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

What Does AAHPERD Do?

Research.  Members and member committees conduct research on a variety of topics. The associations disseminate the research through scientific congresses, published materials, workshops, and conference sessions.

Publishing.  The associations of AAHPERD publish journals, books, brochures, studies, newsletters, fact sheets, and other informative materials. In this way they fill a critical role by promoting and disseminating knowledge. Additionally, this provides members with an opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge in their discipline.

Professional Development.  In addition to conducting an annual national convention, the associations of AAHPERD conduct numerous conferences, workshops, seminars, and training sessions throughout the year in various parts of the country.

Advocacy.  AAHPERD’s associations provide strong representation on legislative issues at all levels of government and with other national agencies. AAHPERD members have been instrumental in advocating for issues such as gender equity, arts funding, coaching certification, development of standards, and maintaining educational programs.

Continuing Education, Credentialing, and Consulting.  Several of the associations offer continuing education opportunities to members. Consulting services are available in such areas as designing facilities and equipment, evaluation of choreographic work, certifying health education specialists, physical education teacher education programs, and coaching education. 

Standards.  The associations of AAHPERD are very active in developing and promoting standards. Of note are standards for dance education, comprehensive school health education, coaching, and physical education.

Student Services.  In addition to offering scholarships, AAHPERD’s associations offer various services to assist students who are future professionals. The associations provide leadership opportunities to students by seating them on governing boards, offering special programs and activities at conferences, publishing student-focused news in various communications, sponsoring student literary competitions, and providing career information. 

Job placement.  The associations of AAHPERD assist their members by offering several job placement and professional development services.

Rewarding excellence.  AAHPERD and its associations honor excellence through numerous awards. National and local teachers, administrators, and majors of the year are selected; outstanding scholar athletes are recognized, and outstanding research contributions are honored.

Liaison with other groups.  The associations are closely involved in programs with many prominent national groups such as the American Heart Association, American College of Sports Medicine, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport, Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, YWCA, National Parks and Recreation Association, Girls Clubs of America, the United States Olympic Committee, and the Women’s Sport Foundation.

Technology development.  The associations are active in developing technology to use in such areas as fitness assessment and supervision and curriculum evaluation.