The National Academy of Kinesiology: Its Founding, Focus, and Future

Abstract

This essay commemorates the National Academy of Kinesiology’s 90th anniversary meeting, even though the first meeting of fellows of an “[American] Academy of Physical Education” occurred in 1904, some 118 years ago. Clark W. Hetherington, Robert Tait McKenzie, William Burdick, Thomas A. Storey, and Jay B. Nash met in October 1926 to reignite the Academy of yesteryear. On December 31, 1930, just 14 months and 1 week into the Great Depression, they and 24 others formally launched what the Academy has become today. “Clearly, they were a bold, hearty, and optimistic group. Their determination, inspiration, and perspiration remain guiding lights for us to this day!” This essay aims to demystify and humanize the Academy by sharing stories of how it was formed and how it continues to inform all those working in kinesiology and related fields through its distinguished Fellows, one of whom is a Nobel Laureate.

The Importance of Textbooks in Kinesiology

“…In this article, we use textbook production of fellows of the American Academy of Physical Education (AAKPE); later the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE); now the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK) to illustrate the nature and content of textbooks over five different eras. Certainly, many Academy Fellows were early leaders in research (Cardinal, 2022), but many more were active in producing texts for the new American physical education programs. A search of the Library of Congress Catalog indicates that 27 of the first 29 fellows of American Academy of Physical Education authored one or more textbooks (93%).…”

Overview of Thigh Injuries in Dance

“…[28][29][30] Lower thigh strength has been correlated with greater number of days missed due to injury. 31 Cardinal and Cardinal 32 found that dancers exhibited a significantly lower quadriceps to hamstring (Q:H) ratio and participated in cross training activities, such as weight lifting and aerobics, significantly less than nondancers. A bias toward quadriceps strength resulting from dance training may lead to muscle imbalance at the thigh, increasing the likelihood of injury.…”