EWING, NJ June 17, 2021- An innovative article senior-authored by Dr. Avery Faigenbaum, Professor of Exercise Science in the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), won the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) 2020 Best Paper of the Year award.

“Making a Strong Case for Prioritizing Muscular Fitness in Youth Physical Activity Guidelines” was published in Current Sports Medicine Reports in December 2020. The article recognizes the shared importance of strength, skill and aerobic activities for girls and boys and challenges traditional exercise recommendations for today’s youth.

“Besides COVID-19, physical inactivity is another pandemic that has surged throughout the nation,” explains Dr. Faigenbaum. “In the exercise science field, we were well aware of increasing levels of physical inactivity before COVID-19. An unfortunate side effect of social distancing and remote learning is a reduction in daily physical activity in school-age youth that has led to an exacerbation of this societal challenge.”

Recommending a new pediatric activity pyramid for promoting ongoing participation in active play, exercise and sport activities, the article was co-authored by: James P. MacDonald, M.D., FACSM of Ohio State University College of Medicine; Andrea Stracciolini, M.D., FACSM, FAAP of Harvard Medical School; and Tamara Rial Rebullido, PhD of Tamara Rial Exercise & Women’s Health.

“Dr. Faigenbaum has spent his career advocating for youth health and fitness. He creates novel ways to excite today’s youth to engage in a wide range of movement activities, researches best practices for fitness improvement and engages medical professionals to fight youth inactivity,” says Department of Health and Exercise Science Chair and Professor Dr. Anne Farrell. “His vast contributions have changed the way the fields of exercise physiology, physical education and youth sports engage and train children in developmentally appropriate fitness.” 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science Dean Carole Kenner remarks, “One of the college’s best kept secrets is its highly esteemed faculty. Dr. Faigenbaum’s award-winning authorship is an example of how our scholars provide thought leadership in their fields.”

With chapter members from more than 80 countries worldwide, American College of Sports Medicine is a sports medicine and exercise science membership organization that promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science, and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes.

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