NASM Launches Journal to Turn Fitness Science into Actionable Results

GILBERT, AZ – February 18, 2026 – The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a global leader in fitness and wellness education, today announced the launch of the Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance™ (JFWHP). The new peer-reviewed publication is designed to tackle a long-standing challenge in the industry: translating dense, academic research into practical, day-to-day strategies for fitness professionals.

By focusing on what it calls "Actionable Science," the biannual journal aims to empower coaches, trainers, and other practitioners with evidence-based tools they can use immediately with clients. This initiative represents a significant step toward standardizing and elevating the quality of coaching across the fitness landscape.

“At NASM, our focus is on creating tools that serve the modern practitioner's daily needs,” said Mike Fantigrassi, NASM Head of Product, in the official announcement. “JFWHP is where science meets practice. Our mission is to empower professionals with a trusted source of peer-reviewed research and practical insights that elevate human performance and well-being.”

Addressing a Widely Recognized Industry Gap

The launch of JFWHP directly confronts the well-documented "science-to-practice gap" that has persisted in sports science and exercise medicine for decades. While academic journals are filled with groundbreaking studies, fitness professionals on the ground often struggle to access, interpret, and apply these findings. Key barriers frequently cited by practitioners include the high cost of journal subscriptions, the lack of time to sift through complex studies, and the difficulty in translating research conducted in controlled lab settings into the dynamic environment of a gym or training facility.

This disconnect often leaves practitioners relying on anecdotal evidence or fleeting industry trends rather than scientifically validated methods. The result is a fragmented approach to training and wellness that can hinder client progress and, in some cases, compromise safety. JFWHP seeks to be the definitive bridge over this gap.

By curating and publishing peer-reviewed articles, case series, and critically appraised topics specifically for the practitioner, NASM aims to create a reliable, go-to resource. The goal is to shift the industry standard from simply following fads to implementing strategies backed by rigorous scientific inquiry, ultimately enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of fitness professionals worldwide.

Scholarly Rigor Meets Practical Application

To ensure the journal's academic integrity, NASM has appointed two highly respected figures in the field as Co-Editors-in-Chief: Dr. Scott W. Cheatham and Dr. Guillermo Escalante. Their involvement signals a serious commitment to scholarly quality.

Dr. Cheatham, a Professor in the Division of Kinesiology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with an extensive publication history in rehabilitation and evidence-based practice. Dr. Escalante, a Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino, holds a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy and is a recognized expert in resistance training and sports nutrition. Their combined expertise ensures that the content will be both scientifically sound and relevant to real-world application.

The journal, published in partnership with KGL Meridian, a well-known provider of scholarly publishing services, will adopt a multidisciplinary approach. It will feature research and practical insights across a broad spectrum of fields, including:

• Fitness and Sports Performance
• Wellness and Health Promotion
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy

This holistic scope acknowledges that modern fitness professionals must be knowledgeable in various interconnected disciplines to provide comprehensive guidance to their clients.

A Strategic Play in Professional Development

The launch of the journal is also a significant strategic move for NASM, reinforcing its position as a dominant force in the professional development market. Full access to JFWHP will be provided exclusively to members of NASM One™, the organization's all-in-one membership platform. This positions the journal as a premium benefit, adding substantial value to the membership and creating a powerful incentive for professionals to join and remain within the NASM ecosystem.

This model places JFWHP in a unique position within the competitive landscape of fitness publications. While organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) publish respected journals, they are often either geared toward pure academic research, like the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, or serve as more general-interest trade publications. JFWHP's explicit mission to translate primary research into actionable takeaways for the practicing coach carves out a distinct and needed niche.

While the exclusive access model enhances the value of a NASM One™ membership, it also means that professionals certified by other bodies or those unable to afford the membership will have limited access. However, NASM has stated that abstracts and select articles will be made publicly available, allowing some knowledge to disseminate more broadly across the industry and potentially enticing new professionals into its ecosystem.

The Ripple Effect: From Lab to Gym Floor

The ultimate beneficiary of this initiative is intended to be the everyday fitness client. By equipping coaches with validated, effective, and safe strategies, the journal has the potential to directly improve the quality of personal training, nutrition advice, and wellness coaching available to the public. When trainers can confidently base their programming on peer-reviewed science rather than guesswork, clients are more likely to achieve their health and performance goals efficiently and without injury.

In its call for contributors, JFWHP invites researchers and clinician-scientists to submit practitioner-focused work, creating a vital new channel for their findings to reach the people who can put them into practice. This feedback loop—from research to application and back—could accelerate the evolution of the fitness industry, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

By championing "Actionable Science," the Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance is not just a new publication; it is a clear statement about the future of fitness—one that is more deeply rooted in evidence, accountability, and the pursuit of superior client outcomes.