PhD in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation - Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine in Edmonton Canada | University of Alberta

Health psychology and behavioral medicine integrates medical and psychological principles to study the connection between physical activity and wellbeing. Certain researchers in this field also investigate how sedentary lifestyles impact health. Founded in 1945 under the Faculty of Education, the Department of Physical Education was launched by Professor Maury Van Vliet, initially concentrating on intercollegiate sports and mandatory physical education courses for first- and second-year students.

In 1954, the department evolved into the School of Physical Education, achieving Faculty status by 1964—a pioneering achievement within the British Commonwealth.

Over the years, the Faculty has produced countless coaches, athletes, researchers, educators, and kinesiology professionals. Organized sports and physical training have been integral to the university since its founding in 1908, with the Varsity Ice Hockey men's team marking the institution's first elite athletic squad. The names "Golden Bears" (1935) and "Pandas" (1945) were later adopted, and today, the University of Alberta's Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics program remains one of Canada's most extensive, diverse, and triumphant university sports initiatives.