The purpose of Russell and Limle's (2013) study was to determine whether youth-sport specialization and retrospective recall of youth-sport experiences were related to participants' perceptions of and participation in sport and physical activity as young adults. A significant number of participants (76 percent) reported specializing in…

This study examined whether students in an intervention group, who were given choices within physical education (PE), reported greater autonomous motivation, more favorable perceptions of autonomy support, and displayed higher in-class physical activity (PA) levels than those in a control group. It was hypothesized that there would be marked…

The goal of this study was to examine the coaching philosophies, views, and practices of outstanding high school coaches of various male and female sports across the United States. The intention was to determine whether these coaches used unique or innovative techniques or strategies that contributed to their success and, if so, whether these…

The growing appeal and acceptance of disability sports within the general population makes them an attractive addition for any physical education program. When included in a general physical education program, these sports provide complementary skills to students while delivering a powerful message about what it means to be an athlete with a…

Physical education should prepare students to participate in physical activity for a lifetime. Unfortunately, many adults are sedentary, while others regularly drop out and back in to physical activity in response to life events. This article summarizes research examining adolescent profiles that predict who is more or less likely to participate…

The last several decades have witnessed a large increase in the number of girls who participate in sports in the United States. Today an estimated 8 million third- through 12th-grade girls and 12 million boys participate in organized and team sports. While much progress has been made toward achieving gender equity in youth sports, too many girls…

Running has become a very popular lifetime physical activity even though there are numerous reports of running injuries. Although common theories have pointed to impact forces and overpronation as the main contributors to chronic running injuries, the increased use of cushioning and orthotics has done little to decrease running injuries. A new…

Although traditional aerobic activities such as running, cycling, and swimming may effectively increase activity and aerobic fitness, they may not be suitable or attractive for many people who would rather participate in sports and games. However, some HPER professionals believe that sports and games are not as effective for fitness and weight…

This article describes the results of a study that helped determine common barriers to active commuting to and from school, as well as the results of a Walking School Bus program that was implemented at two neighborhood elementary schools in Nebraska. While parental perceived barriers to active commuting may influence the travel choices of…

The growing interest in youth development, prevention, and assessment has challenged professional practices relative to the design, implementation, and evaluation of youth development programs. This article sheds light on the need for continuous training and staff development in the areas of program development and documentation, using the…

Little is known about dismissals in the high school coaching arena. Some research indicates that school boards and administrators dismiss an average of one in ten coaches annually. As educators who prepare future coaches and teachers, we strive to properly equip individuals pursuing this vocation by providing educational experiences that enhance…

The purpose of this study is to expand on previous research in three ways. First, the study is designed to further investigate the contemporary reasons for high school coaches' dismissals and related questions. Second, the study investigates this issue in Texas, which ranks as the state with the greatest total number of participants in high school…

During the closing remarks at the 2003 Conference for Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) faculty, Larry Locke, emeritus professor from the University of Massachusetts, commented on the presentations that he had seen as well as topics that he felt were important, but were not addressed at the conference. One omission was the topic of…

Most people probably do not remember being coached to jump, or--more important--to land. Research on landing concentrates on the impact forces associated with landing, the consequential effect on the legs, and the subsequent injury potential. There is an abundance of literature on how to create stronger and more powerful muscles, which may be…

Some researchers have suggested that the lack of appropriately prepared teachers in physical education is contributing to the decline of physical education in the schools. Whether or not this is true, the fact remains that today's society lacks appreciation for physical education. Because physical education needs to increase its credibility, it is…