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Monthly Member Spotlight: The American Council on Exercise

Monthly Member Spotlight: The American Council on Exercise

Movement is vital to a healthy and fulfilling life. Physical activities such as walking, biking, and water aerobics can help ease joint pain for those affected by osteoarthritis. That’s why this month, we’re excited to spotlight the American Council on Exercise (ACE). ACE aims to get people moving towards better health and towards a better quality of life.

 

We would like to thank ACE for their ongoing participation in the OAAA. ACE has helped us identify strategies for reaching community and professional organizations with educational resources and tools. Together, we have created a multi-part infographic on the benefits and barriers to physical activity for adults with arthritis. This infographic is based off of The Physical Activity Implementation Guide with efforts to encourage partnerships to implement environmental and policy strategies to make regular physical activity institutionalized and sustainable. We are also extremely grateful for ACE’s generosity in the ongoing support of our mini-grant program by recognizing the importance of community-based physical activity to help people with arthritis.

An Interview with Cedric Bryant and The American Council on Exercise

Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM, ACE Chief Science Officer 

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

The OAAA’s commitment to providing individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), their families, friends, and caregivers the strategies, tools, and resources to optimize quality of life strongly aligns with the ACE’s mission to get people moving (www.ACEfitness.org). We are resolutely committed to helping people of all demographics and physical ability levels move toward adopting more active and healthier lifestyles. The development and launch of the OA Physical Activity Implementation Guide is an excellent example the beneficial outcomes of the terrific collaboration between OAAA, ACE, and many other fine organizational partners.

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

Engaging, educating, and empowering the diverse array of stakeholders (e.g., individuals with OA, caregivers, healthcare providers, policymakers, insurers, exercise and wellness professionals, allied health professionals, and community advocates) regarding effective prevention and management strategies for OA.

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

ACE has incorporated content on OA in the education and training materials for its four primary certification programs (Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Certified Medical Exercise Specialist). We’ve also developed specific continuing education courseware focused on OA that exercise professionals, health coaches, and allied health professionals can use for professional development. Our website features a number of articles, blogs, and other resources that consumers can easily access. In addition, ACE is a key supporter of a collaborative initiative, called UFIT (www.justdoufit.com), that is committed to helping health and fitness facilities become more inclusive and welcoming to individuals with physical challenges. Finally, our Health Coaching primary certification and Behavior Change specialty certification provide professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to help individuals make the important lifestyle behavior changes that are often required to effectively manage a chronic medical condition like OA.

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

Osteoarthritis sufferers experience unprecedented improvements in quality of life through the adoption of healthy lifestyle behavioral changes.

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

ACE is a non-profit organization, established in 1985, that has 80,000 certified professionals who help us fulfill our mission. Last year, our certified professionals impacted more than an estimated 40 million lives.

ACE Fitness

Resources & Events

Certified

Certified™ is a free online monthly publication from the American Council on Exercise that features ACE-sponsored research and original articles designed to equip health and exercise professionals with the knowledge they need to continue growing in their careers.

ACE convened the PfA Task Force because studies show that advice from health professionals can significantly influence the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors, including regular physical activity. The PfA Task Force is pursuing a multi-decade plan to mobilize healthcare, working in concert with the communities it serves, to help vastly more people achieve the physical-activity levels recommended by the U.S. government.​

And make sure to connect with ACE Fitness on Social Media!

 

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The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) is supported, in part, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Thurston Arthritis Research Center (TARC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the lead agency. Contents are solely the responsibility of the OAAA or TARC. 

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