Earlier this year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) released the annual ACSM American Fitness Index® () data report. This report evaluates the 50 most populous city areas and identifies the healthiest and fittest places in the United States. For the first time, the metropolitan statistical area of Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington edged out previous leader …
From the Field with Dominique Ennis
Dominique Ennis, of UNC Asheville Campus Recreation, talks about the state of health and fitness in of Asheville, N.C. Ennis notes that there are many opportunities for physical activity in the Asheville area that are not measured within the data report. The opportunities include outdoor adventure pursuits, such as hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. …
From the Field with Katrina Hall
Katrina Hall talks about some of the hurdles to improving physical activity in Charlotte, N.C. Katrina discusses some programs affiliated with Presbyterian Healthcare aimed at helping people live healthier and fitter lives, including the Cancer Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. The metropolitan area of Charlotte ranked 34th in the 2010 data report.
From the Field with NiCole Keith, PhD, FACSM
NiCole Keith, PhD, FACSM, discusses the state of health and fitness in Indianapolis. Dr. Keith gives particular attention to the role of public transportation on health and fitness and a built environment that encourages physical activity. Indianapolis ranked 44th in the 2010 data report. Dr. Keith is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical …
From the Field with Dr. Chad Asplund
Chad Asplund, MD, FACSM, comments on the state of health and fitness in Columbus, OH. Dr. Asplund, a family physician and competitive cyclist, says the city is striving to be a more bike-friendly community. Columbus ranked 35th in the 2010 data report. As a physician, Asplund advises his patients that exercise is good medicine. Read …
From the Field with Stella Volpe, PhD, FACSM
Stella Volpe, PhD, FACSM, talks about the state of health and fitness in Philadelphia. Dr. Volpe says Philadelphia is not as active of a city as it could be. Philadelphia ranked 23d in the 2010 data report and has one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Dr. Volpe shares some findings from a …
From the Field with Dr. Roseann Lyle
In this edition of From the Field, Advisory Board Member Roseann Lyle, PhD, FACSM, comments on what makes the ACSM American Fitness Index data report a unique measure of health and community fitness. Dr. Lyle emphasizes the importance for communities to create an environment that makes it easier for people to make healthy choices. She also …
From the Field with Dot Fullwood
M. “Dot” Fullwood talks about the state of health and fitness in the San Francisco/Bay area, which ranked 8th in the 2010 ACSM American Fitness Index. Fullwood, a graduate student at the Health Equity Institute at San Francisco State University, touches on efforts to improve physical activity in the Bay area and the need to change perceptions …
From the Field with Sarah Pedersen
Sarah Pedersen talks about what makes Boston a physically active city in this episode of From the Field. Boston ranked 2nd in the 2010 ACSM American Fitness Index data report. Sarah also talks about some programs in near Tufts University aimed at improving health and community fitness. Sarah is a PhD student in International Nutrition …
From the Field with Dr. John Jakicic
In this interview, John Jakicic, PhD, FACSM, explains one of the goals of the ACSM American Fitness Index. Dr. Jakicic is a professor and chair of the Department of Health and Physical Activity at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a leading scholar in this area of physical activity and weight control. Dr. Jakicic also …
