Each year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recognizes outstanding scientific achievement by naming a “Paper of the Year” from each of its six scholarly journals. Selected by each journal’s editorial board, these distinguished papers represent the highest standard of research excellence—demonstrating rigorous methodology, meaningful scholarly contribution and measurable impact across the fields of sports medicine and exercise science. By honoring this work, ACSM underscores the vital role of evidence-based research in advancing knowledge, informing clinical practice and improving health and performance worldwide.
“ACSM’s ‘Paper of the Year’ selections for our suite of journals highlight groundbreaking discoveries, evolving sports medicine insights, scientific reviews, and practical health applications,” said John Quindry, PhD, FACSM, chair of ACSM’s Publications Committee. “Through the rigorous peer-review process of ACSM’s journals, these papers represent the pinnacle of excellence, reflecting both a highly selective publication process and a final vetting by our editorial boards of expert scientists and practitioners.”
The Papers of the Year published in 2025 are:
Journal: ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® | September/October 2025
- “Antifrail: Why Muscle (Power) Matters in Aging”
- Authors: Ashley Gluchowski and Stuart M. Phillips
Journal: Current Sports Medicine Reports | April 2025
- “Air Pollution and its Effects on Sports and Exercise: A Narrative Review of Impacts and Mitigation Strategies”
- Authors: Keifer P. Walsh, Peyton A. Tharp, Katherine Kiley, and Michael S. Koehle
Journal: Exercise, Sport, and Movement | Winter 2025
- “Benefits of After-School Sports: A Global Analysis of Pediatric Physical Health and Cognitive Function”
- Authors: Michelle Lim, Janis Gaudreau, and Nicole E. Logan
Journal: Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews | January 2025
- “Aerobic Exercise Training for the Aging Brain: Effective Dosing and Vascular Mechanism”
- Authors: Takashi Tarumi, Tsubasa Tomoro, Jun Sugawara, and Rong Zhang
Journal: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® | February 2025
- “The Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction”
- Authors: Lauren N. Erickson, Meredith K. Owen, Kelsey R. Casadonte, Tereza Janatova, Kathryn Lucas, Kylie Spencer, Benjamin D. Brightwell, Megan C. Graham, McKenzie S. White, Nicholas T. Thomas, Christine M. Latham, Cale A. Jacobs, Caitlin E. Conley, Katherine L. Thompson, Darren L. Johnson, Peter A. Hardy, Christopher S. Fry, and Brian Noehren
Journal: Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine | Summer 2025
- “A Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Supervised Exercise Therapy for Adults with Chronic Conditions in the United States”
- Authors: Paul J. Chase, Connor M. Owen, Amy Bantham, Mark Stoutenberg, Tiwaloluwa Ajibewa, Justin Barclay, Mu Huang, Jacob Kariuki, Grace McNamara, Lee Stoner, and Laurie P. Whitsel
The Papers of the Year will be recognized at the 2026 ACSM Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, during the session “ACSM Journals Symposium: Updates, Opportunities, and Papers of the Year” on Wednesday, May 27 at 3:15 p.m. MDT.