LAUSR

For many years, the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) and its Research Council (RC), have been the conduit for sharing the recent research evidence in the various kinesiology subdisciplines. This year is no different. The RC continues to ensure that SHAPE America members have access to the latest findings from the various subdisciplinary areas of study. It is not an understatement that today research and evidence has been and continues to be under siege. This is especially worrisome not just for research conducted around hot-button issues such as climate change or balancing the need for ensuring the survival of endangered species with economic development. It also applies to research in the various kinesiology subdisciplines. Credible evidence is critical to helping improve professional practice by teachers, athletic trainers, teacher educators, sport coaches, fitness trainers, and sport psychologists, among others. All these professionals are (or should be) committed to improving the lives of the people they serve. Consider, for example, the progress made in how fundamentally different today’s cardiac rehabilitation practices are compared to 25–30 years ago. In the late 1970s, patients recovering from bypass surgery were kept in bed for days on end. Today, the same patient is up and walking the day after that surgery. In large part, that is a consequence of advances in research. In another example, evidence is central to shaping efforts in developing policies that surround professional practice. These are but two examples where one can argue that research has had “impact.” Each of us may define “impact” differently. Kinesiology researchers plan, execute, present, and publish their research. Their efforts bring personal satisfaction and benefits, and certainly prestige to the university program within which they work. However, several colleagues remind us that each of us must keep asking questions, like: “To what end am I doing this research?,” “Who is really benefitting from my research?,” and “How can this research be translated in ways that it comes to life for professionals?” (e.g., Armour, 2010; Lawson, 2016; O’Sullivan, 2007). At this year’s National Convention in Tampa, Florida, teachers, teacher educators, and researchers can gain insight on almost 250 research projects. These will be presented in three different formats, including oral presentations, poster presentations, and roundtable presentations. The research topics include Adapted Physical Education/Activity, Exercise Science, Motivation and Psychology, Motor Behavior and Measurement, Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Sociocultural and Social Justice, Sport and Coaching, and Teaching and Learning. Each session will have a specific theme or a set of subthemes. I encourage you as well to attend the annual series of invited Scholar Lectures. This year’s lineup of lecturers incudes includes the who’s who in scholarship: