Colin G . Pennington | Tarleton State University (original) (raw)

Papers by Colin G . Pennington

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2024

The benefits of physical activity are immense and indisputable; however, the inclusion of Physica... more The benefits of physical activity are immense and indisputable; however, the inclusion of Physical Education Activity Programs (PEAP) within the college setting, specifically the University Undergraduate Core Curriculum, is largely disregarded and viewed as unnecessary. Increased physical activity has shown to have a positive relationship throughout the human development process. Health promotion programs should target people of all ages, since the risk of chronic disease starts in childhood and increases with age. In addition to the physical activity benefits associated with human development, decrease disease rate, and extended lifespan, physical activity has also been thoroughly researched and documented to have positive effects on academic achievement. Despite the evidence identified through the results of the research, PEAP at the college level are consistently being ignored and removed from university undergraduate core curriculum. The purpose for university exclusion of PEAP is unknown; however, addressing the gap within the literature may provide justification for re-installment; research has not yet identified the impact of PEAP on the academic achievement of undergraduate students. A positive outcome could be gained by increasing the curricular value of compulsory PK-12 health and physical education requirements.

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore how urban physical educators' experiences influence thei... more The purpose of this study was to explore how urban physical educators' experiences influence their motivations toward vocational persistence emphasizing health and fitness. Methods: Participants included 16 urban physical educators who participated in semistructured interviews about their experiences teaching in urban settings. For minority youths, who predominantly attend urban public schools, fitness rates are lower than the national average. Physical education has been discussed as a potential solution to combating this public health trend; however, considering Common Core reforms in public education by which health and physical education has been de-emphasized as a curricular requirement, scholars are pursuing knowledge of how the experiences of urban physical educators are evolving. Using occupational socialization as the operating theoretical framework, this study seeks to explore how 16 urban physical educators' experiences are evolving with the changes in public education, including administrative support and other indicators of marginalization and attrition. Results: Qualitative data analysis resulted in the construction of six themes which suggest that teaching students to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle remains a powerful motivator for urban physical educators' persistence despite feelings of marginalization and burnout. Conclusions: The authors provide practical suggestions for practitioners and scholars to overcome feelings of marginalization and lack of resources.

International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports , 2023

Physical education can play a critical role in helping children establish a foundation for an act... more Physical education can play a critical role in helping children establish a foundation for an active lifestyle. There is reason to believe the impact of COVID-19 eliminating compulsory physical education in the K-12 setting only exasperated the problem of increasingly physically unhealthy children in the United States. Much of what kinesiology and public-health scholars know about the fitness level of American youths are based on dated or retrospective data; FitnessGram has emerged as a viable option for revealing the present-day physical health of youth populations. There is clear potential for FitnessGram data to contribute to advancing knowledge about current levels of health-related fitness in youth. In this study, researchers using FitnessGram data from an independent K-12 school district in Texas, USA (ISD) investigated K-12 students' fitness levels and patterns after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicate students suffered diminished cardiovascular fitness levels during COVID years (2020-2021), but not diminished strength and endurance or range of motion. Findings from FitnessGram data advocate for quality and compulsory physical education and movement/physical activity in school settings, as well as the adoption of Comprehensive School Physical Activity Promotion (CSPAP).

Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2021

Journal of Coaching and Sports Science, 2023

Due to a limited number of informative articles available on collegiate rodeo and its athletes, t... more Due to a limited number of informative articles available on collegiate rodeo and its athletes, this work aimed to examine the relationship between anthropometric measurements and the physical fitness of rodeo athletes to add to the limited literature focused on the physical profile of rodeo athletes. Within the protocol of university IRB guidelines, 14 (20.86 ± 1.17 years; 178.2 ± 7.85 cm; 86.48 ± 21.39 Kg) male rodeo athletes at a division I school located in the Southwest United States participated in two consecutive six-week resistance training programs. Anthropometric data and fitness performance data from each participating athlete were gathered. The following data were collected: body fat percentage, lean body mass (LBM), vertical jump height, T-test, 300-yard shuttle times, barbell back squat, bench press, trap bar deadlift one repetition maximums (1RMs), single-hand reaction time, and multi-hand reaction time. Research methods included exploratory analysis-including means and standard deviations-to enable a correlational analysis. Descriptive data analysis revealed that the trap bar deadlift 1RM had a significant relationship with the bench press 1RM (r=0.874, p=0.005) and back squat 1RM (r=0.938, p=0.002). Due to limited experience performing resistance training, 1RM performances were possibly based on increased neuromuscular efficiencies-i.e., a 'learning effect.' This study offers new and unique information about the modern rodeo athlete, which can help exercise science practitioners design more efficient training programs.

