Exercise physiology expert Deborah Riebe wins one of American College of Sports Medicine’s biggest awards
University of Rhode Island College of Health Sciences Associate Dean Deborah Riebe recently received one of the highest honors in the field of sports medicine, as she was named one of the highest achieving scientists in the field.
Riebe, an accomplished exercise physiologist, will receive a “Citation Award” during the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine at the end of May. The Citation Award is granted to an individual or group who has made significant and important contributions to sports medicine and/or the exercise sciences.
Riebe, who has also served as interim dean of the URI College of Health Sciences, centers her research on the development of physical activity interventions for a variety of populations including apparently healthy adults, older adults, and individuals with common chronic diseases, including obesity. She regularly works with interdisciplinary teams focused on physical activity and exercise, nutrition, and behavior modification. She has received funding from the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health, and the Champlin Foundation to support her research.
“Through her teaching, research and service, the number of people that Dr. Riebe has influenced is too numerous to count,” said kinesiology Associate Professor Christie Ward-Ritacco, who has worked closely with Riebe at URI. “Her work to restructure exercise pre-screening guidelines resulted in the reduction of barriers to people beginning exercise programs, which is one of the biggest challenges in the physical inactivity epidemic. Additionally, she is an incredible leader, teacher and mentor. Students who have been fortunate enough to learn from her and work with her leave URI with the knowledge, skills, abilities and passion to make a real difference in the field.”
This is not Riebe’s first honor from ACSM, having previously been named a Fellow of the college. She is also chair of ACSM’s “Exercise is Medicine” Credentials Committee, and was previously chair of ACSM’s Committee for Certification and Registry Boards, chair of the International Health Fitness Summit Planning Committee, and an ACSM Board of Trustees member, representing education and allied health. Riebe is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology.
“It goes without saying that Dr. Deb Riebe is the consummate professional,” said Francis Neric, associate vice president of certification and credentialing for ACSM. “Her contributions to the Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, summit planning and the ACSM Certification Board have left a profound and indelible mark on the college. We are ever so grateful for Deb’s selfless commitment to ACSM and, more importantly, the many lives she has positively impacted through her work.”
In addition to her national service, Riebe also served regionally as president of the New England Chapter of ACSM. She has authored more than 80 scientific articles and book chapters, and she was the senior editor of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 10th Edition.
The American College of Sports Medicine is an international organization that promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.