PREFACE

1

As the program chair for the Research Council at SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators, I am excited to announce the research program for the 2024 SHAPE America National Convention in Cleveland, OH. A total of 144 abstracts were accepted for inclusion in this year’s program under eight research topics: Adapted Physical Activity/Education, Measurement and Evaluation, Motor Behavior, Motivation and Psychology, Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Sociocultural and Social Justice Issues, Sport and Coaching, and Teaching and Learning. The presentation formats include 11 oral sessions, three poster sessions, two roundtables, and three symposia.

Another important aspect of the research program is the distinguished lecture and award series managed by the Research Council under the leadership of the current chair, Dr. Tan Leng Goh (Central Connecticut State University). The following were selected as 2024 Distinguished Scholars:

• Dr. Samuel Hodge (The Ohio State University) will present the C. H. McCloy Research Lecture

• Dr. Senlin Chen (Louisiana State University) will present the Raymond A. Weiss Research Lecture

• Dr. Tom Templin (University of Michigan) will present the Daryl Siedentop Scholar Lecture

• Dr. Barbara Ainsworth (Arizona State University) will present the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (RQES) Lecture

• Dr. Sue Sutherland (The Ohio State University) is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award

Another set of lectures that are awarded by the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) include:

• CSPAP Research SIG Lecture: Dr. Eloise Elliot (West Virginia University)

• Motor Behavior SIG Lolas E. Halverson Lecture: Dr. Nancy Getchell (University of Delaware)

• Measurement & Evaluation JoAnne Safrit Keynote Lecture: Dr. Barbara Ainsworth (Arizona State University)

• Curriculum & Instruction Scholar Lecturer: Dr. Sara Flory (University of South Florida) who will be presenting with Mr. Dwayne Edwards (Regis High School, New York)

Developing such a comprehensive, high-quality program requires a team effort. I thank those who volunteered their time and talent behind the scenes. First, thank you to the dozens of volunteers who reviewed abstracts. Thanks to your efforts, we have a robust research program. Second, much appreciation and thanks go to the research program chairs who are the individuals that selected the reviewers, managed the review process, and made initial decisions on the abstract submissions. These individuals are:

• Joonkoo (J.K.) Yun (East Carolina University) – Adapted Physical Activity/Education

• You Fu (University of Nevada) – Exercise Sciences

• Ryan Burns (University of Utah) – Measurement and Evaluation

• Senlin Chen (Louisiana State University) – Motivation and Psychology

• Nancy Getchell (University of Delaware) – Motor Behavior

• Emily Jones (Illinois State University) – Physical Activity and Health Promotion

• Oscar Nunez Enriquez (Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua) – Sociocultural and Social Justice Issues

• Clayton Kuklick (University of Denver) – Sport and Coaching

• Heather Erwin (University of Kentucky) and Cate Loiacono (University of Idaho) –Teaching and Learning

Prior to the convention, the Research Council and SIGs sponsored virtual events as a way for SHAPE America members to stay engaged with research topics throughout the year. This year the Research Council hosted a webinar to highlight the new Research Fellows inducted in 2023. Drs. Brian Dauenhauer (University of Northern Colorado), Scott McNamara (University of New Hampshire), and Emi Tsuda (West Virginia University) presented their research in a webinar titled “Research Fellow Showcase: Unveiling New Research in HPE.” Dr. Collin Brooks (University of West Georgia), a leader in practical applications of AI, delivered a webinar titled, “Exploring AI-Enhanced Assessment for Health and Physical Education.” Dr. Brooks’ presentation was hosted by the Measurement and Evaluation SIG. A third webinar entitled “CSPAP: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice” was hosted by the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) SIG and featured the work of Drs. Aaron Beighle (University of Kentucky) and Heather Erwin (University of Kentucky) who discussed research-backed insights and practical strategies to bridge the gap between CSPAP theory and implementation.

Finally, I want to thank Chasity Burns Terry for her attention to detail, professionalism, and care in orchestrating the logistics of the research program. Somehow, once again, she has made all of this fit within the other moving parts of the convention.

I am looking forward to the research program in Cleveland, OH, two Coffee Talks hosted by the Research Council, and celebrating all our efforts at the Research Council Social after the McCloy Lecture. Hope to see you there!