From the Editor

Abstract

Happy New Year! I sincerely hope you have enjoyed some relaxing and special times throughout the holiday season and enter 2016 optimistic and eager for the opportunities that lie ahead. As I begin my journey as editor-in-chief, I would like to recognize the numerous professionals who have provided exceptional service to the Journal, welcome those coming on board, and, finally, briefly comment on this issue’s outstanding content. First, I would like to give a special thank you to Steven J. Keteyian, Ph.D., FACSM, for the exceptional leadership he has provided to the Journal during the past 4 years. Dr. Keteyian’s incredible attention to detail, editorial skills, and scientific insight have continued to advance the scope and quality of the Journal that was established so elegantly by his predecessors, Lawrence A. Golding, Ph.D., FACSM, and Edward T. Howley, Ph.D., FACSM. Steven’s enthusiasm and passion for the Journal have molded it into the premier source of high-quality, evidence-based, practical information for health and fitness professionals. I also say a special “thank you” to our outgoing editorial board members Celine R. Neefkes- Zonneveld, CES, and Michael Richmond for their outstanding service to the Journal. I want to give a warm welcome to our new editorial board members: Christopher G. Berger, Ph.D., ACSM-HFS; Bryan J. Blissmer, Ph.D.; Steven J. Keteyian, Ph.D., FACSM; and David Verrill, M.S., RCEP, CES. With regard to what lies ahead for the Journal, we will continue to progress the depth, quality, and timeliness of our articles to support the fitness and clinical professionals who are so key to the health and well-being of our populace. I would like to welcome three new associate editors to the Journal. Grace T. DeSimone is assuming the associate editor responsibilities for the Fitness Focus column that I have had the privilege of authoring for the past 4 years. I also would like to welcome new associate editors Janet Buckworth, Ph.D., FACSM, and Peter Ronai, M.S., FACSM; both will be writing new columns for the Journal that will launch in the March/April issue. Dr. Buckworth’s Enhancing Your Behavioral Toolkit column will address the critically important topic of behavior change and provide a wealth of practical and timely information. Mr. Ronai will be writing a column titled Do It Right that will focus on the appropriate technique for performing specific resistance training exercises. Looking inside this issue of the Journal, I’d like to draw your attention to three outstanding feature articles. Our first feature article “Reading Research 101,” by Robert C. Hendrick, Ph.D., and Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, is a timely primer on how to read, analyze, interpret, and apply research findings in your practice setting. The second article, by Janet S. Hamilton, M.A., RCEP, CSCS, and Paul Sorace, M.S., FACSM, provides important recommendations regarding how to train safely and effectively for a first marathon. The authors discuss how to build an appropriate base, sharpen for race day, and adequately taper to arrive at the starting line on race day healthy and prepared. Our third feature, “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles During the Menopausal Transition: Benefits of Physical Activity and Nutrition” by Kathleen Woolf, Ph.D., R.D., FACSM; Barbara A. Bushman, Ph.D., FACSM; Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Ph.D., FACSM; and Susan Carter, M.D., FACSM, focuses on the menopausal period and the importance of nutrition and physical activity during this midlife transitional phase for women. I also would like to draw your attention to the feature box and the excellent columns our associate editors have contributed to this issue. We are blessed with an extraordinary group of associate editors, and I deeply appreciate their professional wisdom and dedication to the Journal. Finally, I am humbled and deeply honored with the opportunity to serve as editor-in-chief and am committed to working closely with our exceptional associate editors and reviewers to maintain the quality and practicality of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®. I am always open to ideas and input and urge you to contact me with potential topic ideas and thoughts with regard to how we can make the Journal even better. Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM Editor-in-Chief Kalispell Regional Medical Center [email protected]