in pre-k through college level curriculum, contributing to a decline in movement and physical activity among younger generations. Join us for this foundational EIM-On Campus (EIM-OC) webinar as we explore the shared purpose that unites us as ACSM members […]
Active Voice | How and Why Does Acute Exercise Boost our Brain?
Our cognitive function, the vital mental processes that allow us to focus, reason, and make decisions, shapes how we navigate the world. For decades, scientists in fields like sports science have extensively investigated how a single bout of exercise improves cognitive function. Yet, the exact brain pathways behind these exercise-induced cognitive improvements have long remained […]
Science Spotlight | ACSM Releases New Expert Consensus Statement
ACSM is pleased to announce the publication of a new pronouncement, “Initial Exercise Guidelines for Children and Adolescents during and beyond Cancer Treatments: ACSM Expert Consensus Statement.” The paper is published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (MSSE) and was chaired by Alejandro Lucia, MD, PhD and authored by the expert writing group […]
Hot Topic | Autism and Exercise Participation
Exercise is one of the most effective tools for improving physical and mental health, yet autistic individuals remain one of the most underserved populations in physical activity settings. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes deficits in sensory and communication skills, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and/or activities. Despite the well-established benefits of […]
Science Spotlight | June 2026 Highlights
Application to serve on an ACSM Pronouncement Writing Group extended. The ACSM Pronouncement Committee is extending the application window until June 26, 2026 11:59 p.m. PT for ACSM members in good standing to serve as an author for a recently approved update to the previous “Nutrition and Athletic Performance” position stand. This update will be […]
Active Voice | Rethinking Cardiac Aging: Resistance Training is More Than a Muscle Intervention
For decades, we have told our patients, students, and colleagues that aerobic exercise is the cornerstone of cardiovascular health. Walking, running, cycling, and other endurance-based activities have long been viewed as the primary exercise strategies for protecting the aging heart. Resistance training, meanwhile, has largely been prescribed for different reasons—to increase muscle mass, improve strength, […]