Texas Association of Health, Physical Education & Dance, 2023

While kinesiology as a field and as an academic major has evolved and diversified considerably ov... more While kinesiology as a field and as an academic major has evolved and diversified considerably over the last several decades, the cultural and racial demographics of kinesiology majors remains fairly similar to the demographic characteristics of the early 2000’s and before. There is incongruence between the actual diversity of the American population in society and the diversity of the American higher education population. This disparate status is further extended to kinesiology programs and the subsequent subdisciplines. While the responsible systemic racial and cultural variables are most certainly worthy to be considered, examined, and corrected, this article will not seek to drill into such constructs. Instead, following the review and analysis of literature along this philosophical thread, this reflective article will focus on identifying the barriers and facilitators expressed by kinesiology majors and kinesiology-related professionals into higher education kinesiology programs and the allied-health professions. This article will discuss the importance of actively promoting kinesiology to diverse populations in the community. This article will amplify the message many scholars have echoed calling attention to a lack of diversity, as well as promote some effective strategies being initialized in kinesiology departments and among the allied-health professions.

The Physical Educator, 2023

While kinesiology as a field and as an academic major has evolved and diversified considerably ov... more While kinesiology as a field and as an academic major has evolved and diversified considerably over the last several decades, the cultural and racial demographics of kinesiology majors has remained fairly similar to the demographic characteristics of the early 2000s and before. There is incongruence between the actual diversity of the American population and the diversity of the population in American higher education. This disparate status further extends to kinesiology programs and subsequent subdisciplines. While the responsible systemic racial and cultural variables are worthy to be considered, examined, and corrected, this article does not drill into such constructs. Instead, this article identifies the barriers and facilitators of cultural and racial demographics as expressed by kinesiology majors and kinesiology-related professionals in higher education kinesiology programs and the allied health professions. This article discusses the importance of actively promoting kinesiology to diverse populations in the community. It amplifies the message of many scholars calling attention to a lack of diversity, as well as promotes selected effective strategies being initialized in kinesiology departments and among the allied health professions.

Journal of Learning Spaces, 2022

The concept of 'flexible seating' has emerged as a possibility to meeting the goals of an active ... more The concept of 'flexible seating' has emerged as a possibility to meeting the goals of an active learning classroom. Recent scholarship has suggested that numerous student learning predictors are enhanced when interacting with flexible seating. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by investigating the effects of flexible seating from a physical perspective in the higher education setting. Seventy-five participants engaged in mixed-method data collection and analysis strategies that included observations and field notes, a validated online survey, and open-ended question prompts. A thematic review and descriptive analysis revealed almost 80% of the respondents indicated that the flexible seating had a positive effect on their experience in the course related to the following themes: (a) Movement Opportunity; (b) Back Pain & Comfort; (c) Anxiety & Restlessness; and (d) Focus & Engagement. This research provides evidence that physically comfortable classrooms promote a sense of well-being, keep minds focused, and limit distractions, and that physically comfortable classrooms with increased movement opportunities for students make possible mental and emotional health benefits, as well. Results indicate the need for campuses to (re)consider the purposes and roles of seating styles within the 21st century classrooms, with seating selection based on principles of universal design.

International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports, 2022

Ideally, as put across by the Disability & Human Rights guide, the Convention on the Rights of Pe... more Ideally, as put across by the Disability & Human Rights guide, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) does not give a detailed description of disability but rather gives a wide range of features that intend describe disability. The truth is, despite being incapacitated in a certain way, people living with disabilities should be given the same opportunities as those without. Our separate literature analysis discovered that different efforts had been put in place to present equal opportunities for people living with disabilities. One of these efforts is adaptive physical education. As its name suggests, adaptive physical education is a physical education that has been adapted to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities as it is for people without disabilities. To this effect, this paper and its entirety will focus on presenting the different themes observed from the different pieces of literature separately.

International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports, 2022

Disability media studies articulates the formation of a new field of study, based in the rich tra... more Disability media studies articulates the formation of a new field of study, based in the rich traditions of media, cultural, and disability. Television, film, current periodicals, and other mass media are a part of our everyday lives. Attitudes regarding a variety of issues can be affected by these media, not the least of which are attitudes toward disability. Media is a significant part of contemporary society and culture and is subsequently crucial to our understanding of disability. The representation of disability in the media in the last ten years is pretty much the same as it has always been: clichéd, stereotyped, and archetypal. Media representation of and for the disabled has been recharged in recent years with the expansion of new media worldwide. Interactive digital communications [such as the Internet, new varieties of voice and text telephones, social media, and digital broadcasting] have created a need to explore the constructs of media and the media relationship with disability. To explore this topic, we asked the same questions posed by scholars, how exactly does the media interact with disability and vice versa? Does the media adequately reflect the lives of people with disabilities?

