ACSM Position Stands
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ACSM position stands

An ACSM Position Stand is an official pronouncement, developed using a specified evidence-based methodology, on significant societal issues that merit interdisciplinary consideration and consensus within the College. Joint Position Stands are similar to ACSM Position Stands, but are developed in concert with at least one other not-for-profit organization or governmental agency.

ACSM Position Stands, Joint Position Statements and Opinion Statements are published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®, the official journal of ACSM. Position Stands are official statements of ACSM on topics related to sports medicine and exercise science. All current ACSM Position Stands and Joint Position Statements are free to the public.

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ACSM Position Stands are also available in Chinese, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Read Translated Position Stands 
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Learn About ACSM's Evidence-based Position Stand Development

A position stand serves as the College’s most authoritative and influential, evidence-based statement on a topic of relevance to those in the fields of exercise science and sports medicine. 

Position Stands are developed using ACSM’s approved Evidence-based Protocol for Position Stand development. This includes development of PICOT questions, a systematic review of the literature, evaluation of individual studies for freedom from risk of bias, and grading the overall strength of evidence. The Evidence-based Protocol manual also details specifics related to composition of writing group, reporting of evidence and use of the MOSAIC platform. The goal is for the paper to take no longer than 18 months from approval to publication.

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Learn more about ACSM Position Stands

  • Purpose

  • How Topic is Identified

  • Protocol for Paper Development

  • Review and Approvals

  • Normally Published/Communicated