Playing with Research in Health and Physical Education

Risto and Aaron discuss a wide range of issues such as publication, working with teachers, international education, and the state of the field. Aaron Beighle is a professor at the University of Kentucky and is the co-author of elementary and secondary PE methods books as well as a prolific scholar with over 11,000 citations of his work, that he claims he was unaware of. Here are inks to the content we discussedhttps://www.dynamicpeasap.com/pages/Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children-20th Edition – Human Kineticshttps://us.humankinetics.com/products/dynamic-physical-education-for-elementary-school-children-20th-edition?srsltid=AfmBOopCorH9ayslNDhFA1jNV6QurlXMISoxhK16Y68QedLwJo2YTajCDynamic Physical Education for Secondary School Students-10th Edition – Human Kinetics https://us.humankinetics.com/products/dynamic-physical-education-for-secondary-school-students-10th-edition?srsltid=AfmBOor4RhizRb9yYc5R58yOSuNagrxyZigJP-Bmidu37R1uD5hYHCuQThe PE Huddle - Episode Archive Page https://pd.gophersport.com/pe-huddle/Beighle, A, Watts, D. & Erwin, H. (Eds.) (Spring 2026). Teaching Physical Education in International Schools: Contexts and Strategies from Around the Globe. Routledge

Risto is joined by Dr. Sean Fullerton from Towson University to discuss a recent article in JTPE that covers teachers acceptance and use of a fitness based software, specifically PLT4MHere is the full cite to the article:Fullerton, S. A., Gaudreault, K. L., Simonton, K. L., Shiver, V. N., & Kravitz, L. (2025). Physical Education Teachers’ Acceptance and Use of a Fitness-Based Software. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 1(aop), 1-11.

This is a theory breakdown episode of the universal theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). It is recorded by Sean Fullerton and is a companion podcast to episode 377 in which he describes research on PE teachers acceptance and use of fitness based technologies where he employed this theory

Risto is joined by a group of colleagues to discuss one article that we feel has been most influential on our current or past research. We're talking about articles that have had a profound impact on where our research went and discuss a little about the back story from each. Here are the APA citations of the articles if you want to look them up:Risto’s article:Oliver, K. L., Hamzeh, M., & McCaughtry, N. (2009). Girly girls can play games/las niñas pueden jugar tambien: Co-creating a curriculum of possibilities with fifth-grade girls. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28(1), 90-110.Kevin’s article:Sparkes, A. C., Templin, T. J., & Schempp, P. G. (1993). Exploring dimensions of marginality: Reflecting on the life histories of physical education teachers. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 12(4), 386-398.Erin’s Article:Ladson-Billings, G. (1995). Toward a theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. American Educational Research Journal, 32(3), 465-491.Michael’s article:Byra, M., & Karp, G. G. (2000). Data Collection Techniques Employed in Qualitative Research in Physical Education Teacher Education. Journal of Teaching in Physical education, 19(2).Emily’s article:Prusak, K. A., Pennington, T., Graser, S. V., Beighle, A., & Morgan, C. F. (2010). Systemic success in physical education: The East Valley phenomenon. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 29(1), 85-106.👉 Read the full blog here: www.thehpewebsite.com/blog/the-articles-that-shape-us

Dr. Obi Atkinson is an Assistant Professor in the Physical Education Department at SUNY Cortland. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Dr. Atkinson recently completed his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Sport Pedagogy. His research interests focus on variables and social agents that influence developmental outcomes for youth. Specifically, Dr. Atkinson explores teaching and coaching behaviors as well as contextual factors and social interactions that are most effective for youth’s performance, participation, and personal development in physical education and sport. In this episode, Dr. Atkinson discusses his dissertation titled "Exploring the Influence of U.S. High School Athletes’ Perceptions of Their Coach’s Communication on Constructs of Their Sport-Related Well-Being."

Dr. Jamie Brunsdon is a third year Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy at the University of Memphis. Prior to moving to the University of Alabama in 2018 to complete his doctoral degree, Jamie was a full and part-time physical education in England. His research interests include studying teacher and faculty socialization and applied virtue ethics. In this episode, Dr. Brunsdon discusses his dissertation titled "Physical Education Teacher Education Futures."

