1.  What is your organization’s interest in the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA)?

ACSM is focused on advancing and integrating scientific research to promote physical activity and optimize health. With this mission in mind, ACSM has a strong interest and alignment with the OAAA through mutual efforts to promote a lifetime of safe physical activity by preventing and effectively managing osteoarthritis.

2.  What do you think is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis?

Understanding how to prevent osteoarthritis, which includes primary prevention of musculoskeletal injury and improving outcomes after initial joint injury.

3. How does your organization’s work connect to issues in osteoarthritis?

My work is directly focused on disseminating preventive training programs to youth athletes to prevent primary musculoskeletal injuries to optimize long-term joint health. We are working to improve dissemination and implementation strategies to change the culture of sport to include preventive training programs as a regular aspect of sport participation. We are also integrating these efforts into schools in order to encourage safe physical activity participation for all children.

4. What is a headline you’d like to see about osteoarthritis in five years?

The majority of high school athletes in the United States are performing preventive training programs to prevent primary joint injury

5. What is one interesting fact you’d like people to know about your organization?

ACSM takes a multidisciplinary approach to exercise science and sports medicine by incorporating views from exercise scientists, athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, and other professionals related to exercise and medicine.