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2022

Test (APFT) (USAPHC TG 358, n.d.). The APFT was implemented in 1980 as the measure of Service Mem... more Test (APFT) (USAPHC TG 358, n.d.). The APFT was implemented in 1980 as the measure of Service Member (SM) fitness. However, this test is very limited in scope and failed to tell unit commanders how ready their SMs were for the rigors of a combat environment (US Army ACFT Field Testing Manual, n.d.). The APFT was a gender-based test that consisted of three events: a two-minute pushup evaluation to measure upper body endurance. The second event was a two-minute sit up evaluation to measure core and hip flexor endurance. While the final evaluation was a two-mile timed run, which was designed to test aerobic endurance and leg endurance. This test was simple to set up and administer but, it was not a good metric to judge SM's actual fitness in a combat environment. If a SM had good endurance than he or she would max the test with ease. This is not a complete reflection of what is required in a combat environment. In a combat environment the SM will be loaded down with a rifle, helmet, rucksack, plate carrier, water, and ammo which often exceeds 80 pounds. The new ACFT which is still being implemented into the forces as of the writing of this paper is a much better test as it has more events to it which measure soldier strength and ability to move while under load.

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2022

With numerous unique physical, mental, psychological, and emotional challenges associated with be... more With numerous unique physical, mental, psychological, and emotional challenges associated with being a university-level student-athlete, it can be assumed that student-athletes may be at great risk of mental health conditions such as burnout. Burnout results from the interaction of three different elements: physical or emotional exhaustion, sport devaluation, and reduced athletic accomplishment. This study sought to answer the following research questions: (1) Why do studentathletes experience burnout in their sport?, and (2) What can be done to avoid burnout? using standard qualitative interviewing techniques of a Division I Women's Soccer coach. There were two prominent themes answering research question 1: Perfection and Performative Social Media and It's a Job and Coach is the Boss. There were three prominent themes identified answering research question 2: Parental Influence, De-Professionalize Amateur Sport, and Value Athletes' Time. Where this work differs from other qualitative studies regarding athlete burnout, is that it explores the perceptions and opinions of a coach. The coach interviewed for this study clearly expressed concerns for his student-athletes and their holistic well-being. In addition to a continuation of scholarship through the student-athletes lens, more research conducted exploring the perspectives of coaches, parents, and institutional administrators in pursuit of solutions to mitigating the effect of burnout on student-athletes is of value.

Curriculum and Teaching Methodology, 2022

Physical activity is a primary focus, essential aspect, and significant contributing factor of a ... more Physical activity is a primary focus, essential aspect, and significant contributing factor of a healthy human lifespan; however, among the top 25 ranked research institution, only nine university required physical education in the core curriculum (36%). Of the top 25 liberal arts institutes, 17 (68%) include physical education within the core, but the general requirements were appallingly and limited to simply passing a swim test and/or enrolling in one or two physical education courses. Nevertheless, there limited incorporation of physical education, which illuminates an issue of ignorance towards the benefits of physical education and physical activity in higher education. The purpose of this paper is to describe the reimagination of activity courses taught at one midsized state university in Texas. The following agenda and goals were set: a complete overhaul of the activity program with the purpose of increasing enrollment and fitness levels of students at said university.

Curriculum and Teaching Methodology, 2022

Physical education standards, policy, and funding through physical education are vital to the wel... more Physical education standards, policy, and funding through physical education are vital to the wellness of an individual. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief history of public-school physical education throughout grade-school and the years of higher education by illuminating the backwards trend that school law and policy has created for physical education and American society. Particular acts of legislation provided guidelines for funding programs, such as physical education, in the publicschool setting. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) assures the accountability processes meet and often exceed the federal accountability system; Every Student Succeeds Act desires that local stakeholders take responsibility in a "well-rounded" healthy individual through public education. Although many educational policies exist, the common denominator among educational reform is improving the quality of education. The benefits of a healthy, physically fit future employee to an organization include lower health-care costs, decreased absenteeism, increased productivity, and elevated employee morale. Therefore, we recommend the education system adopt a flipped implementation plan for physical education.

