Resources

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
AFAA is the world's largest fitness and TeleFitness educator. Since 1983, AFAA has issued over 250,000 certifications to fitness professionals from more than 73 countries around the world. Each year, health clubs and studios host over 2,500 educational workshops across the nation. AFAA provides a comprehensive written and practical examination accredited by Vital Research. AFAA is proud to be granted affiliate status with the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) and is a member of the National Organization of Competency Assurance (NOCA).

American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine puts into practice its strategic efforts to advancing the health of all. As the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, ACSM has more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members. Working in a wide range of medical specialties, allied health professions, and scientific disciplines, our members are committed to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries and the advancement of the science of exercise. ACSM continues to look for and find better methods to allow individuals to live longer and more productive lives. Healthy people make a healthier society.

American Council on Exercise
The American Council on Exercise is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective exercise and physical activity. As America's Authority on Fitness, ACE protects all segments of society against ineffective fitness products, programs and trends through its ongoing public education, outreach and research. ACE further protects the public by setting certification and continuing education standards for fitness professionals.

American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by diabetes. They fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes, deliver services to hundreds of communities, provide objective and credible information and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.

American Dietetic Association
The American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. The ADA's mission statement is to empower members to be the nation's food and nutrition leaders. Their vision is to optimize the nation's health through food and nutrition

American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke." The association's impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. Progress toward the goal will be measured by 1) reducing the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke by 25 percent, 2) reduce the prevalence of smoking, high blood cholesterol and physical inactivity by 25 percent, 3) reduce the rate of uncontrolled high blood pressure by 25 percent, and 4) eliminate the growth of obesity and diabetes.

Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps people take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.

IDEA Health & Fitness Association
IDEA was created as a way to help fitness instructors gain access to reliable professional information. It started by sending the first IDEA Letter to a membership of 300, and later the IDEA Foundation was created (now the American Council on Exercise, or ACE) to offer the industry's first certification. In addition, IDEA introduced the industry's first Code of Ethics and the first awards to recognize professional excellence in the fitness field. Now IDEA Health & Fitness Association has more than 136,000 members and subscribers in over 80 countries. IDEA's original newsletter has grown into IDEA Fitness Journal, the most respected publication for fitness professionals.

National Strength and Conditioning Association
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is an international nonprofit educational association founded in 1978. Evolving from a membership of 76, the association now serves nearly 30,000 members in 52 countries. Drawing upon its vast network of members, the NSCA develops and presents the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, injury prevention, and research findings. Unlike any other organization, the NSCA brings together a diverse group of professionals from the sport science, athletic, allied health, and fitness industries. Central to its mission, the NSCA provides a bridge between the scientist in the laboratory and the practitioner in the field.

Nutrition.gov
Nutrition.gov provides easy access to the best food and nutrition information from across the federal government. It serves as a gateway to reliable information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety for consumers. Providing science-based dietary guidance is critical to enhance the public's ability to make healthy choices in the effort to reduce obesity and other food related diseases. Since dietary needs change throughout the lifespan, specialized nutrition information is provided about infants, children, teens, adult women and men, and seniors.

The Cooper Institute
The Cooper Institute is dedicated to scientific research in the field of preventive medicine and public health and communicating the results of research to the scientific and medical communities as well as to the general public. The Institute conducts research in epidemiology, exercise physiology, behavior change, hypertension, children's health issues, obesity, nutrition, aging, and other health issues. Papers from The Cooper Institute are among the most frequently cited references in the scientific literature on topics related to physical fitness, physical activity, and health.

United States Department of Agriculture
The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. The USDA desires to be recognized as a dynamic organization that is able to efficiently provide the integrated program delivery needed to lead a rapidly evolving food and agriculture system.