American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

AAHPERD National Associations 

The associations of AAHPERD have more than 22,000 members who are professionals in elementary, secondary and higher education, administration, research, youth programming, dance, coaching, sport medicine, health education, public health, fitness, choreography, therapeutic programs, parks and recreation services, and others with career interests in quality of life and movement related fields. Their common interest in promoting healthy, active, and creative lifestyles for all unites them as an Alliance.

The national associations are concerned with cultural, philosophical and scientific foundations, instruction, curriculum, and activity content of designated program areas. Each association represents a major field of interest which is directly related to the purpose and objectives of the Alliance. 

The national associations are:

• American Association for Health Education (AAHE)
• American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR)
• National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS)
• National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
• National Dance Association (NDA)

At the Regional Level

AAHPERD is organized geographically into six district associations so it can respond to member needs in a variety of ways. The six districts represent 54 states and U.S. territories, and they focus on concern common to the profession in their particular region of the country. The six districts are Central, Eastern, Midwest, Northwest, Southern, and Southwest.