Art & Science
Fitness

Registered Physical
Exercise Physiologist

Arthur Sculco is the founder and sole proprietor of Art and Science Fitness

I am a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP), certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). I have a Master’s Degree from George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

Together, this Degree and certification, allow me to work with clients who are challenged by chronic disease, injury, spinal conditions, and frailty. I am trained in assessing risk factors, physical activity levels, and fitness. With that training, I prescribe exercise as a means to assist in recovery from illness or injury and to prevent injury or manage disease or chronic conditions.

As described by the ACSM, “RCEPs are certified health professionals that utilize scientific rationale to design, implement, and supervise exercise programming for their clients.” This credential/certification requires a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science or Physiology and a minimum of 600 hours of supervised clinical experience.

In addition to the ACSM RCEP credential, I have the following certifications that have provided me with the expertise to work with clients in Health and Wellness situations, Personal Training in Gyms and other settings:

  • ACSM CPT: Certified Personal Trainer
  • ACSM HFS: Health Fitness Specialist

I also hold the following certifications:

  • ACSM/ACS (American Cancer Society)
  • CET (Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer)
  • Advanced FMS (Functional Movement Screen)
  • CPR and AED AHA (American Heart Association)
  • BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)

My professional experience includes six years at the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Therapeutic and Sports Medicine Center as an Exercise Physiologist and seven years with the State of Rhode Island Hospital System as an exercise consultant and fall prevention specialist. In addition, I have 25+ years of experience helping my private clients improve their overall quality of life through my personal training services.

I have been teaching tennis for more than 25 years, both one-on-one and in groups. My passion for tennis started when I was very young, continued as I played on a tennis scholarship for a Division 1 college, and extends to over 25 years of playing and competitive tennis experience. In addition, my experience playing other sports also gives me insight into cross-training opportunities and other innovative ways to include specific sport skills in various workouts and exercise prescriptions.

I have had research published on low-back pain and disc herniation in the peer reviewed journal, SPINE of the North American Spine Society. My research was conducted with The George Washington University and Dr. Mario J. Sculco, my father, who was then the chief of neurosurgery at the WW Backus Hospital.

I have also had research published on the frail elderly in a psycho-geriatric population in a long-term care hospital (at Eleanor Slater Hospital). The research was done in association with the University Of Rhode Island. In addition, I was part of the Fall Prevention Committee at Eleanor Slater Hospital, in Cranston, Rhode Island. We were able to show a 50 percent reduction in fall occurrence as well as a lessening of the severity of falls in a frail psycho-geriatric population. This is particularly significant because the frail psycho-geriatric population is the highest risk population of all for fall accident and the severe consequences/complications that result from fall accidents.

List Of
Publications

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journals

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., Donald C. Paup Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.: “Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Lumbar Spine Patients in Treatment”, The Spine Journal 1 (2001) 95-101.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S.: “Spine Stats”, printed in section ‘The Spine Files’, The Spine

Journal 1 (2001) 153.

Research and Presentations

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., The George Washington University Medical Center, Mario J. Sculco, Norwich, Ct.: “Effects Of Aerobic  Exercise Volume On Mood Profile In Patients With Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus”, Accepted for oral presentation at the 20th annual meeting of the North American Spine Society, Philadelphia Pa, September, 2005.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., Donald C. Paup Ph.D., Larry F. Hamm Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.:

“Effects of Aerobic Exercise on fitness and low back flexibility in patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus” Accepted for live poster presentation at the 19th annual meeting North American Spine Society, Chicago, Il, October 2004.

Arthur Sculco, MS, A.M. Connolloy-Belanger, M.S., Steven Tuzo, Eleanor Slater Hospital, T.G. Manfredi FACSM, University of Rhode Island.: “Exercise reduces falls and improves gait and balance in the psychogeriatric population”, accepted for poster presentation at The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 2-5, 2004

Tom Manfredi, Ph.D. , Ann-Marie Connolly-Belanger, M.S. , Arthur D. Sculco, M.S. :” Exercise and the reduction of fall risk and related sequellae in the frail elderly”, Symposium at the New England chapter regional meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM), November 7, 2003.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., Donald C. Paup Ph.D., Larry F. Hamm Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.:

“Effects of aerobic exercise on pain and neurogenic symptoms in patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus”

Accepted for presentation at the 18th annual meeting North American Spine Society, San Diego, Ca, October 2003.

Ann-Marie Connolly-Belanger, M.S. , Arthur D. Sculco, M.S., Tom G. Manfredi, Ph.D., : “Effect of exercise on balance, gait, falls, functional and psychological status in a psychogeriatric population”, Poster presentation at the annual meeting of The American College of Sports Medicine, 2002.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., Donald C. Paup Ph.D., Larry F. Hamm Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.: “Effect Of Aerobic Exercise On Mood And Flexibility In Patients With Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus” Presented at the 17th annual meeting North American Spine Society, Montreal, Canada, November 2002.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., Donald S. Paup Ph.D., Larry F. Hamm Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.: “Aerobic Exercise Effects on Patients with Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus” Presented at the 16th annual meeting North American Spine Society, Seattle Washington, November 2001.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S, Donald S. Paup Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.:  “Aerobic Exercise reduces Medical Treatments for Low Back Pain Patients”, Poster Presentation at 15th annual meeting North American Spine Society, New Orleans, LA, October 2000.