Today we’re diving into an article from Studying Teacher Education titled “Changing Roles, Changing Clothes: Navigating the Thresholds and Crossing Boundaries into Academic Leadership.”It’s written by Kevin Patton; Maura Coulter and Chris North who are all here today…today we’ll explore what it feels like to step across the line—from being a physical education teacher educator into becoming an academic leaderFull article:Patton, K., Coulter, M., & North, C. (2025). Changing Roles, Changing Clothes: Navigating the Thresholds and Crossing Boundaries into Academic Leadership. Studying Teacher Education, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425964.2025.2577622Guest Bios • Kevin Patton is a professor and chair of kinesiology at CSU Chico, with nearly two decades in PETE and research focused on teacher learning and program leadership.• Maura Coulter serves as Associate Dean for Research at DCU’s Faculty of Education, with a long career in primary PETE and scholarship on reflective practice and professional growth.• Chris North is Deputy Head of School at the University of Canterbury, specializing in outdoor and environmental education and collaborative teacher education research.

Dr. Santiago tested over 400 in-service PE teachers and found an average score of 54.3% on the Health-Related Fitness Knowledge test — essentially an “F” by grading standards. The article, “Physical Education Teachers’ Common Content Knowledge of Health-Related Fitness,” was published in the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education a few weeks ago, and Jose Santiago comes on the explain the results. If you want the fitness test he has validated you can email him jas083@shsu.edu Here is a link to the paper https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2024-0465Santiago, J. A., Morrow, J. R., Jr., Morales, J., Muñoz, M., & Kim, M. (2025). Physical Education Teachers’ Common Content Knowledge of Health-Related Fitness. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2024-0465Author bios: • Dr. José A. Santiago is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University. His research focuses on teacher knowledge of health-related fitness.• Dr. James R. Morrow Jr. is a professor emeritus at the University of North Texas, a leading scholar in physical fitness assessment and measurement.(Retired)• Dr. Julio Morales is an associate professor at Lamar University, specializing in motor behavior and assessment, and measurement. (Retired)• Dr. Mario Muñoz is an assistant professor at Sam Houston State University, specializing in physical activity and youth fitness. • Dr. Minhyun Kim is an associate professor at Sam Houston State University, focusing on adapted physical activity/education and teacher professional development.

This is the audio from the November 2025 AIESEP Connect covering the GO PE! and GoPA! Country Cardshttps://www.globalphysicaleducationobservatory.comhttps://new.globalphysicalactivityobservatory.com/countrycards/https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/22/11/article-p1337.xmlwww.aiesep.org

The guest this week is Dr. Vicky Randall. She has published two books recently and we discuss one of them titled: Professional Knowledge and Primary Physical Education Link to the book: https://www.routledge.com/Professional-Knowledge-in-Primary-Physical-Education/Randall/p/book/9781032696300 Vicky Randall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vrandallpe/?originalSubdomain=ukContemporary Issues in Primary Physical Educationhttps://www.routledge.com/Contemporary-Issues-in-Primary-Physical-Education/Griggs-Randall/p/book/9781032753966

In this episode, we explore the transformative potential of the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model in advancing social justice through physical education. Drawing on the work of Don Hellison and the TPSR Alliance, Dr. Michael Hemphill and Dr. Paul Wright reflect on decades of scholarship and practice that center youth development in underserved communities.Here is the link to the 4th edition of the book we discussed:https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Personal-Responsibility-Physical-Activity/dp/1718211953Here is the program Michael discussed in Canadahttps://www.growingyoungmovers.com/ A link to the TPSR Alliancehttps://www.tpsralliance.org/ Full Cite of the article:Hemphill, M. A., & Wright, P. M. (2025). Contribution of TPSR scholarship and practice to social justice. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, 16(3), 296–310. https://doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2025.2556274

This is the audio from the October 2025 – #AIESEPConnect #CoffeeWithColleagues Contemporary Issues in Primary / Elementary Physical Education with Gerald Griggs, Grace Cardiff, and Vicky Randall. It is co-hosted by Maura Coulter and Kristy HowellsYou can watch the video version herehttps://youtu.be/9jGCu7meqRUTo be kept up to date with the activities of the SIG through their mailing list, please complete the following form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfy1RyqeE4g_xnZOUhZx32c4gWS0OuclWpyiC6smtukisiCKg/viewform?usp=header•Follow the SIG on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/groups/11854037/ and Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/eppe-aiesepsig.bsky.social •Contact SIG Chair maura.coulter@dcu.ie for further information

I joined the Aussie Book Club this month, and our discussion was surrounding Mikael Quennerstedt's 2019 Article:Quennerstedt (2019). Physical education and the art of teaching: transformative learning and teaching in physical education and sports pedagogy, Sport, Education and Society, 24:6, 611-623.

