Major specializations in the discipline of physical education are often identified by the terms: history of physical education; exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor development, motor learning, sport psychology, and sport sociology. In this text, two chapters are provided on each of these specialized areas. One chapter describes the emergence of study in the area of specialization, and the second chapter describes the current status of the field and suggests areas for further research. A discussion on the relatively new area of sports sociology describes the emergence of, and future prospect for, study. Special chapters discuss the experimental approaches used for solving problems in physical education research. Chapters are included on the metabolism of lactic acid and its involvement with recovery from strenuous exercise, the evolution of the "memory drum" theory, and the perceptual-cognitive development of motor skills. The contribution of physical education to the development of physically handicapped individuals is discussed in a chapter on adapted physical education. (Editors/JD)