WOMEN IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY JOURNAL
The Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal (WSPAJ) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal devoted to advancing the understanding of women in sport and physical activity.
WSPAJ is the official journal of the Program for the Advancement of Girls and Women in Sport and Physical Activity (PAGWSPA), housed in the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
This established journal publishes articles related to women’s sport and physical activity across the full range of disciplinary perspectives. WSPAJ aims to facilitate opportunities for girls and women to enjoy and benefit from sports and other physical activities.
WSPAJ presents a body of knowledge readily and conveniently. Original research using varied methodologies as well as theoretical papers, reviews, practical articles, and commentaries will be considered for publication.
In addition, WSPAJ provides a forum for sharing information and encourages scholars to address issues pertinent to the concerns of women in the sport and physical activity community. The journal also strives toward an international voice, identifying common concerns of women in all countries and working to better communicate among the multicultural women of the world.
WSPAJ Webpage
Please visit the WSPAJ webpage at Human Kinetics for:
- eTOC and Ahead of Print Alerts
- Current and Past Issues
- Editorial Board Members
- Author Guidelines
- Subscription Information
History of WSPAJ
The Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal (WSPAJ) was founded by Marlene Adrian in 1992 and was gifted to the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS). NAGWS was a part of the former American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance (AAHPERD), now the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE).
When AAHERPD experienced structural and leadership changes in 2010, the leaders of NAGWS sought an outside entity to preserve the NAGWS legacy.
In 2010, the Program for the Advancement for Girls and Women in Sport and Physical Activity (PAGWSPA) was established at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness (CWHW). CWHW purchased Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal for a dollar and continues to publish WSPAJ in partnership with Human Kinetics.
Dedication from Marlene Adrian in the first published issue of WSPAJ
“Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal is dedicated to all those persons who shared the dream of creating a journal to enhance the visibility of scholarly and research activities relative to the world of girls and women in sport and physical activity. These persons were hopeful that such a journal would create a significant influence upon the lives of girls and women participating in sports and physical activity, those administering sports and other physical activity programs, and those conducting research in this area.
The Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal is designed to be a vehicle by which a body of knowledge can be identified more readily and accessed more conveniently. In addition, researchers and other scholars will have the opportunity and encouragement to conduct research pertinent to the issues and concerns of the female community and to serve as reviewers and editorial board members. The journal is also envisaged as another means of increasing the understanding and common concerns of the women in all countries. We must strive to better communicate among the diverse and multicultural women of the world and anticipate that we will be able to accept non-English manuscripts in the future.
Special acknowledgement is given to the Assistant and Associate editors, including Marianna Trekell and Toni Bruce who helped during the pre-planning of the premier issue. Also, I extend a special appreciation to the Editorial Review Board, Review Editors, and reviewers of the manuscripts.
May this premier issue be one of many. May the Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal be a stimulus for the advancement of knowledge and the facilitation of enhanced and increased opportunities for girls and women to enjoy and benefit from sports and other physical activities.”
Marlene Adrian, 1992
Today, Marlene Adrian’s spirit continues to guide WSPAJ.