History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity

Blending historical grounding and philosophical insights regarding sport and physical activity, History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity covers the historical and philosophical dimensions of the study of human movement. This cross-disciplinary text shows how theory in the humanities can affect professional practice.

The author team, R. Scott Kretchmar, Mark Dyreson, Matthew P. Llewellyn, and John Gleaves, offers philosophical and ethical analyses alongside explorations of changes in culture. The text follows a chronology of human movement from our origins as hunter-gatherers to the present. The authors blend their specific areas of expertise to present a thorough integration of philosophy and history, capitalizing on the strengths of both disciplines.

History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity examines sport and physical activity as a social force. Each chapter provides a historical scaffolding that leads into philosophical discussions about the issues raised. The content is compelling, effective, and accessible for readers.

Student exercise sidebars allow students to explore questions as they go, especially in relating philosophical inquiry to historical events. Historical profile sidebars throughout the chapters allow students to gain greater insight into historical figures and events. Ancillaries include an instructor guide, a presentation package, and a test package to help instructors make the most of the historical, philosophical, anthropological, and sociological issues presented in the book.

History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity is designed to reduce any gap that might exist between good ideas and sound professional behavior. Historical lessons and philosophical analyses are seamlessly integrated.

Readers will understand the intersection of history, culture, ideals, ethics, and professional practice from sport’s leading philosophers and historians.

R. Scott Kretchmar, PhD, is a professor emeritus of exercise and sport science at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania. Kretchmar, a fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology, is a former president of the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport and previously served as editor of the Journal of the Philosophy of Sport. He has been named an Alliance Scholar by SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) and a Distinguished Scholar by the National Association for Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education (NAKPEHE).

Mark Dyreson, PhD, is a professor of kinesiology and an affiliate professor of history at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania. Also a fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology, he is a former president of the North American Society for Sport History (NASSH), an academic editor for the International Journal of the History of Sport, and the coeditor of the Sport in the Global Society: Historical Perspectives book series (Routledge Press).

Matthew P. Llewellyn, PhD, is an associate professor of kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton, and codirector of the Center for Sociocultural Sport and Olympic Research. Llewellyn earned a PhD in historical and philosophical aspects of sport and physical activity at Pennsylvania State University. He is the current associate editor of the Journal of Sport History and the author of four books and over 30 scholarly articles on the history of sport and physical activity.

John Gleaves, PhD, is an associate professor of kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton. Gleaves is the codirector of both the International Network of Doping Research and the Center for Sociocultural Sport and Olympic Research. He is also the associate editor for the journal Performance Enhancement and Health. His research and teaching focus on applied ethics and cultural history related to sport, physical activity, and society. Gleaves’ research has won several awards, including a Brocher Foundation fellowship.