MEDS Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 2022

Quality physical education is a form of public health. When done effectively and with holistic ch... more Quality physical education is a form of public health. When done effectively and with holistic child-development goals, the physical educator is simultaneously a 'health' educator. This article will provide an overview of basic and essential understandings of health education from a public-health perspective; exploring cultural influences and healththeory as constructs to be adopted in kinesiology and sport pedagogy. An overlapping view of their professional could streamline the work of-and maximize the effectiveness of-health and physical education practitioners in their practices, interventions, and community outreach approaches. Scholars and practitioners of kinesiology, sport pedagogy, and physical educators must make efforts to understand public health education, policy, and culture in order to enhance their effectiveness in the pursuit of their field's goals.

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2022

Resistance exercise is the performance of physical exercises designed to improve strength, muscul... more Resistance exercise is the performance of physical exercises designed to improve strength, muscular, endurance, hypertrophy, and neuromuscular efficiency with the use of weights (Braith & Stewart, 2006)[1]. Resistance exercise has long been utilized for its beneficial health qualities and propensity to elicit certain desired physiological changes (Fry, 2004)[2]. There has been a recent, and significant, increase in resistance exercise activity in American adults (NCHS, 2018)[3] attributable to factors such as autonomous compulsion and self fulfilment to extrinsic factors like health and physical appearance (

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2024

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 2023

International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports , 2023

Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2021

Journal of Coaching and Sports Science, 2023

Texas Association of Health, Physical Education & Dance, 2023

The Physical Educator, 2023

While kinesiology as a field and as an academic major has evolved and diversified considerably ov... more While kinesiology as a field and as an academic major has evolved and diversified considerably over the last several decades, the cultural and racial demographics of kinesiology majors has remained fairly similar to the demographic characteristics of the early 2000s and before. There is incongruence between the actual diversity of the American population and the diversity of the population in American higher education. This disparate status further extends to kinesiology programs and subsequent subdisciplines. While the responsible systemic racial and cultural variables are worthy to be considered, examined, and corrected, this article does not drill into such constructs. Instead, this article identifies the barriers and facilitators of cultural and racial demographics as expressed by kinesiology majors and kinesiology-related professionals in higher education kinesiology programs and the allied health professions. This article discusses the importance of actively promoting kinesiology to diverse populations in the community. It amplifies the message of many scholars calling attention to a lack of diversity, as well as promotes selected effective strategies being initialized in kinesiology departments and among the allied health professions.

Journal of Learning Spaces, 2022

International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports, 2022

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2022

Curriculum and Teaching Methodology, 2022

MEDS Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 2022

Universal Journal of Sport Sciences, 2022

Pennington, C. G. (2020, February). The Transition into Professorship: Beyond the Three-Phase App... more Pennington, C. G. (2020, February). The Transition into Professorship: Beyond the Three-Phase Approach to Socialization. The Southwest Educational Research Association Conference, Arlington, TX. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14908.18564

Pennington, C. G., McEntryre, K., Ivy, V., & Brock, J. (2020, February). Physical Education Prese... more Pennington, C. G., McEntryre, K., Ivy, V., & Brock, J. (2020, February). Physical Education Preservice Teachers’ Perspective on Teaching Health-Related Fitness. The Southwest Educational Research Association Conference, Arlington, TX. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18263.62882

The Southwest Educational Research Association Conference, Arlington, TX, 2020

Pennington, C. G. & Webb, L. M. (2020, February). A Chance to Play is a Chance to Learn: Integrat... more Pennington, C. G. & Webb, L. M. (2020, February). A Chance to Play is a Chance to Learn: Integrating Individuals with Physical Disabilities into Physical Education. The Southwest Educational Research Association Conference, Arlington, TX. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24974.51527

The purpose of this scholarship is to review the literature relative to applications of the Trans... more The purpose of this scholarship is to review the literature relative to applications of the Transtheoretical Model to exercise interventions, and to provide considerations for health professionals while using the Transtheoretical Model in their practice. The components of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change are parsed and analyzed to review their function and role in the model. In addition, the model is reviewed to determine the effectiveness of applying the Transtheoretical Model in conjunction to interventions aimed at increasing physical activity behavior. In general, results support the application of Transtheoretical Model for physical activity behavioral change, but not unconditionally. Beyond highlighting results of studies applying the Transtheoretical Model, implications and considerations for interventions using the models are also detailed. When acknowledging the multidimensional nature of the model, it is important to demonstrate a good understanding of how the various dimensions relate to one another and recognize how these relationships will influence intervention development.

