Human kinetics

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Human Kinetics Human Kinetics leads the world in providing information related to physical activity. That information takes many forms, from textbooks and their ancillaries, consumer books and journals, to online courses, software and audio-visual products. The information touches the lives of millions of people worldwide who are interested in some form of physical activity, including college students and professors, personal trainers, rehabilitation specialists, athletes, coaches, physical educators, nutritionists, parents, and sedentary people who want to become active.

Human Kinetics is organized into seven divisions, each with a purpose of either producing publications or educational programs. HK publication divisions include: Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (HPERD); Journals; Scientific, Technical and Medical (STM); and Trade. Education divisions include the American Sport Education Program, Aquatics Education, Professional Education and YMCA Education.

History

Human Kinetics was founded in 1973 by Rainer Martens, a kinesiology professor at the University of Illinois. When Rainer attended the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Conference, he wanted to publish the proceedings but could not find any interested publishers, so he and his wife Marilyn recognised a need and created Human Kinetics in 1974. Three years later Human Kinetics hired its first employee and published its first book - Physiology of Fitness.

Human Kinetics grew by reinvesting earnings and expanding into new areas such as coaching education. In 1984, the company began publishing educational resources for the YMCA, doubling the company’s sales. The following year, Rainer left the university to work full-time at Human Kinetics. That same year, Human Kinetics acquired Leisure Press, a sports and fitness trade publisher. As sales and opportunities grew through the years, Rainer launched the Human Kinetics subsidiaries in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

By 1990, Human Kinetics had sales of $6 million and 80 employees. HK expanded beyond print to publish video, software and online education products by reinvesting earnings in new technology. At the start of the new millennium, Human Kinetics had grown to over $20 million in sales and approximately 250 employees. In 2005, Rainer Martens sold Human Kinetics to his employees as part of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Today, worldwide revenues top $37 million and with 320 employees.

Reference: http://www.humankinetics.com/about/ , About Human Kinetics, “Human Kinetics.com”, [2008], Accessed on 01/04/2008

External Links http://www.humankinetics.com