About the Authors

Gwen Robbins has been a faculty member at Ball State University for 30 years and is the Assistant Dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Technology. She holds academic rank in the School of Physical Education. Robbins earned her MA (physical education/biology) from Ball State University and an additional 45 hours in the area of Gerontology. She earned her BS (physical education/health/biology) at Indiana State University. Robbins was instrumental in the development of the nationally recognized fitness/wellness requirement at Ball State. She has given many national presentations and published several articles about the fitness/wellness program including program assessment. Robbins developed the 500-Yard Water Run, a cardiorespiratory endurance fitness test for non-swimming water exercisers, and the AquaCircuit, a pool circuit-training program. She has received honor awards from the Aquatic Council of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and the Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Debbie Powers has been a faculty member at Ball State University since 1976. She is an assistant professor in the School of Physical Education. Powers earned her MA in physical education at Ball State University, and her BS in physical education from Indiana University. A former Division I college athlete, Powers served as the head women's basketball coach at Ball State for five years. She has also taught physical education and coached at the high school level. Powers' teaching and research interests include wellness education, fitness, nutrition, and weight management. She assisted in the development of the nationally recognized fitness/wellness requirement at Ball State University, and has given numerous national and regional presentations on the development, content, and assessment of this requirement. She has published articles and book chapters in the areas of basketball, assessment, and wellness.

Sharon S. Burgess has been a faculty member at Ball State University since 1976. She is an assistant professor in the School of Physical Education where she was honored as "Outstanding Tenured Teacher" in 1997. She earned an MS in Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis. She received an MS in Sport Psychology/Motor Learning and a BS in Physical Education at Florida State University where she was a Division I distance runner. She has coached track and teaches fitness/wellness, aquatics, and first aid. Publications include chapters on bicycling and aquatic exercise for people with disabilities. She has presented nationally and internationally on topics including teaching large lectures, aerobics, and strength training.