Given the importance attributed to physical inactivity as a major public health concern, physical... more Given the importance attributed to physical inactivity as a major public health concern, physical education programs have been asked to increase the amount of physical activity children accumulate during class. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of a “fitness-oriented” version of the popular Dancing Classrooms physical education program piloted at the middle school level. Adjustments in the program included (1) an additional instructor training protocol focused on fitness contribution and outcomes, (2) altering the songs and/or soundtrack of the program with more up tempo music, and (3) substituting a traditionally less active dance (i.e., Waltz) with a prospectively more active dance (i.e., Salsa). Using accelerometer
technology, results showed a significant increase in heart rate, step counts, and vector magnitude of movement data when a “fitness-oriented” version of the program was employed. The variable found to be most beneficial in boosting physical activity output was the instructor training protocols emphasizing a fitness environment and time-on- task awareness. Increasing song tempos had a moderate effect on physical activity contribution, and substituting the Waltz with Salsa dance had no (or even less) impact on physical activity output. Swing dance recorded the highest physiological response as well as the highest enjoyment response. Females recorded significantly higher exercise intensity levels than males during the program. Focus group results indicated adolescent girls have the greatest concern about the dress protocols characteristic to the program which may be inhibiting them to engage in the dances more fully.

Introduction: Aerobic fitness is an important metric to consider regarding soccer play. Accurate ... more Introduction: Aerobic fitness is an important metric to consider regarding soccer play. Accurate assessment of aerobic fitness involves expensive equipment for profiling the metabolic response to graded exercise testing, which is typically performed in laboratory settings. The Pacer test, also referred to as the 20-meter multiple staged shuttle test, is often used as a surrogate of laboratory testing for aerobic fitness in field settings. However, the ability of the Pacer test to accurately track changes in aerobic fitness in youth soccer players is limited.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if changes in the Pacer test is related to changes in aerobic fitness following a competitive season in youth soccer players.
Methods: Ten youth soccer players participated in this study. Each athlete performed a graded exercise test to determine peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) in a laboratory with a calibrated metabolic cart and treadmill. Two days following the VO2peak test, each athlete performed the 20-meter Pacer test on the soccer field.
Results: VO2peak was 55.07 ± 5.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 at baseline and 55.23 ± 6.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 (p = 0.92, Cohen’s d = 0.03). Though the mean change in VO2peak of 0.16 ml.kg-1.min-1 was non-significant and trivial, a wide range of individual differences occurred as the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the differences was ± 9.1 ml.kg-1.min-1. The results of the Pacer test at pre- and post-season testing was 1500 ± 308 meters and 1772 ± 342 meters, respectively (p = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.84). The mean difference in Pacer results was 264 meters with 95% CI of ± 650 meters. The change variables of VO2peak and Pacer showed a very large correlation (r = 0.81, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed large individual responses in VO2peak and Pacer following a competitive season in youth soccer players. The patterns of variance in each assessment displayed a very large correlation indicating that the change in Pacer results was related to the change in VO2peak.
Practical Application: Based on the findings of this study, the Pacer test appears to be a suitable field assessment for reflecting changes in aerobic fitness in youth soccer players.

INTRODUCTION Body composition has been shown to be highly related to performance in athletes. How... more INTRODUCTION
Body composition has been shown to be highly related to performance in athletes. However, most of the available research has been performed in adult subjects. Thus, there is limited information regarding the relationship between body composition and performance in young athletes.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between body composition and performance variables in youth soccer players.
METHODS
Twenty-five competitive youth soccer players volunteered to participate in this study. Each athlete performed the 20-meter Pacer test, a vertical jump assessment, and an agility T-test. Body fat percentage (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) was determined with whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans. Correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the relationships between the body composition metrics and performance tests.
RESULTS
The results of the performance tests indicated a mean ± SD of 1,418 ± 332 meters for the Pacer, 57.2 ± 7.4 cm for the vertical jump, 11.6 ± 0.7 seconds for the T-test. The body composition results showed a mean ± SD of 20.3 ± 4.9% for %BF and 46.5 ± 8.7 kg for FFM. The r values between %BF and each performance test were as follows: r = 0.62, p < 0.01 for the Pacer; 0.61, p < 0.01 for the T-test; and 0.57, p < 0.01 for the vertical jump. The r values between FFM and each performance test were as follows: r = 0.18, p = 0.40 for Pacer; r = 0.30, p = 0.14 for the Vertical jump; and r = -0.43, p = 0.03 for T-test.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed significant correlations between %BF and each performance test. FFM was only statistically significantly related to vertical jump. It appears that in young soccer athletes, %BF is the primary body composition metric related to aerobic, agility, and vertical jump tests. Further research is needed involving a larger sample of subjects undergoing a more robust performance testing battery.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
In terms of the relationship between body composition and performance in young athletes, the focus should be placed on maintaining an optimal range of %BF. FFM appears to be important regarding explosive vertical power.

