JOHN O. SPENGLER, J.D., PH.D.
Associate Professor
Ph.D. in health and human performance, Indiana University (1999)
J.D. in law, University of Toledo (1992)
M.A. in recreation administration, Clemson University (1989)
B.S. in exercise science, Wake Forest University (1984)
Curriculum Vitae

Office:		FLG 190D
Address:		P.O. Box 118208 Gainesville, FL 32611
Contact:		(352) 294-1671 spengler@hhp.ufl.edu

Biography:

My research centers on policy issues relevant to community health and development through sport, and risk management and legal issues in sport and recreation. My research on macro-level policies relevant to the after-hours use of school recreational facilities in low-income and minority communities, and health disparities relevant to the joint and shared use of sport and recreation facilities in parks has been funded four times (as PI) by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Active Living Research program. I have also received funding from the RWJF to investigate correlates to physical activity in municipal parks in under-served communities. An important part of this work has been to translate and disseminate research findings of relevance to community health and development. A research brief and commissioned paper on policy issues relevant to childhood obesity prevention and the built environment was also supported by the RWJF. My research on risk management in sport has been funded by the American Heart Association (as Co-PI) to study Automated External Defibrillator implementation in Florida sport and recreation settings, and internally to study lightning safety policies and procedures in Florida municipal parks. Both of these studies informed policy and practice. I have also conducted an unfunded review of state recreational user legislation applicable to the school and community setting that has had significant policy impact, and conducted content analyses on case law relevant to risk management practices in the context of aquatics, playgrounds, fitness and other areas. I have published the results of my research in numerous national and international peer-reviewed journals. I am also the author of four textbooks and two book chapters.

Research Interests:

• • Active living policy and obesity prevention
• • Physical activity and the built environment
• • Risk management policy and implementation in sport and recreation

Classes:
Dr. Spengler teaches a variety of classes, with a focus on law, policy and risk management in sport, physical activity and recreation.