About the Authors

V. Gregory Payne

Greg Payne is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at San Jose State University. He formerly served as the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts and as Chair of the Department of Kinesiology. Payne is a specialist in human motor development, with interests ranging from aging and physical activity to children’s sports and fitness. He received a B.S. degree from Western Illinois University and later received that institution’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He earned an M.A. from the University of Iowa and his PED from Indiana University. Payne worked for the Venezuelan Ministry of Education as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Venezuela following his undergraduate work.

As a human motor development researcher and educator, Payne has produced over 150 publications, including numerous refereed articles and 18 editions of five books, and has made nearly 300 presentations throughout the world. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology and was a member of the task force that developed the NASPE National Physical Education Standards. The many honors and awards Payne has received include the Distinguished Service Award from the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the prestigious Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Research Writing Award for research involving children’s physical activity and cardiovascular endurance. He has held offices in several organizations including President of NASPE and Chair of the Motor Development Academy. He is a Fellow of the Research Consortium of AAHPERD (SHAPE), has chaired two editorial boards, and has reviewed for many journals.

Payne lives in San Jose, California, with his wife, Linda, and their crazy dog, Jake. Jake is the fastest runner and highest jumper in the family; some would say he is also the most well behaved.

Larry D. Isaacs

Larry D. Isaacs is Professor Emeritus and former Director of the Exercise Physiology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics at Wright State University. Isaacs received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he specialized in human motor development and also developed a strong interest in both human physiology and exercise physiology. Following four years of public school teaching, Isaacs attended the University of Maryland and received his doctorate in 1979. He continues to serve as a reviewer for many scholarly journals. In addition, he has published numerous scholarly articles and has authored, coauthored, and contributed to 19 textbooks. He is certified with the American College of Sports Medicine (Certified Exercise Physiologist) and was awarded Research Fellow status by AAHPERD/SHAPE. In addition, he has received the Wright State University Presidential Recognition award for research. More recently he accepted a position on the NASE (National Association of Speed and Explosion) Editorial Review Board. Isaacs continues to work part-time as a clinical exercise physiologist at Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where he works with both cardiac and pulmonary patients.

In his leisure time, Isaacs enjoys golf, photography, cycling, and playing with his grandson, Liam.