Poster Presentation: The purpose of this study was to determine what impact preservice teachers h... more Poster Presentation:
The purpose of this study was to determine what impact preservice teachers had on their pupils accruing the recommended levels of MVPA during their early field experience of a secondary methods course teaching using the Sport Education curriculum model.

This highly competitive practical session will highlight controversial issues in PE. You will be ... more This highly competitive practical session will highlight controversial issues in PE. You will be provided with strategies and resources that increase healthy and socially desirable competitive values within your students. Students will leave your gymnasium feeling like responsible citizens.

This activity session describes the origins and rules of Beep Baseball - a modification of Baseba... more This activity session describes the origins and rules of Beep Baseball - a modification of Baseball for the visually impaired.

Introduction Despite Lawson’s (1991) recommendation, only recently have scholars explored the so... more Introduction

Despite Lawson’s (1991) recommendation, only recently have scholars explored the socialization of physical education faculty members and doctoral students. Lee and Curtner-Smith (2011) referred to doctoral training as secondary professional socialization and found it to be more influential than initial teacher preparation. While research training and networking have been cited as important elements of doctoral training (Richards et al., 2015; Golde & Walker, 2006), less is known about preparation for the teaching role. We studied doctoral students’ experiences as mentors for preservice teachers in a physical education methods course.

Method

Participants included six doctoral students from a university in the American Southeast. Each was a mentor for three preservice teachers in a methods course and associated field experience. Under the guidance of a faculty member, mentors provided feedback on lesson plans and teaching behaviors throughout the semester. Data included in-depth interviews of doctoral students, mentoring reflection journals, and audio-recorded feedback sessions between mentors and mentees. Data were analyzed using analytic induction and the constant comparative method (Patton, 2015).

Results

Doctoral students spoke favorable about mentoring opportunity as they learned to teach preservice teachers under the guidance of a faculty member. They were able to practice observing lessons, giving feedback on instruction, and communicating effectively. Past experiences and socialization prepared most to serve as mentors because they had the requisite content knowledge to provide feedback. They also articulated different approaches to mentoring, which highlights the importance of intentionally pairing mentors and mentees.

Conclusions

Serving as mentors allowed doctoral students to practice the role of teacher educator in a safe environment (Casey & Fletcher, 2012). Close guidance from the course instructor focused their learning throughout the experience. Future research should further explore secondary professional socialization (Lee & Curtner-Smith, 2011) as it relates to preparation for teaching physical education teacher education courses.

This book informs readers and athletes of fundamental nutritional guidelines to enhance sport per... more This book informs readers and athletes of fundamental nutritional guidelines to enhance sport performance, and to reduce the likelihood of malnutrition and vulnerability to nutritional myths and concerns. It contains collected works from Sport and Exercise Studies scholars. The authors thoroughly researched numerous nutrition-related topics and their impact on sport performance and wrote chapters for this book aimed at providing suggestions and improvement strategies for athletes, coaches, health-educators, and other health and movement professionals – as well as any reader interested in improving their dietary choices and physical fitness. Topics discussed in this text include but are not limited to: plant-based diets, hydration and cutting water bloat, eating disorders, intermittent fasting, fat loss diets, ketogenic diets, juice cleanse, supplementation, the impact of social media, and more.

Other than individuals simply wanting to better their diet and sport performance, those who will benefit from reading and applying this work include but are not limited to: (a) physical educators, (b) health educators, (c) coaches, (d) exercise instructors, (e) personal trainers, (f) physical and/or occupational therapists, and (g) nutritionists. This is a practical guide and overview of recommendations and suggestions written by practitioners for practitioners.

Make it Count A Practitioner’s Guide to Enriching Health & Fitness Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities, 2024

Each chapter explains the fundamental characteristics of the disability and describes how educators, coaches, and facilitators of exercise and physical activity can accommodate individuals with said disorder and adapt and/or modify physical education, physical activity, and movement experiences for individuals with the disability under their care. Each chapter also takes steps in educating you - the reader - on how to accommodate, modify, and support physical education and physical activity experiences for individuals in need of adaptation and/or modification.

My role, as editor of this work, was to focus authors towards an end-product that has valuable practitioner-level application. Those who will benefit from reading and applying this work include, but are not limited to: (a) physical educators, (b) health educators, (c) coaches, (d) exercise instructors, (e) personal trainers, (f) physical and/or occupational therapists, and (g) other facilitators of movement opportunities.

