Inter-disciplinarity and bridging disciplinary boundaries is a practice that scholars often strive for within higher education research. Kinesiology encompasses many aspects such as physical activity, physical education and community. In this article, the two fields of leisure studies and physical education are analyzed as a means to argue that…

For the 31st Delphine Hanna Lecture, this paper draws parallels between Dr. Delphine Hanna's approach to establishing physical education's professional legitimacy in the late 1800s to the field's current quest for social and cultural relevance. Drawing on the concept of precarity, the paper outlines society's current challenges and argues that the…

To present human flourishing (the pursuit of a good life) as the aim of physical education, this paper (1) outlines the need for a new professional aim, (2) synthesizes neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics, (3) reviews a philosophy of flourishing physical education, (4) presents critiques for the field to address, and (5) articulates an example,…

In this critical reflection, we consider physical education policy research in the United States (U.S.) using a sociocritical lens. Our aim is to extend the discussion and critiques of physical education policy research by exploring how it is conducted in the U.S. Instead of asking 'What is physical education policy research?', we are more…

Research in Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) has evolved over the past decade. A goal of CSPAP is to provide opportunities for children and adolescents to engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity through school-based physical activity programs. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the…

Academics and practitioners are often at a loss when it comes to understanding the ethical socio-political and cultural contexts that invade the world of adapted physical activity. Ethical practice is situated in the local and the specific. In this article we highlight the reality that both academics and practitioners need to be ever mindful that…

Achievement goal theory has been a dominant framework guiding research on motivation in physical activity (PA) settings. This study was designed to examine the predictive role of achievement goals and social goals on college students' self-reported persistence toward PA. We also examined gender- and grade-related differences in achievement goals…

This article posits that each content area that falls under the umbrella of kinesiology must develop a future cadre of professionals who are competent in their content knowledge and are trained as leaders who are able to understand the essential impacts of culture on their work. The intentional development of culturally fluent leaders should be a…

This article examines the complex but seldom articulated relationship of primary physical education, citizenship, and social justice. We argue that to conflate physical "activity" and sport with physical "education" in unacknowledged ways may serve to perpetuate the status quo. More significantly, the current emphasis on…

Amy Morris Homans was an amazing leader in the early development of physical education. She believed that every individual must be educated academically and physically. Earlier this year, SHAPE America committed to making her vision a reality with the goal of empowering ALL students with the skills, knowledge, habits, and determination to make…

Increasing physical activity opportunities in schools has emerged as a global priority among school-aged youth. As a result, many countries have designed and implemented whole-of-school physical activity initiatives that seek to increase physical activity opportunities that are available to school-aged children before, during, and after school.…

We are living in a time of increasing interest in the religious and spiritual aspects of sport and human movement activities. A strict distinction between religion and spirituality is, however, still missing in much of the literature. After delimiting religious and spiritual modes of experience, this article addresses Coubertin's "religio…

Physical education debuted in higher education in 1860 at Amherst College. The program, aimed at the general student body, thrived under the leadership of Edward Hitchcock, Jr., M.D. Similar programs were developed elsewhere. At its high point, an estimated 97% of colleges and universities required their students to partake in some form of…

Recommended approaches to promoting children's physical activity through schools call for physical education teachers to serve as champions for, and leaders of, Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAPs). Little evidence, however, exists to suggest that physical education teachers are ideally prepared or supported to assume CSPAP…

The articles included in this special issue of Quest emerged from a research workshop entitled "Thinking About Our Thinking in Adapted Physical Activity," held at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, from June 18-19, 2013. The aim of the workshop was to examine different worldviews that contribute to the adapted physical…