About Us

The Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAHPERD) is a professional education association for teachers, administrators, researchers, coaches, students, and other allied professionals who are actively engaged in and dedicated to the promotion of quality health, physical education, recreation, dance, sport, and allied programming in public and private schools, colleges and universities, and community agencies throughout the state of Indiana.

IAHPERD is an association of more than 1,000 professionals in the Hoosier state. The Association is affiliated with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and the Midwest District of the Alliance (MDAAHPERD). This affiliation provides a strong national voice for its members on professional and legislative issues and keeps its members and the public aware of professional and legislative developments.

IAHPERD's mission is to promote and support active, creative, and healthy lifestyles through high quality health, physical education, recreation, dance, and sport programs and to provide members with professional development opportunities that increase knowledge, skills, and dispositions, as well as encourage sound professional practices.

HEALTH EDUCATION: The program area serves health educators and other professionals who promote healthy lifestyles for all people. It encourages, supports, and assists health professionals concerned with health promotion through education and other systematic strategies and aligns with the American Association for Health Education (AAHE)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: This program area promotes enhanced knowledge and best practice in teaching children and youth physical activities through scientific study and dissemination of research-based information to members and the public. It supports the initiatives of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

RECREATION: Recreation programming supports recreation professionals--practitioners, educators and students--who promote quality of life of all Hoosiers through creative and meaningful recreation and leisure experiences. Our members affiliate with the American Association for Leisure and Recreation (AALR).

DANCE EDUCATION: The program area that seeks to increase knowledge, improve skills, and encourage sound professional practices in dance education while promoting and supporting creative and healthy lifestyles through quality dance programs. Dance educators align with the National Dance Association (NDA).

SPORT: This program area serves middle school and high school coaches who promote positive athletic experiences for adolescent boys and girls. Physical educators and coaches support the initiatives of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS).

ALLIED AREAS: This area supports sport administration and other health professionals who conduct fitness and physical activities to strengthen health, physical education, recreation, dance, and sport. The American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness (AAALF) represents their interests.