This podcast discusses human flourishing in PE. The discussion revolves around Jamie Brunsdon’s recent papers on this topic, and I’ve invited some colleagues for a discussion around this topic that was committed to by all parties at the AIESEP conference in 2025 after a great discussion. The star of the show is Dr. Jamie Brunsdon who is at University of Memphis. Also on the podcast are Obi Atkinson from SUNY Cortland, and Seunghyun Baek also from SUNY Cortland. here are the citations of the two papers we discussed:Jamie Jacob Brunsdon (24 Sep 2024): Human Flourishing as the Aim of Physical Education?, Quest, DOI: 10.1080/00336297.2024.2402710 Brunsdon, J. J. (2024). Toward the virtuous mover: A neo-Aristotelian interpretation of physical education. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 29(6), 588–600. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2022.2135693

In this episode Risto sits down with Dr. Ben Kern from the University of Wyoming to discuss an ambitious and practical initiative known as the School Health MAP (Model for Assessment and Planning). This collaborative effort, developed alongside colleagues like Wes Wilson (University of Illinois) and Hans van der Mars (Arizona State University), and Lisa Paulson, aims to help schools more effectively assess and improve their comprehensive school health programs.

If you’re a graduate student trying to navigate the exciting world of physical education research, I have some fantastic news for you. The American Educational Research Association SIG93 (a Special Interest Group for Research on Learning and Instruction in Physical Education) is launching a graduate student network. You can sign up for the mailing list here: https://yongjin-l.github.io/AERA93-GradNetwork/ They will be hosting monthly online meetups. These will be casual meetings held right after the main SIG93 webinars, making it easy to hop on. It’s a perfect chance to get to know your peers from other universities and build a real support system.Second, this network is a chance for you to shape the future of our SIG. Your ideas and discussions will directly influence the practical programming we develop for graduate students. We’re already thinking about creating a dedicated graduate student session within a future webinar or developing the “Invisible College” session, which is a pre-conference workshop at the national AERA conference. Your voice can help make these things happen!

This podcast is the first in a future series covering the AIESEP 2026 conference in Taipei Taiwan June 15-19th 2026. Abstracts close Nov 4th 2025. Here is a link to the blog that has hyperlinks to all of the suggestions from Alicia https://aiesep.org/aiesep-2026-an-introduction-to-taiwan/ Here is a link to the conference website where you can submit abstracts among other helpful information https://2026aiesep.org/

To shed light on the journal publishing process, I recently spoke with editors from some of the leading journals in our field: the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education (JTPE), Quest, Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (PESP), and Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education. This podcast covers the structure and scope of the journals as well as their views on AI, open access, and myriad other topics. The guests are: Erin Centeio, Ash Casey, Kevin Richards, Mara Simon, and Chris Hickey

In this episode, Dr. Nicolette Suchon from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse joins host Risto Marttinen to discuss her recent review on faculty socialization in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). The conversation explores the journey from anticipatory socialization to academic career preparation, and the challenges faced by early-career faculty. Topics include doctoral training mismatches, mentorship, identity-based factors, and institutional contexts. This episode is a must-listen for doctoral students, PETE faculty, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of higher education in physical education.Key Topics Covered:Faculty socialization in PETEEntry pathways and career preparationRole conflict and workload stressGender, race/ethnicity, and international identityMentorship and institutional supportGaps in the literature and future directionsGuest: Dr. Nicolette SuchonSuchon, N. S., Kinder, C. J., Slyvester, E., & Richards, K. A. (2025). Socializing the Professoriate: A Scoping Review Into and Through Faculty Roles in Physical Education Teacher Education. Kinesiology Review, 1(aop), 1-15.

In this first Scandinavian edition of Playing with Research, Dean Barker and Robin Lindgren Fjellner take the opportunity to find out more about self study of practice from New Zealand scholars Dawn Garbett and Alan Ovens. Dawn and Alan are at the University of Auckland. They have been doing self studies within teacher education and physical education teacher education for almost 20 years. Here are a couple of examples of their work:Garbett, D. (2011): Horse Riding 101: The role of experience in reframing teacher education practices, Studying Teacher Education: A journal of self-study of teacher education practices, 7:01, 65-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17425964.2011.558371Ovens, A., & Fletcher, T. (2014). Self-study in physical education teacher education. Exploring the interplay between scholarship and practice. London, UK: Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-05663-0