Physical Education

Our mission is to be the premier global, sports medicine organization representing the interests of orthopaedic surgeons and other professionals who provide comprehensive health services for the care of athletes and active people of all ages and abilities. We cultivate evidence-based knowledge, provide extensive educational programming, and promote emerging research that advances the science and practice of sports medicine.

The American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) was founded in October 1977 by a group of 53 scientists and clinicians. There are several regional and national associations – the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Orthopaedic Research Society, for example, which regularly or occasionally assign portions of their meetings to biomechanics. These however, are generally attended by those people associated with the parent field. As a result, there is little opportunity for the kind of exchange between people working in different fields of application that would clearly benefit all concerned. The American Society of Biomechanics was formed to meet this need.

Founded in 1985, the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) is the leading organization for sport psychology consultants and professionals who work with athletes, coaches, non-sport performers (dancers, musicians), business professionals, and tactical occupations (military, firefighters, police) to enhance their performance from a psychological standpoint.

The College Athletic Trainers' Society was founded to provide high quality care to our student-athletes, to foster a close working relationship with organizations whose interests are to promote intercollegiate athletics, and to address the needs and concerns of full-time head and assistant athletic trainers at colleges and universities.

The dual purpose of the Academy of Kinesiology shall be to encourage and promote the study and educational applications of the art and science of human movement and physical activity and to honor by election to its membership persons who have directly or indirectly contributed significantly to the study of and/or application of the art and science of human movement and physical activity.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession. Founded in 1950, the NATA has grown to more than 45,000 members worldwide today. The majority of certified athletic trainers choose to be members of NATA to support their profession and to receive a broad array of membership benefits.

The purpose of NASPSPA is to develop and advance the study of Motor Behavior (development, learning, and control) and Sport and Exercise Psychology. Membership in NASPSPA is open to anyone who is interested in Motor Behavior and/or Sport and Exercise Psychology and who pays their annual membership dues. NASPSPA has approximately 400 members (most are from Canada and the United States, but with representation worldwide). Approximately 50% of the members are graduate students in the field of Kinesiology.

SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. Formerly called American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

The World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT) is a coalition of health care professionals in the fields of sport, exercise, injury/illness prevention and treatment. The primary objective of the WFATT is to promote the highest quality of health care and functional activity through the collaborative efforts of its members.

AFAA has led the way in certifying group and personal trainers for over 35 years. AFAA instructors and trainers have gone out to the world to share their love for fitness and be the person that others look to for a superior learning experience at an unbeatable price. Now we're building on AFAA's stature as a leader and innovator to get people excited about working out.