ACSM Announces Nation’s Fittest Cities; Food Insecurity, Wildfires and Pickleball Emerge as Factors
American Fitness Index ranks 100 largest cities based on 35 indicators Despite a significant increase in Americans’ aerobic and strength activity, external factors like smoke-filled air and the lapse of a Covid-era food program may be making us less fit overall. Those are the primary conclusions from the 18th annual ACSM American Fitness Index® (Fitness […]
2025 ACSM American Fitness Index Infographic
View the top 10 cities and learn about the new indicators from the 2025 American Fitness Index rankings.
Trail Miles, Splashpads, and Pickleball – Oh My! A Closer Look at What’s New in the Fitness Index Report
The 2025 ACSM American Fitness Index has added new indicators: trail miles, splashpads, and pickleball and dual-use courts.
The Power of Policy: How effective policies can encourage physical activity and create healthier communities
Policy can encourage physical activity across all levels. Three keys areas for policy application are public spaces, transportation and school-based physical education.
A Quick Guide to Advocacy
Want to make a difference in your community? Four tips to get yourself started in participating in local advocacy.
Sit Less, Move More, and Exercise: The Reasons Why
You can’t out-run a sedentary lifestyle. New research shows that light-intensity physical activity is an important part of your routine for health.
Up in the Air: Air Quality and the 2028 Olympic Games in LA
With the 2028 summer Olympic and Paralympic Games heading to Los Angeles, there’s a big question hovering over everyone’s head: what about all the smog? According to the American Fitness Index, a partnership between the American College of Sports Medicine® (ACSM) and the Elevance Health Foundation that has been tracking health behaviors and outcomes in America’s […]
What Can I Do to Improve Pedestrian Safety in My Community?
Pedestrian deaths in the United States are declining, but there is still a long way to go to protect the safety of those who are walking, rolling and cycling in American cities. In 2023, 7,318 pedestrian fatalities occurred in the U.S., a 5.4% decrease from 2022, which saw the highest number of pedestrian deaths in […]
Capital Region Leads Nation’s Fittest Cities in 2024 ACSM American Fitness Index® Ranking
Health of Americans Dips Due to Mental Health, Physical Well-being and Lack of Sleep Arlington, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington, are the top cities in the 17th annual ACSM American Fitness Index® (Fitness Index) rankings published by the American College of Sports Medicine® (ACSM) and the Elevance Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Elevance […]
Women’s Heart Health: Key Resources
Did you know heart disease is the #1 killer of women, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined? High blood pressure accounts for one in five deaths among women in the U.S. and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While these statistics might surprise you, February as American Heart Health month […]