Harnessing the Expertise of Exercise Professionals to Move the Needle on Blood Pressure Controlancer Treatment
High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is the most common costly but modifiable major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality, affecting nearly half (47%) of the U.S. adult population. A recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) reinforces physical activity as a critical component of first-line treatment for individuals with mild- to […]
Waste No Time: A standardized approach to the collapsed athlete
As emergency medicine and sports medicine physicians, we have advocated for all sideline providers to not just be basic life support (BLS) certified but consistently prepare themselves mentally to manage the complex and emotionally charged scene of the collapsed athlete. All sports medicine providers and sideline personnel should reflect on the event that unfolded on […]
Staying Ready: A Real-World AED Response
You never know when you’ll need to use your emergency training. That’s what ACSM member and Noblesville, Indiana, Orangetheory Fitness Head Coach Tony Maloney was reminded of in late October when a patron visiting from out of state collapsed suddenly in a mid-morning strength class. Maloney had just finished the five-minute warm-up and started the […]
AED Poster
Use this helpful poster to advertise the location of your AED.
Are You Prepared for a Cardiac Emergency?
The benefits of physical activity, even at low levels, far outweigh the cardiovascular risks for most people. But Murphy’s Law is always peering around the corner — what if the worst happens? We need to have a plan in place. Fortunately, ACSM’s consensus statement on the topic provides fitness professionals with important background information and a number […]
Cardiac Adaptation to Endurance and Resistance Training
In our Studies of Twin Responses to Understand Exercise THerapy (STRUETH) trial, we recruited monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs and supervised them through three months of endurance training and three months of resistance exercise training. Each twin pair exercised together, at matched exercise prescriptions, and all subjects undertook both forms of exercise. We measured many […]
Reconsidering the Importance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Early Adulthood
Cardiorespiratory fitness reflects integration of several body systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. It helps optimize heart health and is an important predictor of adverse health outcomes, including premature death, heart attack and heart disease. Indeed, the American Heart Association suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness should be measured as a vital sign during a doctor’s visit. […]
Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Are Associated with Cardiac Fat
Obesity is a primary etiology of many adverse health outcomes. The body has two primary types of fat tissue: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the adipose tissue that lies below the surface of the skin, whereas visceral fat is the adipose tissue that lines the internal organs. Visceral fat, compared to subcutaneous […]
ACSM-AMSSM Call to Action: Adapting Preparticipation Cardiovascular Screening to the COVID-19 Pandemic
(INDIANAPOLIS) — A joint paper of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) has published in the May issue of ASCM’s clinician focused journal, Current Sports Medicine Reports. This call-to-action document indicates that preparticipation cardiovascular screening (PPCS) is recommended by all major professional organizations overseeing the clinical care […]
Mental Health and Heart Rate Variability
Two hot topics for athletes (and anyone interested in feeling/performing their best) right now are mental health and heart rate variability. For mental health awareness month, let’s talk about both! Mental performance and mental health exist on a continuum, and there’s frequent discussion in the world of sport psychology about distinctions, but one’s performance can impact […]
