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Member Organizations
Leadership Level Organizations
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Educational / Research Institutions
Leadership Level Organizations
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD is an alliance of five national associations and six district associations and is designed to provide members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills and so further the health and well-being of the American public.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. With more than two million volunteers nationwide, the American Cancer Society is one of the oldest and largest voluntary health agencies in the United States.
American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. ACSM has more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members. They promote and integrate scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective exercise and physical activity. ACE protects all segments of society against ineffective fitness products, programs and trends through its ongoing public education, outreach and research. They further protect the public by setting certification and continuing education standards for fitness professionals.
The American Heart Association (AHA) is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke." The AHA's goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010.
International Health, Racquet, & Sports Club Association
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association is the fitness industry's only global trade association. IHRSA represents over 9,750 for profit health and fitness facilities and over 740 supplier companies in 78 countries. For more than a quarter of a century, IHRSA has provided its member clubs and suppliers with an unprecedented wealth of information, research and networking to help with every aspect of running a profitable enterprise.
McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a global marketer of innovative nutritional products. The company's mission is to give people the ability to actively manage their own health. McNeil Nutritionals' major brands include SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener; SPLENDA® Sugar Blend for Baking; VIACTIV® Calcium Soft Chews; VIACTIV® Multi-Vitamins Soft Chews; LACTAID® Milk and Dietary Supplements and BENECOL® Spreads, Smart Chews and SoftGels.
The MEND Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to inspire children, families and adults to lead and sustain fitter, healthier and happier lives – with a focus on changing the behaviors that cause obesity. MEND stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it! and the MEND Program is the world’s largest evidence-based family weight management program delivered in community settings. Over 15,000 families in 5 countries have already benefited from participating in a MEND Program and in the US, MEND Programs are currently being offered in multiple US states and in partnership with local YMCA’s. MEND’s family-based, multi-component programs meet the recent recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force for the prevention and management of child obesity.
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Since 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has been a global leader in providing evidence-based certifications and advanced credentials to health and fitness professionals. In addition to its NCCA-accredited fitness Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification, NASM offers a progressive career track with access to Advanced Specializations, Continuing Education courses, and accredited Bachelor and Master Degree programs. The NASM educational continuum is designed to help today’s health and fitness professional enhance their career while empowering their clients to live healthier lives.
National Athletic Trainers' Association
The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession. Founded in 1950, the they have grown to more than 30,000 members worldwide today. NATA works to enhance the quality of health care provided by certified athletic trainers and to advance the athletic training profession.
National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is the nation's largest professional and citizen organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. NRPA's membership is comprised of more than 21,000 professionals, citizen advocates, educators and students from diverse backgrounds with the same passion for promoting healthy lifestyles and livable communities.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures.
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national not-for-profit, North American member-owned trade association representing the snow sports industry. SIA annually produces the SIA Snow Show, the largest snow sports industry trade show and networking environment globally, while delivering invaluable data/research, support, marketing products, government affairs representation, services and programs. SIA works collectively with all components of the snow sports industry; alpine, snowboard, AT, telemark, cross country, snowshoe, apparel and accessories companies, retailers, reps, resorts, regional and national associations and Buying Groups.
United States Tennis Association
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the recognized leader in promoting and developing the sport's growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open. USTA's membership numbers 700,000 members. They invest 100% of their proceeds toward the promotion and development of the growth of tennis.
The YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's 2,686 YMCAs. YMCAs respond to critical social needs by drawing on their collective strength as one of the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in the United States. They serve thousands of U.S. communities, uniting 21 million children and adults of all ages, races, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. Across the nation, YMCAs are committed to helping: children and youth deepen positive values, their commitment to service and their motivation to learn; families build stronger bonds, spend time together and become more engaged with their communities; individuals strengthen their spiritual, mental and physical well-being.
AARP is nonprofit and nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve their lives. AARP's mission is to enhance the quality of life for everyone as we age. They lead a positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service. AARP works to fulfill its vision which is a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose.
Action for Healthy Kids is a public-private partnership of more than 60 national organizations and government agencies representing education, health, fitness and nutrition. They address the epidemic of overweight, sedentary, and undernourished youth by focusing on changes in schools to improve nutrition and increase physical activity. Thousands of volunteer administrators, educators, health professionals, parents, and others take action at the state, district, and school building levels through Action for Healthy Kids' Teams in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
American Physical Therapy Association
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 72,000 members. Their goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. APTA is the principal membership organization representing and promoting the profession of physical therapy.
Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is a non-profit organization that provides youth football and cheer & dance programs for participants in 42 states and several countries around the world. Consisting of approximately 400,000 young people ranging from ages 5 to 16 years old, PWLS is the largest youth football, cheer and dance program in the United States. They are the only youth football, cheerleading & dance organization that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to participate.
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. By focusing on prevention, protection, and the communities, TFAH is fighting to make disease prevention a national priority.
United States Masters Swimming
U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS), founded in 1970, is a membership-operated non-profit that promotes adult health, fitness, wellness and competition through aquatics. It does so by partnering with more than 1,000 adult swim clubs across the country that offer swim/fitness programs, promoting information via a bi-monthly member magazine, and sanctioning and promoting pool, open water and virtual competitions. More than 50,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.
The Women's Sports Foundation is the leading authority on the participation of women and girls in sports and advocates for equality, educates the public, conducts research and offers grants to promote sports and physical activity for girls and women. Their goal is to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The Foundation works for equal opportunity for our daughters to play sports so they can derive the psychological, physiological and sociological benefits of sports participation.
State Non-profit Organizations
California Park and Recreation Society
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA)
Educational / Research Institutions
The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
National Institutes of Health