Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions from numerous expert reviewers, colleagues, peers, and student vetting team members for their time, dedication, and efforts spent in reading, editing, and providing feedback on this digital textbook. Without their invaluable feedback, this publication would not be possible. Further, a heartful thank you is extended to the chapter co-authors: your collaborative spirit and insightful input were deeply appreciated. Notably, the author wishes to acknowledge the endless energy eLearning Program Development Lead, Kristi Jensen, devoted to this project. Kristi’s vision was beyond helpful in translating the paper text to an aesthetically engaging digital document.

A driving mechanism behind this project was the generous receipt of the Partnership for Affordable Content Grant, awarded by the University of Minnesota Libraries to Brandi Hoffman (Physical Activity Program Director), Daheia Barr-Anderson, PhD (Associate Professor), and Eydie Kramer (author); for this, we thank you. With sincere gratitude, the author thanks Brandi Hoffman for her vision, passion, and patience in initiating and leading this project. In Spring 2016, Brandi invited a team from the University of Minnesota to join her in creating free and accessible content for students both within our departmental Physical Activity Programs (PAP) classes and outside the University of Minnesota community. Brandi truly believes that every student deserves the opportunity to attain knowledge without incurring additional financial burden, which often augments the stressors associated with academia. As such, Brandi actively pursued grant funding for affordable content and successfully secured multiple grants which will allow this textbook to be freely accessible for generations of students. A very special thanks to Dr. Daheia Barr-Anderson, for her encouragement and leadership as an excellent adviser on this project (and countless more) at the University of Minnesota. Daheia inspires those lucky enough to be in her circle to rise above life’s challenges, and to embrace a resilient and philanthropic mindset; this support is both a blessing a call to “pass it forward.”

I am hopeful that this content will continue to “pass it forward” to students within my academic community and beyond. Thank you for the aforementioned individuals for allowing me to be part of this project!

In gratitude,
Eydie Kramer

A detailed listing of co-authors and the review panelists are available:

Chapter 1: Physical Activity Foundations

Expert Review Panel:
Rebecca Feczer, MS
Maggie King, MS; Co-author
Zachary Pope, PhD; Co-author
Bonnie Reimann, PhD
Kristin Wood, MA

Student Review Panel:
Hanah Coleman
Ashley Creger
Madisen Hart
Taylor Helton
Cassidy Mullins
Kendra Noble
Kali Rasmussen

Chapter 2: The Benefits of Physical Activity

Expert Review Panel:
Maggie King, MS; Co-author
Zachary Pope, PhD; Co-author
Bonnie Reimann, PhD
Kristin Wood, MA

Student Review Panel:
Ashley Creger
Madisen Hart
Taylor Helton
Cassidy Mullins
Kendra Noble
Kali Rasmussen

Chapter 3: Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity

Expert Review Panel:
Jana Dengel, MS, RDN, LD
Maggie King, MS; Co-author
Kristin Wood, MA

Student Review Panel:
Ashley Creger
Taylor Helton
Kendra Noble
Kali Rasmussen