A.M. Connolly-Belanger B.S., Arthur D. Sculco M.S., T.G. Manfredi, Ph.D.:  “Effect of Strength and Endurance Exercise Program for Psychogeriatric Seniors” Poster Presentation at New England American College of Sports Medicine, annual meeting Providence, RI, November, 2000

Arthur D. Sculco M.S, Donald S. Paup Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D., Mario J. Sculco M.D.:  “Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Lumbar Spine Patients in Treatment” Presented at the 14th annual meeting North American Spine Society, Chicago, IL October, 1999.

Arthur D. Sculco M.S., Donald S. Paup Ph.D., W. Lebolt Ph.D., L. Broemeyling Ph.D., R. Hirsch Ph.D., Bo Fernhall Ph.D.: “Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Low Back Patients’ Symptoms, Functional Status and Quality of Life.”  Thesis and poster presentation, national meeting of American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, FL, June 1998.  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Volume 30:5.

Recent
Testimonials

“…I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis over 30 years ago… I signed up with Arthur in February 2007… This February (’08) we headed off for South America and Antarctica, the first trip without relying on my wheelchair…” – Patricia

“It is clearly evident that Arthur is dedicated to empowering his clients to reach their optimum physical potential. I am deeply grateful.” – Cynthia

“I have been a client of Arthur’s for a year and 8 months and I feel as though my life has improved from the exercise training I have done with him… I feel extremely happy to work with him because he provides a very safe and productive exercise environment…I feel that Arthur is extremely knowledgeable about exercise physiology and fitness training but he has stood out in my mind because he cares for my welfare very genuinely… I feel I have a true advocate for my personal well-being by having Arthur Sculco as my exercise specialist/trainer.” – Bobby

“I’m happy and satisfied I came to Arthur Sculco—he has such a wonderful and positive attitude, he will not take “no” or “I can’t” in our language [it’s] “yes I can”. I have improved immensely in my strength and coordination, he has helped me accomplish my goals, he has a great sense of humor, at the same time he’s very professional and tough, just what I need. Arthur knows my needs and expectations.” – Marcia

“I have known Arthur Sculco for over four years… It has been a pleasure working with him and I cannot say enough about his dedication. He is MY lifeline and believe me if that’s not a compliment I don’t know what is” – Mel

“The bottom line is that because of Art’s knowledge, encouragement and inspiration, I feel that I’ve attained a whole new level of fitness!” – Roberta

“Mr. Sculco’s positive influence has greatly increased my overall attitude. His enthusiasm, professionalism, and expertise have been nothing short of excellent. I would highly recommend Arthur.” – Jarrod

“Always knowledgeable, optimistic, caring, on time and generous with overtime❣️ We still follow Arthur’s instructions even though in home sessions have ended🤗”  – Jim and Maggie

Arthur's
Philosophy

I created Art and Science Fitness because working as an exercise physiologist is more than simply a way to earn a living for me. It is my passion, and it gives me enormous satisfaction to work with clients who have varying needs and goals, both individually and in small groups, to help them achieve results they might never have thought possible

I believe that in order to attain the safest, fastest, and best results in personal training and health and fitness, it is most beneficial to have personally designed and individually tailored training sessions. This gives you the results you want without wasting even a minute of YOUR VALUABLE TIME! Herein lies the “Art and Science” of my training philosophy:

The Art

With over 18 years of experience designing exercise programs and creating individualized exercise prescriptions for all types of clients, I have been able to perfect the art of personal training. My knowledge of physiology and considerable experience in working with clients in a clinical and home setting have contributed to my ability to assess your needs, after the initial consultation, and create the perfect individualized program to fit your goals. I will then continue to assess these factors as you progress in your training. In short, you will get results for your hard work, and you can rest assured that your program is safe and ideal for your needs and goals.

The Science

A Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) is a medical and fitness professional with a minimum of a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology. This certification requires extensive training in the science of how the body functions when it is challenged by movements, large or small, and how it reacts physiologically during physical activity. This knowledge is essential when attempting to achieve specific goals for each individual client.

The good news is that you don’t have to worry about what your Pulse-Ox or Max Heart Rate is. You don’t have to decipher terms like Core Muscle Training, Functional Movement, PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), or Open and Closed Chain Exercise. I will take all of these things into account and prescribe the safest, most efficient personal training program for you to achieve your goals as quickly as possible. I will help to cut out the non-essential parts that will waste your time and slow you down, or worse yet, cause you injury.

– Arthur Sculco, MS, ACSM RCEP

Concierge
Services

Arthur Sculco provides concierge personal training to all his clients.  Arthur can train with you at your home, outdoors, at a facility of your choice, on the tennis court or other sports facility near you, or online via Zoom and other online platforms.  Training can be combined with in-person and online/virtual/telephone sessions to best suit your needs and wishes. This way, you can maximize your training time and you won’t lose a moment of your precious time!

Areas We
Service

Arthur serves most of New London County and the surrounding areas, including NorwichGrotonOld Lyme, East Lyme, Old Saybrook, New London, Waterford, Mystic, Ledyard, Stonington and North Stonington, Westerly, RI, and most other surrounding areas

Art & Science Fitness