ACSM World Heart Games

Join us for the 2025 World Heart Games on the beautiful campus of Piedmont University & Tallulah Falls School in Habersham County, Georgia on June 20-21, 2025. As an Olympic-style event, the World Heart Games provide two days of safe, fun and relational competition for those who have experienced a cardiopulmonary event or live with risk factors.

These team-based and individual events will foster a competitive spirit and a healthy lifestyle. All skill levels are welcomed to participate and can do so as a team or as an individual. Don’t have a team? Individuals can get paired for team-based events after registering. Athletes can compete in a wide variety of challenging, yet safe activities. These provide a monitored and competitive way for the participants to be active in a way that they are physically comfortable.

Registration Opens Feb. 1!

Check back for more information.

June 20-21, 2025

Piedmont University & Tallulah Falls School
Habersham County, GA

Click the image to learn more.

Piedmont University's Johnny Mize Athletic Center:
280 Laurel Ave., Demorest, GA, 30535

Click the image to learn more.

Tallulah Falls School:
201 Campus Dr., Tallulah Falls, GA, 30573

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel options are TBD. Please check back for updates on hotel information.

Scholarships

AACVPR Scholarships: Five $1,000 scholarships are available to teams of at least two athletes from programs in the United States. Applicants will be reviewed by an AACVPR Committee based on criteria listed on the application.

Scholarship Application

World Heart Games Events

Individual Events
- Basketball Shooting (Men & Women)
- Bowling
- Disc Golf
- Game of Knowledge
- Golf Putting
- Horseshoes
- Prediction Walk, Jog, Airdyne Bike, Nustep, Row and Swim
- Racquetball
- Soccer Shoot (Men & Women)
- Softball Throw (Men & Women)
- Table Tennis
- Tennis Singles
Swimming, tennis, and table-tennis (Ping-Pong) will take place at the Tallulah Falls School. TFS is only about 25 minutes away from Piedmont University. Participants can drive there or take the provided shuttle.
Team-Based Events
- Bean Bag Toss/Cornhole
- Golf (2-man scramble)
- Pickleball (Doubles)
- Tennis (Doubles)
- Volleyball
Tennis will take place at the Tallulah Falls School. TFS is only about 25 minutes away from Piedmont University. Participants can drive there or take the provided shuttle.

Overview of Events and Rules

Fundraising Ideas
- Spaghetti Dinner – Have participants and other patients donate one pound of spaghetti noodles and a jar of spaghetti sauce. Contact your local grocery store to donate/discount the ground beef, Parmesan cheese, butter, and bread. Charge a flat fee for patients, family members and others in the community.
- Yard/Bake Sale – Participants and other patients that wish to help may donate items and baked goods. You may also want to do a small concession stand, i.e. hot dogs, water, soda, etc.
- Comedy/Talent Show – Ask for donations for the soup and cornbread, have volunteers cook and serve the cornbread and soup. Participants can come up with different skits for the comedy show. Charge a flat fee for dinner and the show.
- Volleyball tournament – Charge a nominal amount for teams to enter. Find a location that will charge little or nothing (a local high school gym may work), have a small concession stand, purchase t-shirts and trophies.
- You may want to send out local letters to businesses and try to raise corporate sponsors for the fundraising or just to sponsor your team. This will provide good public relations for the business!
- Ask your Physician for donations.
- Seek a sponsor: Reach out to local and corporate businesses to sponsor your team.
- Hospital Foundation: Ask cardiac rehab staff to get support from your health organizations foundation.
- Grateful Patient: Buy a “heart” to go towards your team!

About the World Heart Games

In 1990, the Georgia Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation began sponsoring the Heart of Gold Games. Cardiac rehabilitation programs from around the state sent teams to compete in several events. This concept led to the creation of the AACVPR International Heart & Lung Games of 2003 and 2006. In 2010 the games evolved into the ACSM World Heart Games with teams throughout the U.S. participating. The games were held next in Atlanta, Georgia in 2013, in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2016 and now Hickory, North Carolina in 2019 and 2022 with growing participation and involvement. In keeping with the Olympic motto – Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger) the ACSM World Heart Games motto is now Sapientior, Fortius, Sanior (wiser, stronger, healthier)!

2016 World Heart Games Video

2025 World Heart Games Committee

A project the magnitude of the ACSM World Heart Games would not be possible without these dedicated professionals:

F. Stuart Sanders, M.D., FACSM, FACP, MAACVPR, Chair
Thomas A. Draper, MBA, MAACVPR
Karen Lui, MS, MAACVPR
Katie Feltman, Interim CEO, ACSM
Carl N. King, Ed.D., MAACVPR
Robert Nichols, Co-Coordinator
Wyatt Nicholson, MS, ACSM-CEP, Co-Coordinator
John P. Porcari, Ph.D., FACSM, MAACVPR
Walt Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, FAACVPR, FCEPA
Eric Utterback, ACSM
With special thanks to The Mended Hearts, Inc

Registration Opens Feb. 1!

June 20-21, 2025

Hotel Accommodations

Scholarships

World Heart Games Events

Individual Events

Swimming, tennis, and table-tennis (Ping-Pong) will take place at the Tallulah Falls School. TFS is only about 25 minutes away from Piedmont University. Participants can drive there or take the provided shuttle.

Team-Based Events

Tennis will take place at the Tallulah Falls School. TFS is only about 25 minutes away from Piedmont University. Participants can drive there or take the provided shuttle.

Fundraising Ideas

About the World Heart Games

2025 World Heart Games Committee

Partners