While, as the editor and an academic, I had the opportunity to modify and revise the writing published in this book, but I have chosen to do so as little as possible. Rather, I choose to let the authors’ words be the published words for those who will read and apply this work. The main reason for limiting my editorial impact on the work is as follows:

I believe this book is in the hands of practitioners, not academics. As a professor, I often write towards academic-oriented publication outlets. My instincts lead me to write in that style. The purpose of this book is not to reach academics - it is to reach practitioners. Because the authors are practitioners themselves, they wrote with that intended audience in-mind, and I believe this work speaks most directly to practitioners as written.

Again, I thank you greatly for serving a noble purpose in your profession. The opportunity to participate, to move, to be healthy, and to be included is necessary within a holistic education and pursuit of wellness. Kudos to you for being a member of the ‘health and wellness’ team, and kudos for you to taking the steps to ensure everyone gets to play.

C. G. Pennington (Ed.) Enhancing Experiences Physical Education and Health-Related Movement for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2023

This book contains collected works from kinesiology, sport pedagogy, coaching, and physical educa... more This book contains collected works from kinesiology, sport pedagogy, coaching, and physical education professionals at the graduate level, as well as observations and ideas from the editor, a professor of kinesiology and sport pedagogy and former personal trainer and grade-school coach and educator. While enrolled in respective undergraduate and graduate courses aimed at enhancing movement, exercise, physical activity, physical education, and sporting experiences for individuals with disabilities, the authors thoroughly researched autism spectrum disorder, explored ideas to enhance movement opportunities for students with autism spectrum disorder, and wrote chapters for this book aimed at providing suggestions and improvement strategies for teachers, coaches, and other health and movement professionals. Each chapter explains the fundamental characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and describes how educators, coaches, and facilitators of exercise and physical activity can accommodate individuals with autism spectrum disorder and adapt and/or modify physical education, physical activity, and movement experiences for individuals with autism spectrum disorder under their care. Each chapter also takes steps in educating you, the reader, on how to accommodate, modify, and support physical education and physical activity experiences for individuals with autism.

C. G. Pennington (Ed.) Current Topics in Kinesiology and Sport Pedagogy. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-68507-187-5., 2021

This book provides an overview of current issues being discussed in higher-education kinesiology ... more This book provides an overview of current issues being discussed in higher-education kinesiology and sport pedagogy departments, as well as current research being conducted in physical education, physical education preparatory programs, and kinesiology departments more generally. Those who are served valuable content from this publication include kinesiology faculty, and college/university instructors who prepare future physical educators, future coaches, and future allied-health professionals and movement specialists, such as personal trainers, athletic trainers, physical therapists, etc.

This book is composed of an assortment of both qualitative and quantitative research. Some chapters include empirically collected data, others are more philosophical ‘think-pieces’ — representing an array of current issues, research foci, methodologies, and perspectives in the field of kinesiology.

Contributing authors hail from institutions all over the United States – ranging from Texas, Washington, Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama – providing a broad and rich variety of perspectives, opinions, and experiences in the field.

Each chapter is specific to an important line of research or concept being explored in higher-education kinesiology and sport pedagogy. Readers will find that most chapters do not overlap in particular concept, but rather they all generally apply to the advancement of leadership, mentorship, teaching and conducting research in kinesiology and sport pedagogy – making the book a broad overview of current topics and the status of modern kinesiology departments in higher education.

Nova Science Publishers , 2019

The aim of this book is to discuss the concepts, challenges, and successes related to developing ... more The aim of this book is to discuss the concepts, challenges, and successes related to developing character and moral decision making in students of a variety of ages. My hope is that readers use the information and suggestions shared in this book to improve their practice by emphasizing the elements which advances the moral decision making skills, social interaction skills, and intrapersonal development of students in their care. As educators, among our numerus concurrent goals, we must also recognize the great need to meet this meritorious objective and the powerful opportunity we possess.

This book presents leading-edge research and discusses moral development concepts from the perspectives of both grade-school and university instruction. It considers the unique learning needs of elementary-age children and the diverse learning environments of college-aged students, providing approaches to both contexts.

This book is authored by several expert university faculty members specializing in such disciplines as business, kinesiology, teacher education, and educational psychology. Other chapter contributors are young, up-and-coming prospective faculty members with fresh innovations and creative ideas to infuse into the discipline of kinesiology and education.
It is my hope that the contents of this book prove valuable to all those intending to make a positive social and moral developmental impact in the lives of youth students and young adult learners. Indeed a teacher’s influence can leave a lasting impact on one student and on an entire community. There is no doubt that our Community is in great need of teachers eager to make a positive impact. May this book leave you with at least one idea on how to do so.

