The 2nd KaSS Forum  (1) in WCKSS 2026: The State of Kinesiology and Sport Science

August 26, 2026    Afternoon 1:00 p.m.

Description:

The WCSS will conduct a forum on August 26 that will address the status, trends, and future of Kinesiology and Sport Science across various regions of the world.  Kinesiology and Sport Science have a rich history dating back to Greek times and have evolved over centuries through the study of human movement.  In the past century, Kinesiology and Sport Science scholars and practitioners have created empirical and applied achievements in various regions of the world within higher education and beyond aimed to enrich quality of life. 

Kinesiology is defined by the Asian Society of Kinesiology and the American Kinesiology Association as an academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. It includes, but is not limited to, such areas of study as exercise science, sports management, athletic training and sports medicine, socio-cultural analyses of sports, sport and exercise psychology, fitness leadership, physical education-teacher education, and pre-professional training for physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine and other health related fields.

The European College of Sport Science defines Sport Science as a discipline that encompasses the creation and dissemination of scientific findings regarding motivation, attitude, moral concepts, adaptation processes, performance and health of people who are active in sports or interested in sports.

This forum will explore the present status, trends, and future of Kinesiology and Sport Science across the globe.  David Anderson, Professor of Kinesiology at San Francisco State University and Co-President of the Federation of International Societies of Sport, Physical Activity, and Kinesiology will open the forum as the keynote speaker followed by six panelists from across the world (Asia, Australia, China, Europe). The panelists are:  Xiaozan Wang, East China Normal University, China; Koji Takahashi, Joetsu University, Japan; Nathan Reeve, Griffith University, Australia; Mary Rudisill, Auburn University, U.S.A.; Zsolt Radak, Hungarian University of Sports Science.

Questions to be addressed:

·         What is the status of Kinesiology/Sport Science in your region of the world?  How is it perceived by the public and within the academy?

·         What are the major goals and objectives of Kinesiology/Sport Science?

·         What are the major disciplinary/sub-disciplinary foci?

·         What appear to be the major research and clinical contributions of the field?

·         What appear to be the major facilitators and inhibitors to success in the field?

·         What do you perceive as the future trends in Kinesiology/Sport Science?