National Academy of Sports Medicine

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is a certification, research and fitness education organization that was founded in California in 1987. NASM develops continuing education for professional athletic trainers. The organization provides advanced degrees for certified health and fitness professionals and specialists, including personal trainers, physical therapists, sports medicine doctors and practitioners, chiropractors, massage therapists, general practitioners, nurses, dietitians, and nutritionists.

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NASM certifications require comprehensive knowledge of human movement science, functional anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, as well as functional assessment and program design. NASM also implements strength and conditioning recommendations for professional sports teams and individual athletes. NASM president and CEO Dr. Micheal Clark is a researcher, educator and author who also serves as the physical therapist for the Phoenix Suns and San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito.

In 2005, Dr. Clark was recognized by Men’s Health (magazine) as the the Top Visionary to Shape the Future of Fitness. Dr. Clark played an integral role, along with Phoenix Suns athletic trainer Aaron Nelson, in rehabilitating Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire back to full health after microfracture knee surgery in 2005 ^[1].

In aiding Stoudemire back to full health, Dr. Clark applied a logical and science-based approach to the rehabilitation using a system he developed called Optimum Performance Training, which is based on the understanding of how different parts of the body help or hinder each other. He focused on improving other areas of his body besides his knee and determined what caused the injury, so that he could fix the problem ^[2].

Dr. Clark, who specializes in stress training and identifying potential root injury problems before the injury itself, and NASM work with other NBA teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors ^[3].

In 2007, NASM teamed up with Nautilus to provide research and training support for new fitness products, and introduce new education programs for fitness professionals ^[4]. NASM, based in Calabasas, Calif., has a facility at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Ariz. where it conducts scientific research on new fitness equipment and develop programs for using Nautilus’ pipeline of new products. NASM also conducts scientific research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ^[5].

Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the NASM-CPT certification is the preferred choice for hire and career advancement by the top health clubs. NASM certifications provide sports professionals, club owners and fitness department managers with a comprehensive knowledge of human movement science, functional anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, as well as functional assessment and program design.

NASMs evidence-based health and fitness solutions include:

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification

• Educational training program and certification for personal trainers focusing on movement science, exercise science, nutrition and behavior modification. • CPT provides training in goal specific program design for optimal results, accurate assessment for everyone from first time gym members to high-level athletes, and teaching exercises in a safe and effective manner adaptable to any client.

Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) Advanced Specialization

• Allows a practitioner to create highly individualized and integrated training programs that enrich training and maximize athletic performance. • Training covers human movement science, athletic posture, nutrition, integrated training for athletic performance, core balance, speed and strength training. • PES is among the most respected advanced training available to athletic trainers on the high school, college and professional levels.

Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) Advanced Specialization

• Specialization that focuses on the ability to work with musculoskeletal impairments, imbalances or post-rehabilitation concerns leading to pain and fatigue. • CES is often used with athletes of all levels to ensure that repetitive motions do not become painful or dangerous.

Continuing & Higher Education

• NASM offers health and fitness professionals more than 20 home study courses to stay abreast of the latest industry trends. Course topics include: Corrective Exercise, Human Movement Science, Exercise Technique, Special Populations Training, and Training for Weight Management/

• NASM education is integrated into the curriculum of accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs offered by the California University of Pennsylvania the Arizona School of Health Sciences.

References

1. ^ East Valley Tribune, October 23, 2005 (www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/51333)
2. ^ *Ian Thomsen, “Forget Russell, Oden Will Have to Emulate Stoudemir,” Sports Illustrated.com, September 14, 2007
3. ^ SLAM magazine, June 2007
4. ^ Fitness Business News, April 2007 (www.fitnessbusinessnews.com/index.php?p=article&id=fb200704v99shP)
5. ^ East Valley Tribune, January 24, 2007 (ww.eastvalleytribune.com/story/82866)

Published Works

Clark, Micheal (2006). Optimum Performance Training: Basketball. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-9710286-2-1. 

See also

• Sports medicine
• Personal trainer
• Core muscle training
• Sports injuries
• Athletic trainer
• Phoenix Suns
• Amare Stoudemire
• Steve Nash
• Barry Zito
• Alicia Calaway
• Dean Starkey