Pennington, C. G. (2019). Joining Assumptions with Research: The Challenge of Defining Moral Character in Physical Education and Sport. In C. G. Pennington (Ed.) Moral Development and Behavior: New Research (1-12). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers., 2019

Numerous benefits have been associated with participation in sport, especially in school sport pr... more Numerous benefits have been associated with participation in sport, especially in school sport programs. Research shows that participation in sport and developmentally appropriate competitive physical education has laid the foundation for youth participants to develop life skills, values, and character beneficial to individuals’ personal growth in later parts of life; although some make the claim that positive character developed from participation in sport is not obtainable on any appreciable scale. An emotionally safe competitive climate developed by the instructor is crucial for student affective learning. Desirable character outcomes include fairness, enjoyment, and prosocial behaviors. Under the right conditions, youth can learn values through physical education and sport. Sport pedagogists agree that a key catalyst to social growth and development involves students recognizing and understanding acceptable social standards and guidelines presented to them by physical educators demonstrating positive role modeling. Although developing an environment where participants can learn positive moral decision making skills can be challenging, intentionally designed programs can make a difference in the development of students.

Pennington, C. G. (2019). Observing Positive Sporting Behaviors during Golf Competition Using the THOMAS Instrument. In C. G. Pennington (Ed.) Moral Development and Behavior: New Research (51-70). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers., 2019

Very limited empirical research sets out to investigate the impact of deliberately constructed eg... more Very limited empirical research sets out to investigate the impact of deliberately constructed ego-oriented climates on the application of prosocial skills and sportsmanlike behaviors in competitive settings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure certain behaviors related to sportsmanship using a systematic observation instrument, the hierarchical observation method for analyzing sportsmanship (THOMAS), on college students enrolled in an intermediate-level golf course. A secondary purpose of this article was to provide physical educators and youth and young adult coaches a tutorial on how to administer THOMAS. Participants were four Caucasian, male, university students (ages 19-21) enrolled in an intermediate golf course offered by a large university in the Southeastern United States. The four participants were divided in to two teams of pairs which played two rounds of golf. In the first round, the competitive environment established was task-oriented; in the second round the competitive environment established was ego-oriented. The principle investigator used THOMAS to record and compare both rounds for the volume of sportsmanlike behaviors the participants committed. Results of this study suggest the volume of sportsmanlike behaviors is linked to the task or ego climate fostered by the instructor.

C. G. Pennington (Ed.) Current Topics in Kinesiology and Sport Pedagogy. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-68507-187-5., 2021

Academic clustering occurs when a disproportionate number of athletes on a single team share an a... more Academic clustering occurs when a disproportionate number of athletes on a single team share an academic major. Clustering is a highly analyzed topic both in the academy and amongst student-athlete development practitioners. Scholars have largely only examined if the clustering phenomenon exists at the Division I level. Therefore, the current study aims to extend scholarly

C. G. Pennington (Ed.) Current Topics in Kinesiology and Sport Pedagogy. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-68507-187-5., 2021

This article describes the benefits of utilizing a newsletter assignment as an innovative teachin... more This article describes the benefits of utilizing a newsletter assignment as an innovative teaching-learning resource at the university level. I continue by describing an actual Coaching course which has served as a site at which the newsletter assignment has been practiced. Following the course description are actual examples of what practical academic and professional benefits are made possible through the assignment and occurred at the example site. The included appendix is an exact copy of student instructions for the assignment applied by the instructor of the Coaching course ready to be implemented by other instructors at other instructional sites.

In B. Bradford (Ed.). The Doctoral Journey , 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to provide scholars and prospective doctoral students a descriptio... more The purpose of this chapter is to provide scholars and prospective doctoral students a description of my particular academic path leading me to a doctoral degree in kinesiology and a career in academia. This purpose was met by reflection and recollection of meaningful checkpoints in my socialization, such as high school influences, college influences, professional experiences, and graduate studies. I recognize the impact of my family and pre-college experience as playing a role in my career choice and academic aptitudes. I discuss the role played by meaningful leaders in my life, such as coaches and professors, as well as immediate family members. I discuss ways I intend to impact the world of education while also describing the way my journey has impacted me, assisting in my personal development. I express what I believe to be sage advice for those interested in pursuing a doctoral journey and/or career in academia. As is the nature of socialization, I acknowledge that my particular points of view and subjectivities cause me to react to particular agents of socialization in a way that makes my experience unique to me.