Scott McNamara

Scott McNamara

Associate Professor
Phone: (603) 862-1835
Office: New Hampshire Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Scott McNamara is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), where his research focuses on physical education, disability, health disparities, and rehabilitation science. His scholarly work addresses critical gaps in physical activity practices and seeks to enhance health outcomes for disabled individuals. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Dr. McNamara has made significant contributions to both the fields of education and kinesiology.
 
With over 65 peer-reviewed publications and more than 90 peer-reviewed presentations, Dr. McNamara’s research has been widely disseminated in leading academic journals and conferences. His scholarship is not only prolific but also well-supported, having secured over $1.5 million in external grant funding. Notably, he was awarded a $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education to support a graduate program in adapted physical education at UNH.
 
Dr. McNamara has earned several prestigious research honors, including the 2025 Helen M. Heitmann Young Scholar Award from SHAPE America and Reviewer of the Year from the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. He also received the 2023 Young Professional Award from the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, was named a SHAPE America Research Council Fellow and was awarded the 2021 David P. Beaver Adapted Physical Activity Professional Young Scholar Award.
 
Dr. McNamara is an active member of organizations such as the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America), the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, and the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity. Through these roles, Dr. McNamara efforts are aimed at improving the lives of disabled individuals through meaningful physical education and adapted physical activity.

Courses Taught

  • EDUC 694D: Supervised Teaching/Kin
  • HPE 500: Intro to Health and PE
  • HPE 570: Elementary PE Practicum
  • HPE 610: Elementary PE Pedagogy
  • HPE 655: Middle/Sec PE Pedagogy
  • HPE 694: Supervised Teach in Health/PE
  • HPE 781: Inclusion in PE
  • HPE/KIN 781/881: Adapted Physical Education
  • KIN 842: Assessment in Adapted PE
  • KIN 950: Internship

Education

  • Ph.D., Texas Woman'S Univ
  • M.Ed., Wayne State University
  • B.S., Wayne State University

Research Interests

  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Persons with Disabilities - Services For
  • Physical Education
  • Podcast

Selected Publications

  • McNamara, S. W. T., Pitchford, E. A., DeCoster, J., & Hooper, L. (2026). Exploring the Psychometric Properties and Associations of the Disability and Physical Activity Perceptions Survey. Journal of Disability Policy Studies. doi:10.1177/10442073261468721

  • Kim, M., McNamara, S. W. T., Strittmater, G., & Richards, K. A. (2026). Developing Content Acquisition Podcasts to Enhance School Administrators’ Support for Adapted Physical Education. Journal of Special Education Technology. doi:10.1177/01626434261471466

  • McNamara, S. (2026). Understanding Laws and the IEP Process. In Understanding Adapted Physical Education (pp. 12-23). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003638483-3

  • McNamara, S., Pitchford, E. A., & Case, L. (2024). Familiarity of Adapted Physical Activity Among Undergraduate Students: Personal Connection Matters. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 35(3), 175-184. doi:10.1177/10442073231185262

  • McNamara, S. W. T., Craig, P., Henly, M., & Gravink, J. (2024). Relegated to the Sidelines: A Qualitative Inquiry of Gatekeepers' Perspectives and Values of Physical Education for Disabled Children.. Adapt Phys Activ Q, 41(4), 573-592. doi:10.1123/apaq.2023-0174

  • McNamara, S., Healy, S., & Haegele, J. (2021). Use of Social Media for Professional Development by Physical Educators Who Teach Students with Disabilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISABILITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION, 68(5), 690-701. doi:10.1080/1034912X.2019.1699649

  • Moriarty, T., Bourbeau, K., Fontana, F., McNamara, S., & Pereira da Silva, M. (2021). The Relationship between Psychological Stress and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors during COVID-19 among Students in a US Midwest University. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 18(9). doi:10.3390/ijerph18094752

  • McNamara, S. W. T., Becker, K. A., Weigel, W., Marcy, P., & Haegele, J. (2019). Influence of Attentional Focus Instructions on Motor Performance Among Adolescents With Severe Visual Impairment. PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS, 126(6), 1145-1157. doi:10.1177/0031512519869090

  • McNamara, S. W. T., Becker, K. A., & Silliman-French, L. M. (2017). The Differential Effects of Attentional Focus in Children with Moderate and Profound Visual Impairments. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, 8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01804

  • Dillon, S. R., Adams, D., Goudy, L., Bittner, M., & McNamara, S. (2017). Evaluating Exercise as Evidence-Based Practice for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, 4. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00290

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  • Most Cited Publications